Hello all! I have a '56 effie that will be my new (slow moving) project, and I have a question re: lowering my stock suspension. I'm planning on a 3" drop axle in front..... out back Im thinking of moving the springs under the axle to lower it. Any of the members done this? What did you/do you think of the ride/handling? I'd like the truck to sit close to level, maybe a little lower in front than in the back.
Please dont tell me what an "idiot" I am for not "clipping" my truck, I just dont want to do it. If I want to drive something that handles like a car, I'll take my '69 Cougar out.
I've read the tech articles, would really like to hear from anyone that has done this to their truck. Thanks in advance!
Todd.

 

Hey there fiddy, and welcome! I'm pretty new here too, and don't have any technical advice to offer. I can't answer your (or most people's) question(s) because I have extremely limited mechanical experience on things that don't fly. I do, however, have 2 points to make that may make your FTE experience a bit more enjoyable and a helluva lot more informative. (All you "old, obsolete" guys please excuse me if I overstep my boundries, because I don't know the secret handshake either! )

1. Nobody's going to call you an idiot here. This is not some MTV chat room full of spoiled-brat punks who have nothing better to do on a Friday night than program viruses and pi$$ people off via the internet (BTW, I work swingshift. My wife and son were sound asleep when I got home from work. That's why I have nothing better to do at 0400 on a Saturday morning than pi$$ you off via the internet! ). This is a place for people who own and/or love Ford trucks to exchange info, talk about their progress, and answer questions from new guys like you and me. They don't answer our questions because it's their job; they do it because they're good people who love these old trucks and want to help other people love them too. To put it bluntly, kill the defensive attitude and you'll get a better response. Need proof? You posted your question at 10:something Friday night. It is now 4:35 Saturday morning and still no reply. Search my user name and note the times of the posts and replies. Also search the user name "77chief"; that's me too (long story). When I ask a legitimate question, I usually have at least 1 response within an hour or 2 on average. It's that way for everyone here.

2. Research! The tech articles are awesome, but don't stop there! Use the "search this forum" thingee and read 'till your eyes bleed! Chances are, your question has already been answered somewhere, sometime in this forum. Don't believe me? Read what the experts say on the post titled "old guys are obsolete". Also read "where's 'fenders?" I spend literally hours at a time reading posts that are several years old. Sometimes I'll find a guy that really knows what he's talking about and search everything he's ever posted. I hope the webmaster guys never run out of storage space and have to delete anything. As a new guy to automotive mechanics, I consider this forum the most valuable tool I own (and I own some expensive crap!). Like any tool, it's useless unless you know how to use it. My point is, learn this forum. Learn the search tools. If you don't find what you're looking for after you've done your homework, then ask the question. But don't cop an attitude about it. It always works sometimes.

I hope I haven't offended you...just trying to help you get the most out of this fantastic site!

Jack

 

Todd,

I don't like original straight axles because I like a smooth ride but if you want it to ride like and handle like an old truck who am I to question. I think the dropped axle is the right way to go. You will have less clearance problems going this route than you would using mono-leaf springs or removing spring leaves for lowering. As far as moving the springs under the axle is concerned you may have to consider a C-notch for additional clearance. The rear end in my 48 is mounted over the springs but I don't have the bed on yet so I'm not sure yet if I will have enough clearance or not. Good luck with your project...

Vern

 

Hey there Fiddy6! Welcome to the board!!!!
There are no idiots or stupid questions here, and also there are no "cookie cutter" this is the only way to build a truck mindsets. You'll find everything from pure restorations to full customs to racers here, so you'll get opinions, suggestions, and experiences that will be full spectrum.
I wasn't on the forum last night or I would have answered, Friday nights are a slow night around here. Most of tend to haunt this place weekdays during the day and work on our trucks on the weekends.
If you want opinions and alternatives it might be best to give details of what goal you are trying to accomplish and why that will get the most reponses. When you ask for responses like "who has done this..." it limits responses to only those who have done something that may or may not be the best way to accomplish what you want to do. Therefore the only responses will be from someone who has also taken "the road less traveled" or those who tell you not to do what you are planning, reducing the value of the responses.
I am not trying to "pick on the new guy", but since the thread has taken this momentary detour I thought I'd use the opportunity to give my take on it for your benefit and the benefit of others.

