jcofieldjr
Forum Newbie
Posts: 13
Age: 38
Loc: Baton Rouge, LA
Reg: 07-16-12
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07-16-12 04:28 PM - Post#2248856
Hello everyone, this is my first post. I've read a number of posts on this site & the H.A.M.B. regarding the lowering of the front end of my 52 styleline. I'm wanting to get the opinion of others on this topic.
Should I go old school? I've read cutting the coils causes problems getting the front aligned, correctly. I've heard that it is possible to swap the uprights & that will lower the front as much as 2". Does this cause problems?
Should I go new school? What does it take to install the Mustang II IFS? Do I have to remove the entire front cap to weld in the Mustang II?
I'm running 215/75/15 tires on stock wheels, & I've already lowered the rear end with 3" blocks. The rear bumper stands 10" above the pavement & the front bumper stands 15".
End result = front lowered 4 - 5", get the wheels aligned & have a safe ride.
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lobucrod
Contributor
Posts: 223
Age: 61
Loc: Springtown Texas
Reg: 10-01-07
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07-16-12 04:41 PM - Post#2248861
In response to jcofieldjr
using Fatman dropped uprights and cutting one coil will get you 4-5" drop and you shouldnt have any problem with the alignment
'38 Chevy Coupe
'50 Sedan Delivery
'37 Chevy Peecup
2000 Harley Heritage Classic
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Edited by lobucrod on 07-16-12 04:42 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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jcofieldjr
Forum Newbie
Posts: 13
Age: 38
Loc: Baton Rouge, LA
Reg: 07-16-12
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07-16-12 05:56 PM - Post#2248889
In response to lobucrod
Thanks, that's what I'm going to go with.
James
- 1952 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 Door
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 dads54
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 58
Reg: 05-28-12
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07-17-12 02:40 AM - Post#2248977
In response to jcofieldjr
We used the Fatman uprights and the dropped steering arms and got 2". No problems at all. Not sure about cutting the coils though.
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 usmile4
"6th Year Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 3081
Age: 66
Loc: Naperville, Illinois
Reg: 08-12-05
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07-17-12 06:05 AM - Post#2249013
In response to dads54
I used drop uprights and cut some coils and the ride was terrible. Went back to regular springs and things were much better. The new version has bags.
Bill Gommel
49 chevy Styleline (Sold), 51 Styleline 2 dr Special, 235 (from a 61 truck) bored .060 over, Dual Carter/Webers, Fenton Headers, T5- 5 speed with a 56 rear end. |
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whiskey1954
Contributor
Posts: 442
Loc: central north carolina
Reg: 12-07-08
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07-17-12 06:32 AM - Post#2249019
In response to dads54
with the fatman stuff up front how much drop did you use on the rear for what looks like a level stance
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DEEDDUDE
Forum Newbie
Posts: 27
Loc: Beach City, Texas
Reg: 11-06-11
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07-17-12 06:36 AM - Post#2249022
In response to usmile4
Lowered 5" front and rear by removing leaves and blocks in the rear and cut springs and stepping the lowers in front.
Rides fine. Shocks have a lot to do with the ride. One day I would like to bag it front and rear, but for now she rides fine even with the 50+ year old springs.
Edited by DEEDDUDE on 07-17-12 06:40 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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cederholm
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1309
Age: 46
Loc: Brooklyn NY
Reg: 09-28-10
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07-17-12 11:03 AM - Post#2249105
In response to DEEDDUDE
Don't cut your coils, new lowing coils are cheap enough, why mess with old sagging springs.
I have 3" blocks and 3" lowered coils on my car, very happy with the ride height and handling.
~ Carl
Carl E. Cederholm
Brooklyn NYC
'53 Deluxe MoreDoor, triPPPle Rochesters, Fenton exhaust, dual Porter mufflers, 3" drop, 12v, and Offenhauser shinny bits! |
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DEEDDUDE
Forum Newbie
Posts: 27
Loc: Beach City, Texas
Reg: 11-06-11
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07-17-12 12:19 PM - Post#2249131
In response to cederholm
Don't cut your coils, new lowing coils are cheap enough, why mess with old sagging springs.
I have 3" blocks and 3" lowered coils on my car, very happy with the ride height and handling.
~ Carl
Carl is correct. I used the old springs because I wanted to lower mine temporarily. Mustang II will be done at a later date along with trailing arms for the rear. I just couldn’t wait to lower the car, it looks so much better.
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whiskey1954
Contributor
Posts: 442
Loc: central north carolina
Reg: 12-07-08
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07-17-12 12:44 PM - Post#2249142
In response to dads54
dad hoe much did you drop the rear and how to level the ride
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dads54
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 58
Reg: 05-28-12
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07-17-12 02:06 PM - Post#2249168
In response to whiskey1954
We used 2" blocks in the rear and that's how it ended up. The ride is good but on big bumps the rear hits the bump stops a little. Overall it's good.
