Lowering on a dime..
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
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Lowering on a dime..
Hello all
First of I want to say that this truck is not going to be any kind of show truck or daily driver, just something "functional" for when I want something with a bed to haul some wood.
With that being said, I need the cheapest, lowest and easiest ride I can get. what is possible?
and thanks in advance, I know this sounds dumb but just easier to be straight forward then to go into detail about everything .
First of I want to say that this truck is not going to be any kind of show truck or daily driver, just something "functional" for when I want something with a bed to haul some wood.
With that being said, I need the cheapest, lowest and easiest ride I can get. what is possible?
and thanks in advance, I know this sounds dumb but just easier to be straight forward then to go into detail about everything .
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
There's cheap and then there's CHEAP. I believe the better approach (or question) would be what components and methods would provide the best value in terms of time, money, and effort.
With that said..... For the rear, look into LMC's Hanger and Shackle Set ($260)
... or if you can fabricate do an axle flip with or without lowering blocks.
Fronts - Cut the front coils but that can throw the alignment out of whack and cause more headaches than its worth. A better solution for ease and ride quality is a pair of drop beams.
Want to go lower? Install smaller diameter tires. Instead of 70 series tires go with an aspect ratio of 60 or lower.
Your call.
P
With that said..... For the rear, look into LMC's Hanger and Shackle Set ($260)
... or if you can fabricate do an axle flip with or without lowering blocks.
Fronts - Cut the front coils but that can throw the alignment out of whack and cause more headaches than its worth. A better solution for ease and ride quality is a pair of drop beams.
Want to go lower? Install smaller diameter tires. Instead of 70 series tires go with an aspect ratio of 60 or lower.
Your call.
P
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
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Lowering is just for looks, has nothing to do with anything else.
I don't think cutting the springs would give enough of a drop. But maybe some combination might workk. Is there anything lower then I
I think the rear would be the easier of the two and I could always notch the frame to go lower.
A therere any springs that are shorter that I could replace the fronts with?
I don't think cutting the springs would give enough of a drop. But maybe some combination might workk. Is there anything lower then I
I think the rear would be the easier of the two and I could always notch the frame to go lower.
A therere any springs that are shorter that I could replace the fronts with?
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 23
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Lowering is just for looks, has nothing to do with anything else.
I don't think cutting the springs would give enough of a drop. But maybe some combination might workk. Is there anything lower then I
I think the rear would be the easier of the two and I could always notch the frame to go lower.
A therere any springs that are shorter that I could replace the fronts with?
I don't think cutting the springs would give enough of a drop. But maybe some combination might workk. Is there anything lower then I
I think the rear would be the easier of the two and I could always notch the frame to go lower.
A therere any springs that are shorter that I could replace the fronts with?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
You can buy new springs for about $75 and cut them to lower the truck, but like has already been mentioned that throws off the camber because of the I-beam suspension.
There is no cheap (inexpensive) way to get the front of these trucks extremely low because of fabrication and/or $500 drop I-beams. You need the $500 I-beams to even get moderately low (3"). Cut springs can get you about 2" of lowering, but you still have to find an alignment shop that knows how to bend the beams to correct the camber issues you've created.
A lot of guys on here have cut coils to lower their trucks and they look good, I've been highly highly considering it for my truck but haven't done it yet, until I finally buy the drop I-beams. $500 is a lot to me, it may not be to some people on here, but it is to me. I just don't know about dropping that much money at once on a truck that isn't my daily driver.
There is no cheap (inexpensive) way to get the front of these trucks extremely low because of fabrication and/or $500 drop I-beams. You need the $500 I-beams to even get moderately low (3"). Cut springs can get you about 2" of lowering, but you still have to find an alignment shop that knows how to bend the beams to correct the camber issues you've created.
A lot of guys on here have cut coils to lower their trucks and they look good, I've been highly highly considering it for my truck but haven't done it yet, until I finally buy the drop I-beams. $500 is a lot to me, it may not be to some people on here, but it is to me. I just don't know about dropping that much money at once on a truck that isn't my daily driver.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 40
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You can buy new springs for about $75 and cut them to lower the truck, but like has already been mentioned that throws off the camber because of the I-beam suspension.
There is no cheap (inexpensive) way to get the front of these trucks extremely low because of fabrication and/or $500 drop I-beams. You need the $500 I-beams to even get moderately low (3"). Cut springs can get you about 2" of lowering, but you still have to find an alignment shop that knows how to bend the beams to correct the camber issues you've created.
A lot of guys on here have cut coils to lower their trucks and they look good, I've been highly highly considering it for my truck but haven't done it yet, until I finally buy the drop I-beams. $500 is a lot to me, it may not be to some people on here, but it is to me. I just don't know about dropping that much money at once on a truck that isn't my daily driver.
There is no cheap (inexpensive) way to get the front of these trucks extremely low because of fabrication and/or $500 drop I-beams. You need the $500 I-beams to even get moderately low (3"). Cut springs can get you about 2" of lowering, but you still have to find an alignment shop that knows how to bend the beams to correct the camber issues you've created.
A lot of guys on here have cut coils to lower their trucks and they look good, I've been highly highly considering it for my truck but haven't done it yet, until I finally buy the drop I-beams. $500 is a lot to me, it may not be to some people on here, but it is to me. I just don't know about dropping that much money at once on a truck that isn't my daily driver.
and I could get 3" with I beams and another 2" cutting the springs?
im sorry but im not understanding, I must be on stupid mode today or something.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
Yes, but the aftermarket beams I believe can't be bent to correct the camber issues. Do a search on lowering and find user JRon and 89fiveohman. They have drop I-beams and cut his coils too, I believe, not 100% sure.
Never mind the search here's a thread.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ents-here.html
Never mind the search here's a thread.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ents-here.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
Because of the big a$$ cross member that's under there holding them. People have done that before but you can only move the pivot point up about 1-2",I think at the most. Even then I think you have to notch the cross member. Otherwise every time you hit a bump the beams is going to be smacking the cross member. Search in the 67-72 forum for a thread called 68 coming home tomorrow. User Wickedinhere has put air bags on his truck and notched the cross member, he has pics in the thread.
As for a diagram, you can buy a haynes manual and it'll have one in there. Or just go to autozone.com and click on the repair guides after you enter in your truck info.
As for a diagram, you can buy a haynes manual and it'll have one in there. Or just go to autozone.com and click on the repair guides after you enter in your truck info.