Lowering block question!
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: San Diego
Lowering block question!
Hey Everyone,
Has anyone used lowering blocks to lower the front end on a '57-60 f100? I have the good ole straight axle, and was wondering if this was a safe/do-able idea? Any input is welcome, I am keeping the straight axle, and want to get the nose down, I have already removed some leaf springs...and a dropped axle is out of my price range.
Thanks,
Jack
Has anyone used lowering blocks to lower the front end on a '57-60 f100? I have the good ole straight axle, and was wondering if this was a safe/do-able idea? Any input is welcome, I am keeping the straight axle, and want to get the nose down, I have already removed some leaf springs...and a dropped axle is out of my price range.
Thanks,
Jack
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
Jack
No first hand experience on your specific application. The offroaders have used blocks as a low buck raising method for years. A couple inches seems to work out OK. Start using taller ones and the truck can spit them out routinely though. The straight axle will create a lot of leverage in the U-bolt area on a hard stop. I suspect an inch or so of block might work fine for decades. If you're talking about a big drop, I would save up for a drop axle. You have already lightened up your front spring pack, making it far more susceptible to the front axle wrapping forward from the leverage of say a 3 inch block
I'll be interested to hear if any of the old timers have first hand experience. It's too obvious not to have been tried a bunch of times.
No first hand experience on your specific application. The offroaders have used blocks as a low buck raising method for years. A couple inches seems to work out OK. Start using taller ones and the truck can spit them out routinely though. The straight axle will create a lot of leverage in the U-bolt area on a hard stop. I suspect an inch or so of block might work fine for decades. If you're talking about a big drop, I would save up for a drop axle. You have already lightened up your front spring pack, making it far more susceptible to the front axle wrapping forward from the leverage of say a 3 inch block
I'll be interested to hear if any of the old timers have first hand experience. It's too obvious not to have been tried a bunch of times.
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Freshman User
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From: San Diego
Hey 'Fenders,
Thanks for the quick reply. I am thinking that i want to lower the front, between 1" and 2". This should even out my ride hight. I am chaging my front tires from a 60 series to a 70 series. In the rear I have 70 series, so the drop is to keep from having a tail-dragging pick-up truck. I am off to the part store to see what they have.
Thanks,
Jack
Thanks for the quick reply. I am thinking that i want to lower the front, between 1" and 2". This should even out my ride hight. I am chaging my front tires from a 60 series to a 70 series. In the rear I have 70 series, so the drop is to keep from having a tail-dragging pick-up truck. I am off to the part store to see what they have.
Thanks,
Jack
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Central PA
if you do use them( i don't recomend them) use steel or cast iron blocks. I used aluminum on a suzuki samurai with a straight axle front and they cracked. And that was alot less weight the an old ford is.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: N. Vancouver B.C.
Jack, I have the stock straight axle in my 56 and the axle is under the leaf springs. Not sure about your year truck but the axle would have to be on top of the leafs (leaves?) in order for the blocks to lower your truck. I know I probably just stated the obvious but..
On my truck by the time you "flip" the axle, there really isn't anymore room between the axle and the frame to lower it anymore with the blocks. In fact, with some leaves removed, you may end up bottoming out the suspension due to limited travel even without the lowering blocks.
I am going to replace the main leaves with reverse eyes, take out the second leaf and maybe one more. Will then see where it ends up. I figure it should be about 2 to 3 inches total lower than stock.
I don't think you can get much more than that without a dropped axle or IFS.
Kevin
On my truck by the time you "flip" the axle, there really isn't anymore room between the axle and the frame to lower it anymore with the blocks. In fact, with some leaves removed, you may end up bottoming out the suspension due to limited travel even without the lowering blocks.
I am going to replace the main leaves with reverse eyes, take out the second leaf and maybe one more. Will then see where it ends up. I figure it should be about 2 to 3 inches total lower than stock.
I don't think you can get much more than that without a dropped axle or IFS.
Kevin
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Tucson, AZ
drop axles are not yet being made for us 57-60 guys. ive looked into a million things for lowering my 59 the cheapest way possible and havent found much yet.the axle is in fact over the leaf springs, but my truck (still stock height) only has about and inch and half or so of travel before its hitting the rubber snubbers as it is. im not sure if this is just because the springs are worn out or what, but this too limits my lowering options. im not sure how i can get it any lower w/o losing the little travel i have now. i know on 4wd trucks blocks on the front is a really bad idea, and i beleive in some states illegal. if you do in fact try this out, let me know how it goes though.
adam
adam
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From: San Diego
Hey Everybody,
Well as it turns out, I was unable to find any lowering blocks. I guess that it is a good thing. As it seems that the lowering block idea is out. I guess that I'll be searching for another alternitive...perhaps saving up to have my axle dropped. Or even doing something more drastic...IFS? Well thanks for all the help. I am sure that I will have more questions in the future.
Thanks Ya'll,
Jack
Well as it turns out, I was unable to find any lowering blocks. I guess that it is a good thing. As it seems that the lowering block idea is out. I guess that I'll be searching for another alternitive...perhaps saving up to have my axle dropped. Or even doing something more drastic...IFS? Well thanks for all the help. I am sure that I will have more questions in the future.
Thanks Ya'll,
Jack
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Post Fiend
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From: Iowa
Adam
I just assumed Jack's axle is over the springs since he asked about lowering blocks. I'm not aware how much travel you have on a 57-60 but if you are crowding the axles, you have to be a dropped a bunch already. Steering geometry is probably getting bad. You absolutely want to stay off those bump stops. Few things are harder on any vehicle than frequent bottoming.
I just assumed Jack's axle is over the springs since he asked about lowering blocks. I'm not aware how much travel you have on a 57-60 but if you are crowding the axles, you have to be a dropped a bunch already. Steering geometry is probably getting bad. You absolutely want to stay off those bump stops. Few things are harder on any vehicle than frequent bottoming.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
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From: San Diego
Hey Guys,
Sorry about the confusion, the axle is under the springs. I guess that is why it is not more popular to use blocks on the front of the straight axle. This is my first older Ford truck, and I am still learning my way around her. I have heard about a guy in Arizona who drops axles, he says it costs around $300 and will take a week. I guess that is the way I will get the nose down. Once again sorry for any confusion.
Thanks,
Jack
Sorry about the confusion, the axle is under the springs. I guess that is why it is not more popular to use blocks on the front of the straight axle. This is my first older Ford truck, and I am still learning my way around her. I have heard about a guy in Arizona who drops axles, he says it costs around $300 and will take a week. I guess that is the way I will get the nose down. Once again sorry for any confusion.
Thanks,
Jack
Senior User
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buy a dropped axle
Recently I saw reference to the shop in Oakland, CA that is still making dropped axles. I bought one there 20 years ago. Sorry, too long ago to remember the name, but it is possible. I would call Classic Performance Products in L.A. They would probably know.
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