Just joined and have been reading as many posts as possible. Just purchased a '61 SW, with spare tire mount on driver side box with indentation on fender. My box is not welded to the cab. I have intentions of upgrading to 4 wheel disc, lowering the front 2", lowering the rear to be just level. The 223, 3 spd., will be replaced with a 300, 11.1 CR, turbocharged, E 85, carb. AOD, with 4.30 gears. Getting the rear to match the front is not a problem. My lack of knowledge of parallel front springs on a dropped axle like this truck is stalling my project. I am quite aware of the CV swap, and would go to that as a last resort. Just kind of like that old school kind of street rod. Any and all advice will be welcomed. Thank you all, Gary.

 

Welcome to the FTE and the 61-66 forum look forward to see pictures of your truck.

 

Talk to these people. They know everything there is to know about dropped axles:


Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Dropped, axle, Axles, Spindles, kingpins, tie rods, steering arms, Guthrie, Oklahoma


I, too have a '61 Flareside. 302/C6, getting ready to do power steering and disc brakes. Not going to drop mine, though, I still use it like a truck.

 

OP, who has a Flareside, typed this thread in the wrong (1961/63 Uni) forum.

I asked a mod to move it to the 1961/66 forum.

 

Thank all of you for the help. I, too, posted in the UNI- body sub forum, beginners mistake. Using a dropped axle seems to be a little more involved than just replacing the axle. Dropped tie rod ends, shortened tie rod, drag link. The CV front cross-member is looking better all the time. I was able to find a few articles that didn't lower the truck too much. Use of the Police Interceptor front end seems as though it will only lower the truck 2", my target height. Really like the idea of mounting the engine onto the cross-member, to make the front end a drop-out unit. I have a feeling the drive train might need help, trying to set up the turbo system on the 300 CID engine. LOL.

 

I am new on site and was wondering if (Gary) gmriser, Old_Crow have done the work that they were planning on doing. I have a 62 F100 and I am very curious to see the progress on your trucks.
Thanks

 

I nave been waiting for the snow to come. Too many other outside projects that need attention while the weather is decent. Will post pictures when in progress.