drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-16-25 06:54 PM - Post#2877146
Hey all,
It's been a few years since I have driven my car from just one storage place to another. I plan to go in a totally different direction with it. I have been casually looking for a 292 i6 that i'd run with my th350. I'd love a 200-4r but doubt i'll bother. I dont like how low it is. Looks cool, but it's always scraping and i have to be careful. There is weld on the steering stops to prevent the dropped uprights from ripping out the brake hoses.
I think I want to just go back to stock height. I sadly dont have the uprights but i dont think they'll be hard to find. I dont have the rear leaves either; i think I remember them being weak for open drive... what are you all using for rear springs at stock height and a nice soft stock ride feel with open drive?
This car has never not ridden like crap. I can't imagine they rode this poorly new. I'd like to get it to the point where it's nice to cruise in. Long drives
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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eplantage
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2688
Loc: Southern MN
Reg: 03-15-04
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01-17-25 06:41 AM - Post#2877154
In response to drew1987
I just had 2" lowering blocks on the rear of my sedan delivery and while I thought it looked great, I was not impressed with the ride and the bottoming out when the roads are less than perfect. Railroad tracks were the worst. I removed them when I went through my brakes last winter. Springs and suspension are stock, front and rear. The ride is much improved.
Age: 70 at the moment
1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery
1953 BelAir Convertible Project
2002 Heritage Springer FLSTSI
1930 Model A Standard Coupe
US Navy Seabees EO2 77-83, 86-88 |
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3679
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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01-17-25 06:47 AM - Post#2877156
In response to eplantage
Could've told you that beforehand. Lol
Edited by Shepherd on 01-17-25 06:48 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-18-25 04:15 PM - Post#2877201
In response to Shepherd
Yeaaaa well I was young lol. I knew not to lower a camry or something modern, but I figured this would be fine.
with dropped uprights the ride shouldnt change as the suspension doesnt, just where the wheel connects to it. YET here we are. I am going to just go back to factory but with power steering. So what of the rear? I have Posie lowering springs which were ROCK hard, so I removed a few leafs. Car looks SICK. I will keep photos haha. Is there "factory" replacement's to go back to stock or am I looking for used originals and re-drilling my perches?
THanks =)
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-18-25 04:18 PM - Post#2877202
In response to drew1987
Found these but not sure if they are "an upgrade." I'd be wanting factory....
I think i am pretty set on a 292 with my TH350 as well. I think I'll do new carpet and a couple hundred pounds of sound deadening while i am at it. Should be a nice driver. I am past the hot rod stage with this one
Maybe some day I will pull one out of a field with a rotton bottom and body swap it onto a 2000ish Lexus GS400 and supercharge it. But forced to choose, I'll take a tame mostly original....
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3679
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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01-18-25 04:35 PM - Post#2877204
In response to drew1987
Intalled Kyb gas shocks on my 51 resto mod, 2" dropped spindles, Posies springs. Should have used std oil shocks, the Kybs stiffened the ride but handling is great.
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-18-25 04:55 PM - Post#2877205
In response to Shepherd
Yea the compromise sucks. I’ve got a 1996 camry in stock at work. 60k! It rides like a marshmallow. But handles like one too. There is a 13 Camry as well. Handles like a lotus. Rides like a sports compact without tires on the rims
My wife’s suburban ltz throws that comprise out the window with the z95 package: it rides very soft but when you get on the steering wheel and/or it senses body roll, it magnetically changes the shocks to feel like they were replaced with fixed steel rods. And then back again instantly and seamlessly
She has an antique toyota from Japan with the same technology except it’s a switch you flip. It’s not automatic
Me, forced to choose, I’ll ALWAYS take ride over handling. But I’m a minority
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3679
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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01-18-25 06:00 PM - Post#2877206
In response to drew1987
I have fun zipping around the tight curves on country roads, of course power R&P steering and M11 frontend help a bunch, and a 4 hour in shop alignment.Lol
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-18-25 06:28 PM - Post#2877208
In response to Shepherd
OHHH well that makes the big difference haha. I have thrown my car through some curves with the original front end. It was a hoot.
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-21-25 06:10 AM - Post#2877281
In response to drew1987
I literally remember trying to find a home for the old springs and eventually scrapping them because I couldn't.
"I will NEVER use these! I LOVE the way the car looks, and I dont mind being careful not to scrape!" BLEH! We've all been there.
