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Technical Lowering the rear of a 65 Ford pickup

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HOTRODPRIMER, Jul 7, 2022.

  1. I'm in the plan and accumulating parts stage of my '65 Ford pickup and thinking I would like to lower the rear, my first thought was lowering blocks because I want to keep the leaf springs.

    This truck is just going to be a daily driver so it's not going to be a high dollar build, just a budget beater.

    I'm not married to the lowering blocks and would like to get some feedback on the use of blocks. HRP
     
  2. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    I thought the springs were on top of the rearend in that truck?
     
    HOTRODPRIMER, Cooon and Boneyard51 like this.
  3. The springs are on top of the rear axle on that truck. The most effective way to lower the rear, is by putting the axle on top of the spring and C notching the frame for clearance. Otherwise its de-arched springs and or Custom made or modified spring hanger brackets to mount the springs too.
     
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  4. Yes sir, they are, I was planning on cutting the spring mounts of the axle and relocating them under the axle but I don't think that will be enough drop ,but having never done this on a truck I really don't know. HRP
     

  5. junkman8888
    Joined: Jan 28, 2009
    Posts: 1,035

    junkman8888
    Member

    Budget36, "bingo", and "flipping" the axle will lower the rear of the pickup 4 inches plus which is usually too much, to compensate, drill the spring mounting brackets off of the frame and relocate them "down" to compensate. Good luck with your project.
     
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  6. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    As mentioned above, that’s a good drop, is that what you’re after or just a 2 inch or so adjustment?
     
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  7. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    Might be able to just relocate them/change the style and mount them higher?
     
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  8. If you re-locate brackets, you only need to the front ones most of the time. the change in pinion angle is pretty minimal and almost eliminated if you can use lowering shackles on the rear.
     
    HOTRODPRIMER likes this.
  9. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    Just looked at the spring mounts on my ‘57 Chevy PU, they could be flipped and mounted on top of the frame, I think (for me) it would be too low. But I could then use a block under the spring to adjust the height.
    Danny, what’s your setup look like?
     
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  10. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    HOTRODPRIMER likes this.
  11. An axle flip will slam that truck a good bit.
    im in
     
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  12. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,406

    stuart in mn
    Member

    Probably a bigger problem will be lowering the front twin I-beam suspension to match.
     
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  13. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Glad you brought that up HRP. I am going over the possible scenarios with my ‘48. I want mine lowered and level. I had an OT Chevy short bed with a flip kit and it sat nice.
     
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  14. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Maybe a 1965 GM passenger car front section would add improvements and level the rear to that. If your not towing or planning heavy loads then that will remove some of the thought process of having to compromise.
     
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  15. flat 39
    Joined: Dec 31, 2007
    Posts: 267

    flat 39
    Member

    Mine with dearched springs.
    IMG_0968.jpg
     
  16. If @HOTRODPRIMER does decide to lower the front some too, Sid now drops the twin I-beams. www.droppedaxles.com
     
  17. Thanks for the information but Sid's doesn't like the twin "I" beams on the site.

    I do plan to lower the front as well, with some type of dropped twin beams, no frame clips. HRP
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2022
    Boneyard51 likes this.
  18. Ok, but I know he is doing them now. :D Probably just haven’t updated the website yet. I have inside information since my son is working for him and also since I have been good friends with him for about 30 years now. :D
     
  19. Dropped I-Beam from Sids
    BE52991C-4D03-4AAF-AAE2-E9872C761E66.jpeg
    dropped I-beam from a shop near you
    F00EDD7E-C166-403D-BA33-F75D14671D77.jpeg
    a broke fabricated I-beam
    81409744-2F4F-4360-B263-0E0095834E28.jpeg
     
  20. Thank you, I have used used Sid's in the past and know his products are top notch. HRP
     
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  21. We all need to avoid that shop! :eek: That is scary and it looks like square tubing, it certainly doesn't appear to be cast. HRP
     
  22. The broke one is DJM or Chassis Tech
    The other fabricated bean I posted if built from Ford beams, has a very deep drop, probably welded better than the “store bought” ones.
    However, the amateur engineer in me don’t like ‘em. They do however have a better looking tie rod drop than Sids.
    Of the 3 posted, I would probably go with Sids. If I needed it dropped more than 3-5 inches, I’d remove the beams entirely.
    A Ford Explorer front spring is good for about a1.5 inch drop. They ride better than the original in my worthless opinion. And are very reasonably priced.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2022
  23. Thank you my friend, I value & appreciate your opinion. HRP
     
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  24. Boneyard51
    Joined: Dec 10, 2017
    Posts: 6,442

    Boneyard51
    Member

    In about that time Ford had the most sophisticated progressive leave spring system , ever. But before you flip and cut your frame and stuff, try taking one leaf out of the main set of springs, and add one inch to the rear shackle. That should give you your two inch drop with minimal modifications. Tell us what spring set up you have, please. Pictures would be nice, since there were several spring set ups available during those years.






    Bones
     
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  25. ...here's a photo of my 55 Chevy pickup rear springs, orig. the rearend mounted under the springs.
    I removed the rear spring hangers from the frame and flip'd them over to the top of the frame, which placed the shackles hanging down, then placed the rearend on top of the springs.
    this truck already had longer shackles than stock, but worked out great.
    upload_2022-7-8_14-16-6.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2022
  26. 55 chev pu good 005.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2022
  27. 3W JOHN
    Joined: Oct 8, 2015
    Posts: 1,156

    3W JOHN
    Member

    Danny, I thought you gave the truck to your grandson.
     
    HOTRODPRIMER likes this.
  28. I did John, buy now he is in Florida and doesn't have a place to put the truck nor a place to work on it,I told him I was going to start working on it and get it back on the road, naturally I told Mathew the truck is still his but now he has to wait to inherit it. HRP
     
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