lowering
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 8
From: Austin, TX
lowering
I have a 53 f100 thats stock, still has the 239 v8 flathead with 3 speed. I would like to lower it to get a nice stance but still be able to use it as a truck (ie throw a motorcycle in the bed). Trying to figure out whats the best way to lower it? Also not wanting to do a ifs or front clip swap either.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,849
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From: S.C.
For the front you can get a drop axle approx. $400, (3" drop) lowered front springs approx.$380 (2 1/2" drop) Mono leaf spring approx $400 (4-6" drop), Rear: place axle on top of springs may need to C-notch your frame (4" drop), lowered rear springs approx $400 (4" drop) flip the rear spring brackets (1-2" drop). I have a drop axle on the front & a TCI lowered leaf springs w/axle on top of springs in the rear.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 966
Likes: 26
From: Missouri
I have a 53 also that I want to lower a little but not in the weeds. You might give Mid Fifty a call. I am not sure the actual measurement they will lower the truck, but MF has what they call short and smooth but can be ordered with stock eyes. THe ones with the reverse eyes lowers more then I want to go and you have to flip the front hanger on the rear.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
I did a very moderate lowering on my truck as well. I took it down about 2.5-3" in the front and about 2" in the rear. I got my leaf springs dearched by these guys - http://www.sacramentospring.com/. I didn't replace the axle or anything else besides the worn shackle hardware. They also evened them out since my truck had a pretty bad lean towards the drivers side in the front.
I think it was about $215 a set which included the dearching, matching, cleaning, painting, and new bushings. They came back dead nuts on my requested measurements and level side to side.
I think it was about $215 a set which included the dearching, matching, cleaning, painting, and new bushings. They came back dead nuts on my requested measurements and level side to side.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
i'm pulling every other leaf out , gonna put a set of reversed eye leaves up front , extended hangers i the back and move the front spring perch to the top of the frame in the rear also . a dropped axle is just that . you are moving the wheels up three inches and the bottom of the axle three inches closer to the pavement , i.e. you are losing three inches of ground clearance so i hope ya don't mind speed bumps .............. also i am doing a no no according to some . i'm shortening a spare pitman arm so i can eliminate some of the bump steer she's gonna have with being set down a bit .
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
In reply to the question above:
No, I did not C-notch or alter the frame at all. It still rides pretty high too, most certainly does not have a lowered look. I know it does not hit the bump stops in front since the tie rod hits the exhaust every once in awhile and that distance is shorter then the spring to bump stop. In the rear I highly doubt its ever hit the bump stops. I've never had it fully loaded, but there is still plenty of space in between the two. You can take a look at the pics in the gallery. The pictures of it really early on show how it rode initially, and the pictures after it is painted are with the de-arched springs.
No, I did not C-notch or alter the frame at all. It still rides pretty high too, most certainly does not have a lowered look. I know it does not hit the bump stops in front since the tie rod hits the exhaust every once in awhile and that distance is shorter then the spring to bump stop. In the rear I highly doubt its ever hit the bump stops. I've never had it fully loaded, but there is still plenty of space in between the two. You can take a look at the pics in the gallery. The pictures of it really early on show how it rode initially, and the pictures after it is painted are with the de-arched springs.
