Raising (not lowering)
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
Raising (not lowering)
Hello All,
It's been over a year since I posted; sorry for being gone so long!
I'm taking delivery on a '51 F1 today. The truck has had all the hard stuff done to it already; 302 with 3 speed overdrive tranny, Camaro clip, etc. I should be able to post photos later.
My question is related to the ride height of the truck. The Camaro clip resulted in the front being dropped 2-5 inches (I haven't measured it yet). The PO removed 3 helper springs to lower the rear to match the front. The truck drives and looks good, but I prefer the stock stance on these trucks.
I realize that I'm going in the opposite direction of most of the folks in this forum, but does anyone have any advice on the best way to go about raising the truck to more of a factory stance?
Peace,
-Doraville
It's been over a year since I posted; sorry for being gone so long!
I'm taking delivery on a '51 F1 today. The truck has had all the hard stuff done to it already; 302 with 3 speed overdrive tranny, Camaro clip, etc. I should be able to post photos later.
My question is related to the ride height of the truck. The Camaro clip resulted in the front being dropped 2-5 inches (I haven't measured it yet). The PO removed 3 helper springs to lower the rear to match the front. The truck drives and looks good, but I prefer the stock stance on these trucks.
I realize that I'm going in the opposite direction of most of the folks in this forum, but does anyone have any advice on the best way to go about raising the truck to more of a factory stance?
Peace,
-Doraville
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
If you can determine if the coil springs were cut you could go with stock height springs. If they haven't you could go with coils from a big block but it might adversely affect the ride. You might even get an inch or so using coil spring spacers. Also you might get some extra height with larger or higher profile tires. What size tires do you have on there now front and rear? If you are running 60 or 70 series tires you can go with the higher profile 75 series or convert to a larger diameter wheel. 
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,545
Likes: 8,225
From: northwestern Ontario
Do you know if the camaro suspension is stock or does it have drop spindles on it and possibly drop springs as well. I'd leave as is before I'd go to the expense of trying to convert back to original if it wasn't something simple.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
Thanks for the responses guys. I realize that I am in the minority opinion here (not wanting my truck lowered). No disrespect intended for all you guys with lowered trucks. I think lowered trucks look great, it's just that I personally like more of a factory stance.
I should be able to spend some good quality time with the truck this weekend. I'll try to figure out how 'stock' the setup is, and I'll post lots of photos.
Thanks again guys!
-Doraville
I should be able to spend some good quality time with the truck this weekend. I'll try to figure out how 'stock' the setup is, and I'll post lots of photos.
Thanks again guys!
-Doraville
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
Thanks for the responses guys. I realize that I am in the minority opinion here (not wanting my truck lowered). No disrespect intended for all you guys with lowered trucks. I think lowered trucks look great, it's just that I personally like more of a factory stance.
I should be able to spend some good quality time with the truck this weekend. I'll try to figure out how 'stock' the setup is, and I'll post lots of photos.
Thanks again guys!
-Doraville
I should be able to spend some good quality time with the truck this weekend. I'll try to figure out how 'stock' the setup is, and I'll post lots of photos.
Thanks again guys!
-Doraville
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FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,545
Likes: 8,225
From: northwestern Ontario
Thanks for the responses guys. I realize that I am in the minority opinion here (not wanting my truck lowered). No disrespect intended for all you guys with lowered trucks. I think lowered trucks look great, it's just that I personally like more of a factory stance.
I should be able to spend some good quality time with the truck this weekend. I'll try to figure out how 'stock' the setup is, and I'll post lots of photos.
Thanks again guys!
-Doraville
I should be able to spend some good quality time with the truck this weekend. I'll try to figure out how 'stock' the setup is, and I'll post lots of photos.
Thanks again guys!
-Doraville
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,980
Likes: 9,828
From: Rio Rancho, NM
I don't think you're nuts for wanting a more traditional ride height. In fact, its kinda refreshing to see a thread that doesn't include air bags or slamming it to the ground and running huge diameter wheels with low profile tires (it won't hurt my feelings when that craze goes away)
As already been stated your best bet is to make sure you don't have dropped spindles and to check to see if the stock camaro springs are chopped. If the springs are chopped then replacing them is fairly easy.
There is a small chance that the whole front clip was set up to be lowered, if thats the case then you are kinda hosed.
I'm running the stock suspension in my 49 with a big Caddy engine. I do have it lowered slightly in the front just because I like a bit of a rake.
Bobby
As already been stated your best bet is to make sure you don't have dropped spindles and to check to see if the stock camaro springs are chopped. If the springs are chopped then replacing them is fairly easy.
There is a small chance that the whole front clip was set up to be lowered, if thats the case then you are kinda hosed.
I'm running the stock suspension in my 49 with a big Caddy engine. I do have it lowered slightly in the front just because I like a bit of a rake.
Bobby
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 3,121
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I agree with Bobby, it seems like everyone is dropping their trucks and shoeing them with 20" ghetto wagon wheels. I like the stock stance, maybe a little drop. As with any modification, it's your truck and you're using your money and should have the truck the way you want it. I say, be different, and raise it and stand out in the crowd.
Good luck with the de-mod, hopefully it can be done without too much work or expense.
Good luck with the de-mod, hopefully it can be done without too much work or expense.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I don't have a problem with you wanting to raise your ride height to stock height, it's just the idea that you were touting the new suspension and all then saying you wanted to raise it back up, diametrically different directions? Raising an IFS above it's original design height after the fact is going to comprimise the geometry, how much depends on how much you raise it and how you do it. The rear springs were originally designed to carry a certain amount of load, not be driven empty all the time. Loading the bed to that design weight would drop the ride height. Most find that without a load the rear is too stiff and hops around a lot over bumps, so they remove some spring leafs. The net results of adding load or softening the springs brings the ride height to a similar level.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,053
From: NM
Doraville, Can you snap a picture of the subframe where it grafts onto the stock frame? That will be the first clue in what was done to it.
Clean & Classy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 20
From: Riverside CA..
I think the point here is, installing a Camaro sub doesn't in itself necessarily lower the front end. Something else may have been done that made it lower, and may be easily reversible.
Doraville, Can you snap a picture of the subframe where it grafts onto the stock frame? That will be the first clue in what was done to it.
Doraville, Can you snap a picture of the subframe where it grafts onto the stock frame? That will be the first clue in what was done to it.
I have never seen a Camaro swap done that did not intentionally lower the front end of a truck.(I know that doesn't mean it hasn't been done).
Now how about a little shoe on the other foot, and leave this nice darksided truck alone and go find some stocker to build.
(he said with tongue in cheek)
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,980
Likes: 9,828
From: Rio Rancho, NM
LOL
Bobby