Now after that public service message I take you back to the program already in progress:
I for one find the beam axle suspension very workable and can be made to give a decent ride and handling. IMO the weak link is the steering box. If you haven't done so you may want to go to the top of the page to the grey bar and click the articles and specs tab. In there you will find Fergy and my article on improving the beam axle steering where were discuss the major options with pros and cons of each and detail what we think is the best alternative install.
As far as your lowering method goes, how low do you want to go? It's possible to drop the 56 3-4" with just spring work. That coupled with a 3" dropped axle and the front will be "beer can low" (can't drive over a standing up beer can with out knocking it over) The rear can be dropped a like amount with spring work and moving the spring mount to give the desired by most slight forward rake without flipping the axle. Flipping the axle will produce a deep drop that will be hard to match in the front and will require notching the frame for suspension travel.
The only reason I can see for flipping the rear axle is if you want a lowered truck but were still going to use it for hauling heavy loads so you needed to retain the stiff rear springs.

 

Oh, and set up a gallery with pix of your project truck! We're real men so most of us come here to look at the pictures, not to read the articles!

 

Ax has summed it up. Well said. (self note:I need a digital camera) Plug away with your project and ask questions when they arrive, and you'll gain a great appreciation for your truck, as well as for this site. No bashers here. Good luck.

 

Todd - Welcome. On my '55 F100 I have a dropped front axle with reversed-eye springs. In back the axle is above the springs. Had to C-notch the back - used a bolt-in notch I got from suicidedoors.com, then had it welded in later. Total drop is about 8 inches.

Truck rides a little better, the front springs have Teflon buttons, but I haven't shortened the front bumpstops yet, so occasionally it reminds me about the reduced spring travel.

Ax is right - upgrade the steering.

John

 

Welcome! on top of all that's been said, I'd like to offer one other thought; have you got the truck on the road with the size/type tires and wheels you will end up with? Simply going to modern 15" 60 or 70-series tires will lower your truck quite a bit from stock 16" with bias ply high-profile tires. I'm running 235/70 - 15 and the truck is quite a bit lower than stock. (of course, my springs have little arch left) Anyway, something to consider...

 

Thanks for the welcome and the input guys! I didnt realize just how tired I was last night... sort of left out a bunch, didnt I?

This is my 1st truck project. I do have an idea of the look I want, to be honest, I have NO idea what it will take to get there. I want the truck to be safe and driveable. I plan on the Toyota P.S. swap and front disks/rear drum pwr. brakes. Have yet to decide on booster under floor or on the firewall. Firewall with hanging pedals appears cheaper........ I like cheaper!
I have a pic of the stance/rake I like, I'll post it. Maybe some can let me know approximately how much lower the owner took the truck from stock. I will run 15" smoothies and radials. I dont need to get the truck in the weeds, but do want it down some.
Anywhoo, I have a photoshop a guy I know did for me. It's my plan for the truck. I'll post it, along with a couple pics in the gallery. Please let me know what you think!
Thanks alot for the input!
Todd.

 

Have you driven the truck much yet? Lots of us are fine with the stock (manual) brakes, stock (rebuilt) steering, etc. Once you go over to the darkside, there's no turning back!

 

The truck isnt running. It was brought here about 4yrs ago and stuck in a garage. The owner never got around to the project. It WAS running when it was parked..... needs some work now. It was a straight 6 truck, now its a 302 w/ a C-4.

 

Before you chop it up drive a good 53-56 with an original stock straight axle and stock steering and see how you like it. When they are rebuilt they drive easier than people realize. As the old truck owners were getting up in years they didn't want to spend the money on rebuilding components as they knew they would be getting too old to drive, so when we drive "Grandpa's" truck we think Wow these these things steer hard and have bad suspension!

abe

 

Fiddy, welcome to the board. Is there a story to go with the pic of the grill and bumper in your gallery???

 

Abe, dont worry. I dont plan on doing anything to the truck that cant be returned to stock. I think I'll be "putty grey" between the light and dark side! LOL!

El Cabron, the pic of the chrome grill and bumper are what came with the truck when I bought it. The P.O. bought them and threw them in the bed of the truck. There they sat for 4 yrs. I pulled the wrap off, wiped them down with chrome polish and took the pic. I couldnt believe how nice they were! I also have a set of fiberglass rear fenders he gave me. They're 3" wider than stock. I have'nt decided if I'll use them or not. I may sell them or trade them.

 

Have you checked to see why the bed has a twist in it? Is it just the bed or is the frame twisted?