Lowering a '76
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Lowering a '76
Hey guys, I know that this topic has been banged on about a hundred times and I'm sorry for adding to the list!
My reason for posting, however, is slightly different. Being a F-Series owner from Australia, the availability of good, second-hand parts is limited and centered around the big cities, and reproduction parts are pretty much unheard of. Being that I want to lower my truck to resemble hopefully something like 89fiveohman's dentside, I was hoping maybe someone could come up with a solution to the problem.
In Australia, the importation of drop beams etc. would be very expensive, not to mention the initial cost of the items. Plus the knowledge about bending the beams or something along those lines would be very limited. Has anyone ever fabricated beams to resemble drop beams as are commercially available? I have fabricated many other car parts before, and have a friend of mine who build chassis' for hot rods, I don't see how it would be an overly difficult task?
The other question is, how hard is it to explain to someone how to bend beams, given that none of the shops around here would ever have done it.
The rear I am capable of doing, a chassis notch kit is cheap and light enough to be economically viable.
Thanks guys, sorry if this topic has been asked before, just thought I would think outside the square and try to save myself the best part of $1000.
My reason for posting, however, is slightly different. Being a F-Series owner from Australia, the availability of good, second-hand parts is limited and centered around the big cities, and reproduction parts are pretty much unheard of. Being that I want to lower my truck to resemble hopefully something like 89fiveohman's dentside, I was hoping maybe someone could come up with a solution to the problem.
In Australia, the importation of drop beams etc. would be very expensive, not to mention the initial cost of the items. Plus the knowledge about bending the beams or something along those lines would be very limited. Has anyone ever fabricated beams to resemble drop beams as are commercially available? I have fabricated many other car parts before, and have a friend of mine who build chassis' for hot rods, I don't see how it would be an overly difficult task?
The other question is, how hard is it to explain to someone how to bend beams, given that none of the shops around here would ever have done it.
The rear I am capable of doing, a chassis notch kit is cheap and light enough to be economically viable.
Thanks guys, sorry if this topic has been asked before, just thought I would think outside the square and try to save myself the best part of $1000.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
If you're gonna try to fab something why not just swap the front clip to something like a 88-98 Chevy. Or do the 03-up panther suspension swap from a crown vic, grand marquis, or town car? Just my .02 Good luck with your truck. If you do come up with a way to fab up some drop beams make sure you post some pics.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
If I were to do a drop today, I'd do the Crown Vic swap. Check around, you should be able to find something. You may even come on and tell us how well this Holden or that Falcon front end worked. Good luck
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From: halstead,Ks
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 45
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From: Columbus GA
Not to get off topic but... would you happen to have any [ics of the crown vic swap, your really grabbed my attention with that one!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
I don't but I think if you search it, you'll find a couple
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
Click on 1967 turbo's user name then click view gallery. He has lots of pics in there.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 369
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From: halstead,Ks
dadsold76
If You'd like some detail You can look at this We're kind of limited here
Zack's Truck 74 F100 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
If You'd like some detail You can look at this We're kind of limited here
Zack's Truck 74 F100 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
Turbo did you not put the braces that attach to the top of the frame on when you installed it in your truck? I saw it in the first pictures but the pics close to the finish, it looks like you didn't put them in. Do you worry about the stress on the top of the spring pocket without that brace behind it to attach it to the frame?
Sorry to hi jack the thread Acco.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 46
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From: TC Area, MN
You are going to get a ton of frame flexing from that! you need to tie the top and bottom of the rails togather or I bet the frame will break from fatuige at the piont it is bolted. I did this to my truck with the cab on ( didn't weld bracing in behind factory cross member.). After crossmember was removed with cab on (look at the leverage the cab mounts have on the frame.) I had a one inch diferance between the top and bottom of the framerails across when I mesured. Had to remove cab before it was square again, Look at the factory crossmember it ties the entire rail togather. if you look for "crown vic front end swap" in the bumpside forum there is a gentleman that has some great pics there. frame widths are similar. just tring to keep everyone safe. I didn't add any blocking witch from what I can tell is worth about 5" of drop. and for $500.00 you can't go wrong if you have the time, tools, and patentions to do it right. Sorry I can't spell!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: halstead,Ks
I fab My own braces for the top.
2010-5-14 6.9 going in 006 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
2010-5-14 6.9 going in 006 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots