Lowering My Car.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I need to know (soon) what my options are for lowering my '61 Comet. I'd LOVE to slam it but I have speed bumps where I live. Not sure if cutting springs is viable because I am a rather large fellow. What about the leafs? I have never lowered a car before so ANY advice will be helpful.

Thanks!

[haring]

I have a '61 Falcon.

Your options are this:

A. TRADITIONAL (i.e. the cheap way)
Cut 1-2 coils up front and a 1-3" drop. Spring rate will increase yet the car will bottom-out on big bumps. Not as bad as many people will lead you believe.

Remove 1-2 leafs in the rear pack and/or use big lowering blocks to move the axle up towards the frame. Again, you'll bottom out on big bumps, but that's what happens when you lower a car. I used custom 2" drop springs from ESPO (which is still damn high because factory ride hieght is sky-high) and paired them 3" lowering blocks. Looking back, I should have used 4" blocks, but that's the limit. You'll need custom u-bolts since the 7.5" rear is tiny.

B. AIR SPRING SUSPENSION (i.e. big bucks)
Plan to spend $1000-1500 in parts alone. Air bags allow you to change theheight of the car. Optimize for a low drive height and then drop the car lower for parking or parking lot cruising. Or you can raise it up high for bumps. I now have an air suspension and love it. With the traditional set-up, I ripped out the upper front shock mount when I hit a pothole. You do notcurrently have the skills to put in an air ride suspension, so expect to pay another $1000 - 4000 in labor depending on the shop you choose and how much work needs to be done.

That should get you started.
-don

[leadsled]

If your big (custom lowering kit size) don't worry about it. The car probablly lays over now. Just don't heat your springs.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks Don!