Lowering question and update
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 283
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Lowering question and update
Hey Dudes-
Got my truck back after a complete brake job (all new wheel cylinders, drums turned, shoes, springs), hooked up my ebrake and added a new set of Monroe shocks all around. I've gotta say I am very, very happy with the outcome. I didn't think drums would be that good but my truck actually stops really well now, doesn't pull or anything. NOW I might go disc in the future, but after this I'm not in any rush. A shop around here totally gave me a break and is going to keep providing me with free labor..we struck up a deal...I'm designing their website, and designing their print materials, and I said.. well why don't we just trade our services, instead of me charging you and you charging me. SCORE!
I put the truck to a test today, I couldn't take my girlfriends car, and I just sold my daily, so I drove my truck to school 405/118 freeways with absolutely no probs. (Looking for wood to knock on)
Anyways, I really want to lower the rear, it has a very pronounced rake to it. Is there any downside to mono leafs that anyone has noticed? I've heard pros and cons about all. A friend of mine removed leafs from his stocks, then theres monos, and also springs like from mid-fifty/sacramento vintage that are reversed eye etc... a 3.5-4 inch drop would be pretty good I would think. You might be able to see the stance in my gallery.
Got my truck back after a complete brake job (all new wheel cylinders, drums turned, shoes, springs), hooked up my ebrake and added a new set of Monroe shocks all around. I've gotta say I am very, very happy with the outcome. I didn't think drums would be that good but my truck actually stops really well now, doesn't pull or anything. NOW I might go disc in the future, but after this I'm not in any rush. A shop around here totally gave me a break and is going to keep providing me with free labor..we struck up a deal...I'm designing their website, and designing their print materials, and I said.. well why don't we just trade our services, instead of me charging you and you charging me. SCORE!
I put the truck to a test today, I couldn't take my girlfriends car, and I just sold my daily, so I drove my truck to school 405/118 freeways with absolutely no probs. (Looking for wood to knock on)
Anyways, I really want to lower the rear, it has a very pronounced rake to it. Is there any downside to mono leafs that anyone has noticed? I've heard pros and cons about all. A friend of mine removed leafs from his stocks, then theres monos, and also springs like from mid-fifty/sacramento vintage that are reversed eye etc... a 3.5-4 inch drop would be pretty good I would think. You might be able to see the stance in my gallery.
Last edited by JoeSwing78; Oct 27, 2005 at 08:52 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Joe - Being budget-minded, why not go to 4 leafs in the rear (removing every other one) and see how that is? Then you could do 2 inch drop shackles if you want a little more.
I put monos on my 56. They are OK and weren't too expensive. My old springs were busted, so I had to swap them out, but I kinda wish I would have bought stockers and dropped leafs. I think the ride would be better.
I put monos on my 56. They are OK and weren't too expensive. My old springs were busted, so I had to swap them out, but I kinda wish I would have bought stockers and dropped leafs. I think the ride would be better.
Last edited by Randy Jack; Oct 27, 2005 at 09:17 PM.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,975
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Joe,
Glad to hear about your good fortune!!! Thats cool that you were able to use the old barter system to get the work done.
I would agree with Randy, its cheap, easy, and if you don't like it you can always reverse the process.
Good luck
Bobby
Glad to hear about your good fortune!!! Thats cool that you were able to use the old barter system to get the work done.
I would agree with Randy, its cheap, easy, and if you don't like it you can always reverse the process.
Good luck
Bobby
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Los Angeles, CA
After doing some more searching I found this
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...Leaf%20Springs
actually came up on a yahoo search, and the pics and info for taking leafs apart was in Mid-Fiftys catalog!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...Leaf%20Springs
actually came up on a yahoo search, and the pics and info for taking leafs apart was in Mid-Fiftys catalog!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
Joe, I lowered my rear by removing leafs. I had six to begin with and now I'm at four. It only dropped it about one inch. I'm sitting a little high in the rear and may opt to removing one more. It's pretty simple to do, you may find your U Bolts are too long and you can either put spacers between the shock plate and bolts or buy shorter ones. Otherwise, the job shouldn't take long.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
Be careful with using spacers - I seen one guy use some black iron pipe. He didn't get 100 miles before it crushed and his rear end walked out from under his truck. A flat plate might work, but not pipe used like a washer.
