My wifes aunt has one of these trucks sitting at her farm. I`ve considered trying to make it a project truck and would like to lower the front. What`s the best and cheapest way to do this on these trucks?

 

Depends on the year.. 61-64 have a solid axle and leaf spring set up. To lower these you need a set of mono leafs. If it's a 65-66, they have twin I beams and you will require drop beams to do the job. All said, you will need about $700 to drop these "correctly", front and rear.

--Mike

 

1st off what do you mean when you say "one of these trucks" ? There are 3 different types of suspensions between 1961 & 1966. There are 61 thru 64, 65&6 and 4X4 vs 4X2. . . . which is it?

2nd best and cheapest are not mutually exclusive when it comes to technology. Best is never cheap, and cheap is never best, at least from the standoint of function utility and/or performance, including safety.
IMHO if you do it "best" right off the git-go, it's done & working from the start. But if you do it cheaply you may spend more than you thought you saved always trying to straighten out something that never really works quite right. . . .

FBp

 

"one of these trucks" means it`s a 61-66 ford pick up. I do not know which year it is exactly. I`ve never been very interested in pick ups but saw a pic of one customised and kinda liked it. All I know is it`s a tan longbed with a y block and a 3 or 4 speed tranny on the floor. I`ve never looked at the front suspension and it`s a couple of hours away from me so I won`t be checking anytime soon.

 

If it has a Y block it's a 61-64. I assume it is not a 4x4. That means it would have a straight axle and leaf springs in the front. These are cool trucks and you can do alot with them. The only limits are your wallet and your ability. I put a volare clip in mine. The basic route is mono leafs but all this gets you is lower. You still have old brakes and no power steering. If that is right up your alley then go for it. If you are going to want more from it then plan on a front clip. Suspension alternative have been discussed at great length here. If you do a search you sure to find some information. There used to be a long thread all about different front ends and the costs to install them but i can't find it at the moment.

 

Thanks man.

 

bigswede,

I don't know about the best way to lower "one of these trucks", but I sure as Hell know the best way: DON'T LOWER IT AT ALL!!! Don't be "one of those guys". It's a sickness.

 

I'm using a Crown Vic chassis to lower my 64. Power steering, power brakes, A/C, EFI. Got the chassis free, just have to put a bunch of hours in it to get the Slick like I want it.

 

Actually Bigswede, go ahead and lower it, raise it, chop it, channel it, or airbag it. Hell, chop the top off, put real wide tires in the front, and skinnies in the back. My point being, do what YOU like (as I did), and most of us will be behind ya 100% with whatever help you need. Keep it posted.

Jeff

 

Jethro man, I`m sorry to have offended you with my lowering question. You consider a customised vehicle a result of a sickness? Then baby I`m a goner!! Sad thing is that it`s taken me 36 years to see a coolness factor in a pick up. You see, I`ve never liked pick ups. I totally understand their usefulness, but never wanted to "rod" or customize one `till recently. Shoot I even turned down a `47 ford pick up as my first car, and it was a sweet ride too. Black, lowered in the front,sporting american mags all around, and powered by a 283 chevy with 3 2bbl carbs. Why did turn it down? `Cause it was a pick up! And to my then 15 year old mind they just weren`t cool. I figured I`d ask a simple question about an old, rusty,mouse infested, ford pick up I was thinking about rescuing from a field instead of letting it return to the ground from which it came from. Funny though, no one was offended when I lifted my bronco. I can`t help it though, modified cars are in my blood and allways will be. From junior high to highschool I had 2 mustangs (69 & 68) a 55 plymouth, a 56 plymouth, a 58 studebaker silverhawk powered by a 327 chev, black with chrome reversed wheels all around, a 48 plymouth coupe (shoulda kept that one) a 63 and a half fastback Galaxie 500. Most were modded in some way to my liking. It all comes from a simple thing called freedom of expression. It`s deeply rooted in the american way of thinking. Shoot, millions have been made off of this one concept, and not even in the automotive realm. Enough of my ranting. Think I`ll go watch "American Grafitti" and relax......

 

Big Swede,

I'm going with cobraguy here. . . .
It sounds like a 61 to 64 version of a slick with that "Y" block & 4 gear set up. However I will part with him on slamming the 4 leaf spring suspension & all.

I'd set the body on a later frame 1st of all. My 66 F-100 sits on a 79 F-150 Trailer Special frame for many reasons, power front disc brakes, power steering, upgraded powertrain combinations thru Y2K models, better ride, handling, parts capabilities and so forth & so on, etc. I run warm 460 and it's fairly "nasty". So the added handling & control of the later IFS set up is a must for me.

I'll offer you another alternative to consider. It is possible & relatively easy to add a front engine crossmsmber & radius arm brackets to earlier frames. That's gonna' slam your front about negative 3 inches alone right there. Add right tires & wheels and you can catch a couple three more inches. . . .

In addition once a later X Member is in, add intermediate or tranny "X" member & you can upgrade your power train too. The newer fresher power trains are IMHO a great & worthwhile improvement, unless you are bound & determined to remain "Box Stock" as some people do. Somehow I don't get that idea however. . . .

Whatever the outcome here, remember there is a world of difference between 1964 and 1965 FoMoCo F Series Pick Ups. Even though they outwardly may appear similar or the same they are far from it, believe me. But they all are, or can be "Kewl". . . .

So to answer your original querey, I'd tell you "Best-Cheapest" way is either a frame swap I mentioned, or X Member additions I also mentioned. The easiest is probably the addition of X members to your earlier chassis/ frame. When inherent improvements you gain are added into the equation you'll most likely agree with me here.

Anyway, that's my $.02 on the deal. I'll also mention I've had same slick since 1973 & it's on its' 3rd incarnation now. So running guys into the ground with my Truck is an experience I have enjoyed for a while now. Nobody likes losing to a truck especially an old or older FoMoCo truck, and even more so when an old guy like me is in it. . . .

FBp

 

bigswede,

I was just exercising my "freedom of expression". I got a right to my opinion, don't I? Just having some fun. Chill. Go ahead and lower the truck. Your sins are between you and your Maker.

 

OK bigswede I found it. It's in Articles/Specs on the toolbar look in suspension/steering. Start with part one and read till you eyes start to bleed. There is a ton of info and comments. Rich.

 

First of all, God bless America! What a great place that we can sit around and talk about our trucks. I own a stock 66 styleside! I try to keep it pretty much original. I will admit though that I wouldn't mind having the gas tank under the bed with one of those smooth fill doors in a wood bed. That would be custom. I also have to admit that some of those dropped trucks like pretty smooth. However I feel a personal responsibility to protect the originality of my truck. It is a personal choice. Although, I also have a 60 short box that I am thinking about changing up big time. It truly is whatever you want.


P.S . Jethro, you have got to love a man that is not afraid to share his opinion!



Take my advice, I'm not using it!

 

LOL!! My sins are many! Thank God for his grace and mercy. Peace man.