View Full Version : Dropping 51 ford
Who has the dropped spindles and dearched rear springs for these cars.Jamco?Thanks TP
mikes51
11-29-2003, 11:14 PM
Fatman has the dropped uprights. Jamco has all kinds of springs. Jamco dropped spindles are late model ball joint type, you also buy modified a arms to go with the new spindles.
FLAT-TOP BOB
11-29-2003, 11:20 PM
i have jamco stuff on my merc. so far they seem to be a good set up! on the back i have posie rear springs and blocks. the posies ride a lot better than the jamco springs did!
How do you "flip" the spindles like they used to do in day before aftermarket came along. I've always heard this but never knew how it was done.
Reggie
11-30-2003, 12:53 AM
I used Fatman dropped uprights and I cut 1/2 coil on the front of my 51 ford. I used posies springs in the rear with only a 1" block. Sits and rides good. While you are at it, you might want to try the Fatman Volvo steering box kit. It is EZ to install and it made an amazing difference from the stock steering box.
I have Jamco 4" drop leaf springs, looks really good. Talked with Jim the owner, real nice guy and took the time to answer my questions and such...
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How do you "flip" the spindles like they used to do in day before aftermarket came along. I've always heard this but never knew how it was done.
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I did this one in the good ol daze.
My 50 Ford sedan ended up with a ridiculous amount of camber.
Maybe 20 degrees with the top leaning in.
I think setting it up for the correct camber with reversed spindles would take quite a bit of doing.
One coil cut out of the front springs is about right.
That gives the car a very mellow rake which is about right for the hot rod look when combined with 5.50 x 15 tires in front and 8.20 x 15 tires in back.
Plus, it still rides fairly well.
6.40 x 15's used to be popular in front as well.
A lot of guys ran the stock size 6.70 x 15's in front.
When 14" wheels came in, we went to those for an extra 1/2" of drop.
Two coils cut out of the springs will have the front suspension lying on the rubber snubbers.
A lot depends on what you're trying to do, for me, I like reasonably practical cars and cutting one coil along with a 14" wheel and suitably sized tire would do it.
Very few cars were severely lowered back in the day.
A few in the magazines, but that was about it.
If you're going for the real low look, you may as well spring for the dropped spindles or do the sub-frame bit.
Right now I have 4" blocks in the back,which is very un-safe I know. I had them and thought I'd try it. When I bought the car the previous owner had heated the front springs so they are usless. I have another set of springs for the front and I guess I'll buy the dropped uprights. I have a set of stepped a-arms tha I may try first before I spend the money on the spindles. I'm not afraid of the A -arms being cut and welded. I was a welder most of my grown life and they are done right.It may have a clearance issue though with the a-arms cut.I believe I will go ahead and buy the rear leafs though. Thanks for all the input guys. TP
old beet
11-30-2003, 10:12 AM
Don't forget about "A" frame spacers. Good results for little money, and can be changed back easily if for some reason ya don't like it. Shorter springs and dropped "A" frames worked well of our 49 Merc..........OLDBEET
Old Beet, are you talking about the 1" bars that bolt between the a-arm and spring plate? I've been told 1" will get you 2". Don't know how that will work. TP
old beet
11-30-2003, 08:09 PM
TP, worked real good for me, one inch got me about two and a half.............OLDBEET
Explain that if you can. TP
smittyshotrods
11-30-2003, 08:14 PM
Where are your bags of sand TP?
I had to let them go with the buick or the guy wouldn't take it. I've got the rear low enough just need to take the nose bleed out of the front. No place for sand bags in the front.
mikes51
11-30-2003, 08:59 PM
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Explain that if you can. TP
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Let's say it is 10" from the inside pivot of the a-arm to the center of the spring. Then go another 10" from the center of the spring to your tire. If you shorten the spring 1", when you get out to the tire, it's doubled.
If your car's spring is closer to the pivot you could get more than double, 2 1/2" like was said. If your spring is closer to the tire, you could get less than 2".
mikes51
11-30-2003, 09:05 PM
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No place for sand bags in the front.
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You're suppossed to use ROCKS in the front, fit between the motor and inner fender wells better. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Mike ,I wasn't thinking about the pivot or travel. I was just looking at it as up or down. Head up rectum syndrum I guess.TP
old beet
11-30-2003, 11:57 PM
Mikes51, thanx for the pic, sometimes hard to explain. Good job.....OLDBEET
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