Dropped Front Axle Setup
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New User
Joined: Apr 2008
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Dropped Front Axle Setup
I recently bought a 55 effy unseen from the other side of the country, (Australia) and have found that the vehicle has what i believe to be a 4-5 inch dropped axle. Fair enough, but the front end has not dropped accordingly! It has the leaf springs above the axle, but they seem to be rather straight to me.
Question is, should the leaf spring be under the axle?
And if so, would the existing shocks still be ok?
Another point to note, is that the wheels are centered in the front wing.
Any info/advice would be appreciated, Paul.
Question is, should the leaf spring be under the axle?
And if so, would the existing shocks still be ok?
Another point to note, is that the wheels are centered in the front wing.
Any info/advice would be appreciated, Paul.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
the springs are / were on top of the axle from the factory . i dont see why the shocks wouldnt work as i dont imagine the distance 'tween the top and bottom shock mounts have been changed .i once contemplated making a bracket { its been done before by a fella on here with one of the later trucks } to allow me to flip the axle and get it in the weeds . common sense , which is a rarity in my case , took over ond i didnt as i woulda had to modify the steering box , pitman arm , draglinks and tie rods , dain near everything on the front of the then one ton i was gonna do it too .not to mention the lovely pothole strewn roads we got around here . 
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Welcome to FTE!
Are you sure the truck has a dropped axle? A 4-5 inch dropped axle would put the front end very low even with the springs above the axle. The front springs in these old trucks have very little arch in them so they would tend to appear rather straight. I would think a 4-5 inch dropped axle would require shorter than stock shocks.
Are you sure the truck has a dropped axle? A 4-5 inch dropped axle would put the front end very low even with the springs above the axle. The front springs in these old trucks have very little arch in them so they would tend to appear rather straight. I would think a 4-5 inch dropped axle would require shorter than stock shocks.
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 257
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From: Kingsford, MI
I think this is the answer. The factory "sraight axle" is'nt really straight. Its got just about a 3.5/4 inch "drop" in it from the factory.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
A 4-5" drop over stock would indeed be nearly dragging on the ground, and the tierod would be sitting on the springs. Count the number of leafs in the front springs and measure the wheelbase to determine what suspension mods may have been made. If there are less than 7 leafs each side the stack has been softened (4 leafs left is the most common DIY spring softening/lowering) or replaced. If the truck has a 6' bed, then the stock wheelbase would measure 110", if the axle has been moved forwards to center the front wheels the wheelbase will measure 111-112" depending on how it was moved.
Softening by removing leafs or replacing the springs with a softer set of lowering springs would be much better than using a deep drop or flipping the axle, and I don't know that flipping the axle would pass your construction inspection.
Softening by removing leafs or replacing the springs with a softer set of lowering springs would be much better than using a deep drop or flipping the axle, and I don't know that flipping the axle would pass your construction inspection.
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