tips on installing front "dropped" axle?
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: San Diego
tips on installing front "dropped" axle?
I just bought a 2" dropped straight front axle for my 1955 f-100. I was told by one person that I will need different tie rods, and told by another that everything will go on just fine without any other parts than what is currently on the stock axle. Does anyone have experience with this?
Thanks alot!
Thanks alot!
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From: Virginia
tips on installing front "dropped" axle?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Mar-02 AT 08:52 PM (EST)]I have never done this, so put me in the catagory with the other guys you have talked to. But, I have heard you have to heat and bend the arms that go from the spindles to where the tie rod ends mount. If you move the whole spindle assembly up with the dropped axle, the tie rod linkage that crosses from one side to the other, may interfere with the frame. Like I said, check into this because I have no direct experience. Wherever I read this, they acted like it was no big deal to heat and bend the arms.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: San Diego
tips on installing front "dropped" axle?
I read the same article in a magazine, but they were telling you how to do a drop yourself.(heating and bending)This axle is made to have the same height as a heated axle, but it is new. I wish I could find that article. oh well, I hope to hear from someone who has done this.
hanks Franklin, you are always lots of help, wish you were my next door neighbor
hanks Franklin, you are always lots of help, wish you were my next door neighbor
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Elk River, MN
tips on installing front "dropped" axle?
Well, I have not done this either, but I did own one with a 4" dropped axle for the last 6 years. It seems to me that the dropped axle only changed outboard of the leaf spring attachments to make the wheel centers move towards the fender well. The tie rod ends still attached to the spindles the same and the tie rod still attached to the frame and steering without knowing where the suspension attached to the axle. I do not think you have to change anything but the axle itself to get the low ride height. I always had trouble with the lowered rear end. My rear springs would bounce off the bottom of the box on big bumps and the tire size was limited to P225/70R15. The front of mine was so low, I had to use a scissor jack under the axle to get it high enough to get a floor jack under it. Also I got tired of fighting the manual steering in the parking lots. I recently changed mine back to stock ride height with a coil spring front frame clip and a 9" axle. Pic's in my gallery.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Owasso Oklahoma USA
tips on installing front "dropped" axle?
RogerF100
'55 F100
Check with Bob's F100s in California. They sell dropped axles and can give you the info you need. They may even have a tech article on this. They also build custom trucks so they know what works.
I don't belive this but I picked up an old copy of Custom Classic Trucks to find the number for Bob's F100s and there is the article on Dropped axles. It is in the Dec 1999 issue. It shows Bob's F100s installing a dropped axle on a '56 F100. They installed a tie rod drop kit. If you don't drop the rod you will have interference problems.
Bob's F100s can be reached at 909-681-1956. Ask for a catalog.
'55 F100
Check with Bob's F100s in California. They sell dropped axles and can give you the info you need. They may even have a tech article on this. They also build custom trucks so they know what works.
I don't belive this but I picked up an old copy of Custom Classic Trucks to find the number for Bob's F100s and there is the article on Dropped axles. It is in the Dec 1999 issue. It shows Bob's F100s installing a dropped axle on a '56 F100. They installed a tie rod drop kit. If you don't drop the rod you will have interference problems.
Bob's F100s can be reached at 909-681-1956. Ask for a catalog.
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