Hey all, Im new to the site and was hoping I could get some help.

i have inherited a 64 f100 from my gpa. He built it to what it is now. He put in a 425 cadillac w/a turbo 400 trans and the caddy rearend. (id prefer a Ford setup but maybe some year) Anyhow i want to lower the suspension front and rear. The rear, is it possible to just take the leaf springs and put them below the axles rather than above them? Then the front what can you do or find or what. The staight axle isnt very far off the ground and I have been told to do the same with the front as I mentioned for the back but the clearance issues. I dont think it will clear. I dont know where to look and all the magazines I have looked in dont say much for this style trucks. You can find whatever you want for 50-56 f100. This is the only pic I have of the truck until the snow is gone. Any help is very much appreciated.

 

Sorry about your GPA, but that truck is definately something you can look at daily and remember him by. Garbz is a regular and will probably chime in. There is a company in Arizona I believe that you can send you I-beam front end to and have it stretched to lower the front 3 inches. There is also a Dakota truck independent front suspension you can order. I lost my computer a year ago with all my favorites I had saved. Another option for the front would be a mono leaf spring that would drop it some. The amount is what I can't remember. On the rear you can do the mono leaf. I'm not sure about the flipping the axel since its non-original, but I would guess you could still do it. You would have to weld/bolt in a notch in the frame so the axel does not bottom out. Someone much smarter will be here shortly. Glad to hear your keeping her and not just selling it and spending the money on something stupid. Come back and share pics of the upgrades you make.

later

 

Sharp looking ride. I lowered the rear of mine buy removing (i believe) 3 springs. I think my truck may have had leafs added to the springs, cuz it had like 6 0r 7 springs, with 2 overloads. I removed one of the overloads, and i think every other leaf in the spring pack. I think it lowered it 2 or 3 inches, and it still rides good. Prolly better. And the pickup has the big shocks with overload springs on them, so it still has a little bit of capacity. It actually made it ride better to have them on there. As far as the front, you can try to remove a leaf and see what happens. And another idea, run a slightly shorter tire up front. You don't want to get crazy, or it will look dumb, but if it has a 70 series tire on the front, drop to a 65 series. You could drop maybe half an inch. I am using an aerostar front end on mine, which is about a 3 inch drop, but the oil pan on that big ole caddy may not clear.


ROb

 

A cheap and easy way is the 03 -07 crown vic front end . I just did my 64 sunday afternoon . (see the thread on 68 - 72 trucks )

I picked the frontend up for $250 and have 12" disc brakes , rack n pinion , and lowered it approximately 7 " . (the thread said that it would drop the I-beam frontend 5" ) It was easy to install also ! We had the motor and front sheetmetal removed before rolling the truck in the garage and 35 minutes later we had the old front off and the new front aligned and drilling holes . (4 bolts and 2 alignment holes through the frame and it was in .) And I wouldnt worry about the extra weight of the caddy drivetrain too much I ve heard of others putting 460 on this front with no problems . (oil pan clearance may be a problem )


As for the rear the thread said that the frame would need to be notched if the rearend was put over the springs . (but this was a 66 and up frame ) I got a 96 mark 8 IRS that Im going to try to install in the rear . I will let you know how that works out by the end of the week . I bought the irs rearend (and the whole car for $350 ) with 90,000 miles on it . When Im done this will be the highest milage part on the drivetrain .

Sorry if I hijacked the thread but Im very impressed with the ease and simplicity of this cv swap and feel that this is a swap that anyone can do ! Check into it I believe you will be impressed also . Thanks RG

 

I have heard good things about the crown vic swap also. Yeah, you can have your original front axle modified for the drop, and I am not sure, but I think it is several hundred dollars. And what do you have? A lowered truck that still doesn't stop or turn worth a crap. If you are gonna dump that much money in something, you might as well as improve it all around. There are no shortage of options. Just research and pick your favorite.

ROb

 

My axles are both sitting on the top (inside) of my leaves. Aperson so inclined could simply extend any alingnment pins for the axles and shove a 1-2" shim in between the top of the spring and the axle tube. you will have to move the shock mounts to a original length. Watch for tire clearence and dont plan on hauling a ton in it. this is a very cheep, less than $100 if you can weld, mod. Make sure you re-set the tire limit stops or you'll burn your tires on the frame.

Nice, very nice truck by the way. I love the color.

 

Where in SD are you?

I live in Wahpeton ND.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I will look into it and see what I can do. On a very limited budget right now so maybe i can get ideas rounded up and can go from there. The info is very much appreciated.

flipklos I am south of sioux falls.

 

Hey flipklos, got any pics of your truck with it lowered like that? Love to see what it looks like...

Thanks --Matt

 

I got pics but they were takin with 35mm film. Ive no clue how to put a picture on the internet. Id love to show you one but I'm a tard.

I have thought of getting a cheep digital camera and learning how. as Ive some stuff to put on the net.

Shes ragoon red/whimbledon wht top, no exterior rust, 1964 lwb styleside,
Shes not a custom cab but does have complete side moulding. and a very smashed tailgate.

 

Another option for these old trucks is the Aerostar fronts...From my understanding, it should drop the truck 3-5in...unless you want to notch the bottom of your frame for more drop..I shot a video of a guy that used this clip..he now makes and sells a kit, to make the installation cleaner/easier..
You basically weld the crossmember to the bottom of the frame..then his kit is used to fully enclose it in around the frame, and adds a place for the upper control arm mounts..Here is the video..
YouTube - HillBillyF100's Channel
PM me if you might be interested in the kit..
scr8pin

 

Cool on the aerostar front. Still havent got anywhere on it but someday

 

I think your front end choice all depends on budget, availabilty and your desired ride height...That is one thing about the aerostar that keeps it from being as "popular" as many other swaps, you really don't get that "slammed in the weeds" lowered stance..I think it only drops it like 3-5inches...(but, they are supposed to be "bagged" easily..I think it is one of the easier ones though..
Kepp us posted, when you decide to swap..

 

Yeah I dont want it slammed to the ground. I just want to have a nice streetrod looking stance if you know wat I mean. I will have to see bout getting some pics on here of wat I am wanting for a stance. I have a buddy that picked up a 3/4 ton two wheel drive ford, I believe its a 62. He is going to jerry rig up a early 90s grand marquies. Will have to see how that goes. I think he is just doing it and planning on selling it.

 

From the picture you have, Your grill is a 62 post the VIN and someone here will decipher it. Does your buddies grill look like yours?
I've got a Volare front under my 64 with the rear springs under and c-notched.