47 to 55 chevy pickup dropped axle???

[SLAMIT]

Where do I get one or send mine to have it dropped?

would putting the axle on top of the springs with lowering blocks work. What kind of problems would I run into.

Who has lowered there chevy with out using aftermarket independent suspension. and how?

I know that going with an S-10 chassis is the hot swap but I want to use the inliner and I already have most of the parts. So i am trying to put together a very inexpensive truck and spend as little dough as possible. Since this is kind of a side project for the moment.

I dont have my frame at my house to look at so I cant really look at it to figure this shit out at the moment. I just wanted some info to prepare me for it when I get the frame to my house.

Thanks for your help.
SLAMIT
Hey pictures of these truck wouldnt kill me either

[jerry]

get ahold of elpolacko for the dropped axle info. thet are being dropped here in phoenix.


jerry

[Petejoe]

A few places sell them but I can't remember who. Get the Classic truck Magazine and check it out. Alot of vendors who handle them in there. Or you could do this:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB4&Number=240434&page=0& view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Toqwik]

I have a drop axle in classifieds for sale, will it work for ya?

[raven]

I have a '54 Chevy pu, so that qualifies my to answer.
1. Remove one or two of the shortest leaves from all four corners. This will smooth the ride and lower it a little.
2. Have Industrial Chassis drop your axle (send them your kingpins, spindles and steering arms with it. It will save you a lot of headache later).
or
3. Go to a mono or two leaf(Posies) system. This will drop it a lot.
4. Get a dropped axle from Worm ($350)
Any questions?
r

[ELpolacko]

look here, 1954 GMC 1 ton axle http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

before

[ELpolacko]

after,

[raven]

ELpolacko,
That's a Chevy not a GMC.
It's mine. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
r

[rdstr31]

I just ordered a drop axle for my '55 1st from Classic Performance Products in Cali. I don't have it yet, so I can't tell you how good it is, but in the pic it looked like a quality piece- for $399 it oughta be!!! They say it's a full 3" drop. With my monoleaf springs, the bumper will be 7" off the ground!

[SLAMIT]

Thanks for the info.
I am looking for like a 7" drop or so. I have seen them on trucks in the past but have not asked where they got them. Does CPP have them in more than a 3" drop.
Any pictures.
SLAMIT

[porknbeaner]

Axle on top of springs good idea.
Axle on top of springs with blocks bad idea.
OH yea, Zd chassis good idea.

[Munson]

I have a '59 and was told that dropping the axle more than 3' will need the steering componants relocated.

Also dropping the axles AND using lowering springs will inhibit steering.

The money you're spending on straight axle goods and the modifications ahead you should consider IFS.

I'm not the expert but I know Elpolacko is.

[Satinblack]

For that price of the dropped axle you can get a must II cross member kit. Just a thought

[rdstr31]

As far as steering goes, I've got power, so the only problem I might find is the tire clearances in the fender opening. If you're just using a dropped axle, you need to move the tierod to the top of the steering arms for clearance (it goes between the spring and frame).

And yes, I know I could've put IFS under it, but then it'd be just like everyone elses dropped, old truck. Where's the fun in that?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif We belong to the HAMB because people on this board pride themselves on doing things a little different- going against the grain. People are gonna wonder how that straight axle truck sits so low, and that's pretty cool! And, as for my truck, with the dropped axle I've only got about $800 in the suspension- all new parts- and power disc brakes too. Yeah, you can buy a IFS crossmember for under $500, but you gotta hang the wheels on it somehow! That shit costs money too!

I like being different- that's why I drive old iron instead of a little riceburnin' Honda- not that there's anything wrong with that either! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[millerkustoms]

You can also check with mor-drop in oakland, my buddy just bought a 3 1/2" dropped half ton axle for like $350, he had it on the shelf, they go lower, and he does 3/4, and 1 ton too.

510-261-1888

[burger]

Is there any reason why a $159 dropped tube axle from MAS wouldn't work? They're set up for the Chevy spindles and are available with drops up to 7". Custom widths are available and you weld the perches on, so perch location wouldn't be a problem.

Just a thought...


Ed

[SLAMIT]

You know ed that is not a bad Idea. Then I could use 49 to 54 chevy passenger car brakes and go to a five lug pattern. I dont see why that wouldnt work.
Has anyone put the axle on top of the springs.
What happened when oyu did.
Thanks
SLAMIT

[burger]

Slamit,

With my 1000th post, I offer you this: With a 7" drop, why would you want to put the axle on top of the spring? That 7" drop puts the bottom of the axle 8" below the centerline of the rim. On a 15" rim, that puts you a 1/2 below the theoretical scrub line. Most people would freak out about that being unsafe, but if you think about it even if your tire goes completely flat, you're still going to have a little bit of rubber sticking out of the rim. If you did flip the axle on top of the leaves, you'd have a very unsafe scrub line, and the lowest point on your car would be about an inch or two off the ground depending on your tire size.

I've seen the stock 47-54 axle flipped on top of the spring. I wanted to do that on my '31 Chevy, but it would have required c-notching my rails, and fabbing up a new front crossmember. With all that in front of me, the MAS axle seemed like a pretty good solution.

Ed

[Satinblack]

Hey I'm all for being different. Remember there was a time when ifs was different... I only asked because being different and comfort both need to be concidered. And I did mine for less then a $1000 total and it has disc's too. As I always say to each his own, doesn't hurt to ask why. FNG (Satin)

[prime mover]

SPAM ALERT!
I put a axle in the classifieds with five lug brakes if anybody needs them.

[SLAMIT]

Hey ed. I just wanted to ask if anyone had put the axle on top so i could possibly get away with not buying to dropped axle. I totally understand your point though and it is a good one to think about. I think though that the dropped axle might be the way to go.
Thanks for all of your info
Lets see those pics of you r trucks
SLAMIT

[gettingreasy]

Rdstr31 your preachin to the choir.....so shut the fuck up, we know why we're here on the HAMB(cause we love this shit).
-Jesse

[rdstr31]

excuse me...