That said if anyone is in the middle of that same scenario... trying not to scrap stock rear springs, please let me know
I know that they are weak compared to the posies I have and can "wind up" as they relied on the torque tube, but going from a v8 down to 292 or a 250, I think they'd be fine, right? Otherwise, open to suggestions that sit at factory height and ride similarly.
Thaks!
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3679
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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01-21-25 07:26 AM - Post#2877287
In response to drew1987
Hmm, maybe replace the main leaf only, did this on a friend's 59 D___ge, truck shop did it, restored stock ride after driving around for a week, 150# in the trunk and a full tank of gas.
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-21-25 07:54 AM - Post#2877290
In response to Shepherd
ohh i dont mean anything is broken with stock ones, i was just told back when I built my car that they cant handle power, and it was the torque tube that kept them from winding up... being I am going to be using a relatively low power set up, I am not worried about that - 250 or 292 and a th350 or 2004r/700r4 should spin the tires hahah
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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greenock
Poster
Posts: 86
Age: 58
Loc: New Zealand
Reg: 11-10-09
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01-23-25 09:14 PM - Post#2877339
In response to drew1987
Hello,
I thought I could add to this topic. My 52 had air shocks when I purchased it and it road very harshly, they were replaced with so called soft gas shocks all around, the ride wasn't much better.
I ended up putting N.O.S shocks all around.
The car is in the end stages of a restoration so I can road test it in a couple of months.
I used the original springs all around, they have settled nicely over seventy years, and the car sits down a little bit, evenly front and rear.
The rear springs were dismantled, then I ground the wear marks off smooth and reassembled them with Teflon strips between the leaves. The back end of the car is now so much softer, even without the weight of the motor and auto in the car.
One of the best modifications to the handling I made to the car previously before she came off the
road was having a one-inch diameter sway bar made up and fitted to the front, it made a huge difference.
I'm looking forward to getter her back on the road again,
Ian.
1932 Special Sedan
1952 Bel Air powerglide
1958 Impala Convertible
Greenock- circa 1854 - New Zealand's oldest American house.
Greenock Garden, Karaka, Auckland. |
Edited by greenock on 01-24-25 12:33 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-24-25 04:46 PM - Post#2877356
In response to greenock
Good advice about refurnishing the laves when I get a set. I am no longer interested in anything other than reliability and Comfort with this car. I had a lot of fun, did a lot of burn outs, but chose NOT to drive it almost every time I had a chance in the last few years cause it's just such an unpleasant car... that's going to change =) THIS chat has helped. When it's done, i am going to get some whitewalls too!
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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greenock
Poster
Posts: 86
Age: 58
Loc: New Zealand
Reg: 11-10-09
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01-24-25 09:08 PM - Post#2877359
In response to drew1987
If you are looking for wide white radials, I highly recommend Diamond Back tires. No good though if you don't have power steering.
1932 Special Sedan
1952 Bel Air powerglide
1958 Impala Convertible
Greenock- circa 1854 - New Zealand's oldest American house.
Greenock Garden, Karaka, Auckland. |
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-24-25 09:14 PM - Post#2877360
In response to greenock
Funny you say that. I got my self radials 10 years ago and remember thinking “WOW it rides so much better! And it drives so straight! Doesn’t follow cracks and grooves. Ok… I can’t steer!” lol
I will be adding power steering. Only thing is I loved the look of bias. Not sure it’s a practical way forward so might look into the radials that look like
Bias if they still
Make them
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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STEFAKI
Member
Posts: 157
Age: 76
Loc: ohio
Reg: 12-26-02
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01-25-25 06:49 AM - Post#2877364
In response to drew1987
sent you a PM
Edited by STEFAKI on 01-25-25 06:49 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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STEFAKI
Member
Posts: 157
Age: 76
Loc: ohio
Reg: 12-26-02
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01-25-25 07:40 AM - Post#2877368
In response to drew1987
i have every thing you need to return the front to stock
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DZAUTO
Member #51
Posts: 9342
Loc: Mustang, OK, USA
Reg: 12-25-99
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01-25-25 12:43 PM - Post#2877378
In response to STEFAKI
Back in the 50s I never understood lowering a car.
In 2025 I still do not understand it!
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-25-25 05:10 PM - Post#2877392
In response to DZAUTO
Hey DZ long time. Yea I have to say I agree. It looks great but took away from the driving pleasure. In something like an e46 bmw being built, 1.25” or so can make a huge difference. But that’s modern stuff. These cars need to be mechanically SLAMMED to look low, cause the rode high with the floor on top of the frame (rather than channeled in it) to behind with. My car looks somewhat low but it’s WAY down mechanically. The same drop in the aforementioned BMW would make that Car undrivable
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-25-25 05:13 PM - Post#2877393
In response to drew1987
See what I mean? Looks slick. In my opinion anyway. But I am going to be glad to be at factory height
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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55 Shaker
Member
Posts: 1773
Age: 75
Loc: north central IL.
