I don't think I can do this. I only have 4 leafs on the rear. Pretty light duty. Im guessing the flareside box weighs less than the styleside box.

 

Lowered mine this weekend using the method that Jim outlined. It was a pretty easy and fun weekend project. So far I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I'm not sure how much it lowered the truck, but it's definitely a noticeable difference.

Thanks again for the help, Jim.

 

Seth, how many leaves do your springs have?

Do you think you need an alignment?

Looks great.

 

It isn't very difficult to reverse the eyes yourself..............A shop press is the only "special tool" needed. I find this the safest way to do it other than a dropped axle. You can also remove leafs as needed to get a plush(ish) ride.

 

FYI on reversing the eyes, I took the front springs off myself, then down to a local spring shop, they charged me one hour shop time cost $75, that was ~10 years ago.
Obviously if you do not have a local spring shop, then you would have to look at other options.

I really like the idea of flipping a leaf from the bottom to the top. I am going to do that for my rear.

More FYI, 1964 Mercury 6 leafs in front and 8 leafs in rear, and 99% positive this is stock.

 

I bought a 12 ton press for Harbor Freight Tools for $140. I do not need a press often but it takes me $15 dollars of gas just to drive to a machine shop.

 

My front springs have 6 leafs, the rears 5.

 

Nice job Seth. Thanks for sharing the pics!

 

I just counted all of the leaves. My rear has 6, and the front 4.

One of the PO's removed a leaf from the front though, so it should have 5.

The front already sits pretty low with the missing leaf, so I only used Jim's method on the rear. It sits great now, before it had a bit of a front rake.

Hope this helps,
Seth

 

jumping in, so my son can see some different options as it is on his wish list. thanks guys, good info...

 

Mine is 6 leafs up front and 5 in the rear, style side 2wd with the 292 Y block.

I know this is almost a two year old post figured I would comment on it. I am in the middle of trying to lower mine. I am very curious why a flip kit is only available for 65 & up and not for 64??? I was thinking of making my own flip kit. Just putting the rear axle on top of the leafs gives you a six inch drop. The flip kit was listed for by djm but is a quarter inch too short. I was thinking of welding on a shim or something. I just was really curious on if it could be done. I am thinking of just starting over and doing this leaf flip of #4 enstead. I have hardly no room for travel now.

 

Third times a charm!
So, after quite a few weeks of one after another leaf spring modifications I am finally on the right track. Lesson learned, research is key and this young buck didn't do his before I started trying to lower my truck like a ripping a condom open on date night. Couldn't get it done fast enough.

Round one: I did an axle flip. Literally put the axles (front & rear) on top of the leaf spring purches. This lowered it extremely, hints the previous pictures I posted. I would say 7-8 inches. The down side is there was no room for suspension travel. The steering was terrible. I would not recommend anyone doing this without proper medications being made.

Round two: Took everything apart again. I did what Jim said along with the H.A.M.B. journal link provided. I used a threaded bolt to run down the third longest leaf front and rear on a reverse arch to somewhat flatten out the eyelets bringing down the ride height. I ended up with about a 3 inches in the front and 4.25 in the rear.

Round three: My second go round was a good result, BUT I wanted more of a raked look vs the level look. With my stepside it is more noticeable in my opinion. I am putting 2 inch blocks to raise it up in the rear.

My whole purpose of starting this was I was tired of that tip over effect I got with every little turn. It rides alot better now, I have notice a little bit of bump steer but I only put maybe ten miles on it so far. I do have to realign it, the steering wheel is slightly off. I hope this helps someone, trial and error seems to be my way but man did I lose a lot of time doing this project. I finished it before Father's day and took my son out in his power wheels Mustang in an empty parking lot. Thanks again FTE for the assist.

--Anthony--


My son cleaning his Power Wheels Mustang. His is a future gear head.