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hussey
Forum Newbie
Posts: 91
Age: 36
Loc: Overland Park
Reg: 12-13-11
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07-17-12 06:03 PM - Post#2249229
In response to jcofieldjr
I recently installed a set Fatmat dropped uprights and dropped steering arms on mine. Picked them up used for $270. Keep and eye out for some used one, you see them time to time on eBay or the HAMB. New you're looking at over $600. I like the way it turned out. I'm also planning on dropping the front anoter 1.5 - 2 in. with some dropped lowering coils.
For the rear I made some 3 in. lowering blocks. Anything taller puts you way below the scrub line.
Here's how my mine sits with 2.5 in. dropped uprights and 3 in. blocks. Evantually I'm goint to put new leaves in the back when I do a drive line swap. I'd like to get the rear dropped 4 in. Anymore that that I think you'd be ridding really close to the frame.
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 53belair
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 826
Age: 57
Loc: Ellerslie, Georgia
Reg: 03-25-07
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07-17-12 06:51 PM - Post#2249250
In response to hussey
Great looking car hussey. 51?
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 Keith_Knox
Moderator and "10th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2731
Age: 71
Loc: Napa, Ca USA
Reg: 04-02-00
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07-17-12 09:52 PM - Post#2249314
In response to cederholm
Carl, where did you get your springs?
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe Purchased 6/2010.
1996 Chevy Monte Carlo
2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab
2013 F150 Crew Cab |
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cederholm
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1309
Age: 46
Loc: Brooklyn NY
Reg: 09-28-10
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07-18-12 06:15 AM - Post#2249374
In response to Keith_Knox
Carl, where did you get your springs?
Keith,
I got everything from Jamco and I'm very happy with it all.
Now for for the disclaimer. I was very happy with Jamco and their customer service. One of the parts I ordered was the wrong size - Jamco upon reviewing my order called me to confirm the part noting that it wouldn't fit unless the car was modified. They saved me a lot of headache. NOW, others haven't been so happy with them and there are a few Jamco bashing threads on the HAMB. Never about quality, but always about long shipping waits and bad customer service.
~ Carl
Carl E. Cederholm
Brooklyn NYC
'53 Deluxe MoreDoor, triPPPle Rochesters, Fenton exhaust, dual Porter mufflers, 3" drop, 12v, and Offenhauser shinny bits! |
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 mahlmann
"3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 480
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
Reg: 01-20-11
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07-18-12 10:15 AM - Post#2249496
In response to cederholm
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I've had excellent quality parts and great support form JAMCO. They're on my personal good vendors list.
Mike Ahlmann
Sunnyvale, CA
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hussey
Forum Newbie
Posts: 91
Age: 36
Loc: Overland Park
Reg: 12-13-11
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07-18-12 11:01 AM - Post#2249524
In response to 53belair
52
I've heard good things about Coil Spring Specialties in St. Mary's, KS. I talked them the other day and they can custom design springs at no extra charge. If you want to get real exact you can send in your current springs. They'll measure your old spring rate before specifying your new spring. They say they can get to within 1/4 in. They said their current wait time is 2 weeks.
Edited by hussey on 07-18-12 11:03 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Dean50
"6th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 684
Loc: Michigan
Reg: 01-02-07
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07-19-12 02:45 PM - Post#2249979
In response to hussey
Looks good. i like the stance.
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whiskey1954
Contributor
Posts: 442
Loc: central north carolina
Reg: 12-07-08
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07-20-12 05:20 AM - Post#2250175
In response to hussey
Hussey I love the stance you have wondering what size tires and wheel width you are running and if you trimmed the coils any I have the 3inch blocks in the rear and getting ready to install 2 inch drops from fatmans with new coils as I rebuild the complete frontend I realize the new coils will be a little tall until they seat I did notice in disassemble that the original coils have 12 and the replacements from moog have eleven
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hussey
Forum Newbie
Posts: 91
Age: 36
Loc: Overland Park
Reg: 12-13-11
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07-20-12 12:42 PM - Post#2250289
In response to whiskey1954
Thanks for the compliments. As of now I have Fatman Dropped Uprights in the front and 3 in. blocks in the back. The Fatman uprights were right at 2.5 in. lower than the stock 52 uprights.
I'd like to get the front a little lower, just to where the white wall lines up with the wheel well lip, another 1.5- 2 in. I plan to take my springs to Coil Spring Specialties so they can measure them and have them make up a set with the exact amount of drop I want.