Reg: 03-13-06
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01-25-25 06:27 PM - Post#2877395
In response to drew1987
Links didn't work.
The older I get, the more dangerous, I am !!!! |
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-25-25 06:43 PM - Post#2877398
In response to 55 Shaker
oops
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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gcrkfrd
"7th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 542

Age: 78
Loc: Neosho, MO.
Reg: 04-01-18
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01-25-25 09:37 PM - Post#2877406
In response to drew1987
The only reason I dropped mine 2", it leaned to the right about that much and I was gifted some
2" drop back springs, then bought some 2" shorter front springs. Now it rides rougher. Seems, you do not feel the bumps with the front, but you sure feel the back.
1952 Styleline Sedan-62 235 PG
1967 C-20-2wd 327
1985 GMC 1500-2wd 4.3
The only running vehicles I own. |
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-27-25 06:02 AM - Post#2877436
In response to gcrkfrd
My theory - if we leave the springs the same, and the connection point of the shocks the same, but only move the axel (blocks) it shoulnt change the ride (but can cause collision between axel and body). Mine has stiffer springs to make up for less travel, and the shocks mounting point is less distant from the body.
I can see a dozen ways to get a nice ride while low, but the investment time and money will be huge and there is still the scraping bottoming out issue etc. I just wan't a practical drivable car so I am going back to stock. I figure with the settled springs I have it will still LOOK decent. But I just want to drive it
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3679
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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01-27-25 06:18 AM - Post#2877438
In response to drew1987
Agreed, remember gas charged shocks will stiffen the ride.
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turdmagnet
Poster
Posts: 86

Age: 61
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Reg: 05-31-09
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01-28-25 04:23 PM - Post#2877476
In response to Shepherd
When I did my T5/open rear axle I bought a set of lower springs and blocks from Chassis Engineering for the back, and cut a full coil out of front, and got the car sitting about 1.5" lower. I never really noticed much of a ride or handling difference - it still floats like a boat down the highway. Now going over railway tracks too fast is another story.
1951 Canadian Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe
239 L6, 86-S10 T5, 98-Jimmy 3:42 Rear Axle |
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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-28-25 06:46 PM - Post#2877481
In response to turdmagnet
My buddy's Olds 88 (1952) was set up like that. Didn't ride bad at all.
I think ride has a lot to do with weight as well. Look at a 1950 caddy. The frame looks like they borrowed it from an interstate overpass. It is 4200-5100 lbs. Our cars are like 3200.
I have been driving my winter truck 2007 Dodge 1500 with 1000 lbs of tile in the back cause the transfer case is broken and we get a lot of snow. It rides wonderfully with the weight compared to empty.
That said, I am going to Dynamat my whole floor and inside my doors at some point. There is 150-200lbs I bet. Between that and the sound deadening and reduction in resonating sounds, that will help too
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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usmile4
"16th Year Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 4382

Age: 77
Loc: Aurora, Illinois
Reg: 08-12-05
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01-28-25 08:56 PM - Post#2877484
In response to drew1987
When I bought my 49, the PO had taken a torch to the springs. I couldn't go over any bump without bottoming out. I replaced all the springs with stock ones I bought off people who were parting out cars. But I wanted it a bit lower, so I put dropped uprights on the front and used 1 1/2" lowering blocks in the back. It looked better to me and the ride was much improved.
Then I got my 51 chassis and decided to bag it all around. The ride is a bit "airy" (no pun intended!) I could probably tighten it up some with a little stiffer shock but I like how it looks and the ride. The wife thinks it is still too loud and not a comfortable ride compared to our modern cars.
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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drew1987
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3944

Age: 37
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 02-23-14
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01-30-25 11:33 AM - Post#2877512
In response to usmile4
Always loved the look of your car. Shoot now I love the look of mine! If I had a large livingroom type barn or a finished basement with an overhead door I would just park it and look at it hahha but the way it drives (like crap) has be after these changed.
Thanks everyone for the help! Seems ALL the parts are lined up - everyone is just waiting for spring which is fine because so am I. I believe we had less than 5 hours above freezing in January, Bleh!
Andrew D. Carapella (Drew)
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe
1954 Chevy 3100
Various other "modern classics" |
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