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56 Chevy ride height question

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by DonMan, Jan 15, 2012.

  1. My car currently has the stock suspension / brakes. Previous owner heated the front coil springs to lower the car. The rear has 3" lowering blocks.

    I just bought a front disc brake kit with 2" drop spindles. I want to buy new coil springs and wondering if the 2" lowering springs would be the right choice ?

    Has any tri-five owners done this ? Pics ?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Hot Rod Nut
    Joined: Jul 1, 2006
    Posts: 571

    Hot Rod Nut

    I have the 2"lower spindles with stock springs and it drops it just right for me on my 56.
     
  3. primed55
    Joined: Feb 7, 2005
    Posts: 313

    primed55
    Member

    I'd get the 2" spindals and stock springs then cut them a link at a time till you get it where you want it.
     
  4. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    lowered spindles + lowering springs = riding on the frame.

    Try stock springs, trim if needed.
     

  5. nwbhotrod
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,243

    nwbhotrod
    Member
    from wash state

    If you dont rub a littel your not low enough
     

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  6. vanst603
    Joined: Oct 2, 2011
    Posts: 49

    vanst603
    Member
    from New York

    My 55 has 2" drop spindles in the front (the IFS is great) and 2" blocks in the back on new springs. Looks and rides great howver after 6 years like this I'm going to take the block out this year, shave 3/8" off and reinstall. This will give me about 1 1/2" total rake front to rear. I have hit the rear snubbers a few times and may correct this too. Good luck on gettin low.
     
  7. Cruiser
    Joined: May 29, 2006
    Posts: 2,241

    Cruiser
    Member

    Never cut more then 1 1/2 coils out of the springs, it will result in a harder ride. After, 1 1/2 removed the next best thing is a smaller tire size or smaller wheels. This will keep your ride nice and smooth without hard jolts. :D2" spindles is a good start, good luck with your ride.

    CRUISER :cool:
     
  8. dorf
    Joined: Dec 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,087

    dorf
    Member
    from ohio

    i like it just the way it sits
     
  9. Roscoe7
    Joined: Jul 2, 2009
    Posts: 29

    Roscoe7
    Member

    Empty and loaded (6 adults). 2" drop spindles, stock springs, 2" lowering blocks.
    DSC09918.jpg
    DSC06500.jpg
     
  10. chevyshubox
    Joined: Dec 31, 2007
    Posts: 62

    chevyshubox
    Member
    from Australia

    In my Delivery I have 1" lowered springs 2" drop spindles a Big Block with 205 65 15`s and the front crossmember is 6" from the ground and that is the lowest point of the car. 6" is the minimum clearence here in Australia.
     
  11. I would go with the lowered spindles and the lowering springs also. Mine has the 2" lower springs in front and I don't think it has the right attitude yet. I think it needs 2" more down front.I have the stock springs in back with no lowering blocks. Its too level to me.
     

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  12. nwbhotrod
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,243

    nwbhotrod
    Member
    from wash state

    Hello Squirrel is that Kubota Orange on your 55 chevy
     
  13. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    huh? it's Gypsy Red. Just like the cowl tag says.

    btw, when you say "stock springs", keep in mind there are a few different versions of stock springs...strong ones for 6 cyl PG wagons and ragtops, lighter ones for V8 3 speed cars
     
  14. I run lowered spindles with one cut coil, on my daily driver

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Jay Tyrrell
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,631

    Jay Tyrrell
    Member

    This sits really nice!
    J
     
  16. scrape
    Joined: Sep 22, 2003
    Posts: 1,130

    scrape
    Member

    get the drop springs donny.. i used droped spindles and springs on my old 55 chevy wagon and it looked killer.. and rode real good... btw i have some stock springs if you need them...
     
  17. Thank you. Had I known I was going to be driving it for so many years, I would've painted it a different color. But who knew!?

    [​IMG]
     
  18. nwbhotrod
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,243

    nwbhotrod
    Member
    from wash state

    Why what color I grew up in yucaipa left tere in 1969 spent a littel time on E street
     
  19. I like the way it sits too. Maybe a tad bit lower in front.

    That`s the reason for my question -- I am swapping to 2" dropped disc brake spindles and I want to swap the springs because someone heated them and now they are stacked and it rides a little hard.
     
  20. Troy, do you have any pics ? I never saw your old wagon. Did it have "Free Candy" spray painted on the side ?
     
  21. I was too young to understand 'cruising' E st. I just wanted to go home, the whole time! I think that's funny to think back on, now.

    They look good lower, but I 'still' scrape going in some driveways! Maybe 1 1/2 cut coils, but I'm pretty sure 2 coils cut is too much with dropped spindles.
     
  22. scrape
    Joined: Sep 22, 2003
    Posts: 1,130

    scrape
    Member

    heck yea donny thats why when you look up my name red dot over the house i live in.. haha..
    i dont have any pics of it i think don does though,, i traded it to him and he put stock springs in it.. cause it scraped on his drive way at his old shop... i helped him do a bunch of work to it and then he sold it to larry moss.. i think larry still owns it.. its black with green flames...
     
  23. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Get the lowering coils, you can always put a spacer under them. Cutting coils screws up ride and handling.
     
  24. primed55
    Joined: Feb 7, 2005
    Posts: 313

    primed55
    Member

    Disagree, I cut 2 coils on my car (stock spindals) and i've done as much as 2 1/2 on others. It does stiffen the ride but not too much, I think it actuly make for a better ride.
     

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