Edited by hussey on 07-20-12 12:43 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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whiskey1954
Contributor
Posts: 442
Loc: central north carolina
Reg: 12-07-08
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07-20-12 08:37 PM - Post#2250445
In response to hussey
thanks for answering but you still did not tell me tire size and rim width I am about to buy new tires my rims that were on the car when I bought it were 6.5 in the front and 5.5 in the rear I wanted to run 6.5 on the 4 corners if possible it now has g78 15s bias ply wwws and would like to go with a set of 225 70/75 0r 235 70 radial but I am thinking the the 235 70 is going to keep me from running my skirts
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Dean50
"6th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 684
Loc: Michigan
Reg: 01-02-07
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07-23-12 05:58 PM - Post#2251382
In response to whiskey1954
Using 215/75 Coker Classics on my stock suspension and wheels, no skirt clearance problems.
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bobg1951chevy
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4887
Loc: Ellijay, GA
Reg: 02-18-08
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07-24-12 07:34 AM - Post#2251577
In response to whiskey1954
thanks for answering but you still did not tell me tire size and rim width I am about to buy new tires my rims that were on the car when I bought it were 6.5 in the front and 5.5 in the rear I wanted to run 6.5 on the 4 corners if possible it now has g78 15s bias ply wwws and would like to go with a set of 225 70/75 0r 235 70 radial but I am thinking the the 235 70 is going to keep me from running my skirts
Besides the physical tire size, you need to consider the rim width and rim offset, to determine if skirts will fit. Stock 5" rim has 9/16" offset, 6" rims on my car have 3 plus inches offset, so with only 205's I still cannot use skirts. See pics below.
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hussey
Forum Newbie
Posts: 91
Age: 36
Loc: Overland Park
Reg: 12-13-11
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07-25-12 06:43 PM - Post#2252197
In response to whiskey1954
Stock wheels and tire size.
Tire is a 670-15. Coker reccomens a 205/75/15.
Look for Hans' Rod & Cycle 52 Chevy on the HAMB. He has some pics of his with 195 radials which I think also look good.
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jcofield
Forum Newbie
Posts: 6
Reg: 05-29-12
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07-29-12 09:03 AM - Post#2253301
In response to hussey
I ordered the 3" drop coil springs from coilsprings.com, in Kansas. It took about a week & they notified me that my order was being shipped. Next week I plan on doing the coil spring install. I will post before & after pics.
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jcofieldjr
Forum Newbie
Posts: 13
Age: 38
Loc: Baton Rouge, LA
Reg: 07-16-12
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08-06-12 04:02 PM - Post#2256491
In response to hussey
Ok. I got my drop coils from coilsprings.com & I've installed them. To me, the car looks great, everyone chime in 
Original Stance:
3" drop in rear:
3" drop all around:
These are P215/75R15 Tires on the original 15x6.7 wheel.
This brings me to my next point: WHEELS!!!
I want to put these on my ride with Wider White Walls:
I'm looking at Vintique Wheels but not sure what series to get & what is the most backspacing that my ride will allow???
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
James C.
James
- 1952 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 Door
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bobg1951chevy
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4887
Loc: Ellijay, GA
Reg: 02-18-08
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08-06-12 04:05 PM - Post#2256492
In response to jcofieldjr
James,
Original wheels are 15 x 5. Factory wheels have 9/16" offset, the ones on mine are 3 1/2" offset with 205's. Skirts won't fit. Wheels are chrome reverse smoothies from Coker, but had them powdercoated, instead of chromed. Works for me.
Stance on yours looks nice.
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hussey
Forum Newbie
Posts: 91
Age: 36
Loc: Overland Park
Reg: 12-13-11
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08-06-12 06:36 PM - Post#2256559
In response to jcofieldjr
It looks right man, looks right.
How about some more details?
How was thier service? Lead time? Cost of the springs? Cost of shipping? What did you do for shocks?
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mahlmann
"3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 480
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
Reg: 01-20-11
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 08-06-12 06:47 PM - Post#2256567
In response to jcofieldjr
Looks really good!
May I ask how much the springs cost, including shipping?
Mike Ahlmann
Sunnyvale, CA
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jcofieldjr
Forum Newbie
Posts: 13
Age: 38
Loc: Baton Rouge, LA
Reg: 07-16-12
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08-06-12 06:59 PM - Post#2256574
In response to hussey
http://www.coilsprings.com/
From the time I placed my order, and received them, it took 1 WEEK!!! I was expecting 2 or 3...
The 3" drop coil springs set me back $205 including shipping.
The shocks that were on the car were the original 1952 shocks. One of them had to be cut off. My replacement shocks (without modifications) will be a set of Monroe 5751, they will set you back about $70 for a pair. My shocks are supposed to be in my hands on Wednesday of this week. The shocks will be slightly compressed; but, this will be a good temporary solution until I can either bag, or mustang II the front end.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MON-5751ST/
The entire cost to lower this car 3" all the way around has been:
$50 (3" drop blocks & u-bolts for the rear)
$205 (3" drop springs for the front)
$70 (new front shocks)
========
total: $325.00
Also, they can make you a 2" drop spring for $185...
James
- 1952 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 Door
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