Have a 38 Dodge pickup want to use stock front springs & axle . Whats the best way to lower the front end? Thanx
If you wish some good ideas,put up photos of your set up. Often just taking some leafs out or coils off works
Looks like a pair of fore & aft semi-elliptics. Moving mounts upward may, it depends on Dodge approach. (Search engine image)
I don't quite understand by Dodge approach. I'm from Pepperell I'm sure I've seen your truck somewhere.
Remove some of the leafs from each front spring. You can drop it a bunch by moving the axle above the springs, but a dropped axle is probably the best method. Gene
Removing leaves is the worse idea anyone can offer up as the spring will sag until there is no more room to sag.. I wish guys would back off and quit throwing that stupid idea out. This is my right front spring in my truck < over in the avatar. There are still five leaves in the stack but over the miles they sagged until I have about 1-1/4 clearance between the cut off bumper and the frame sitting static on the garage floor. I'm not saying don't do it but when you remove leaves to lower them they keep on sagging because the spring is a lot weaker.
Roger, the truck is supposedly your year of Dodge. I looked for a clear front end shot. Point is, if it was possible to remount the spring hanger setups. Thus lower, if all still cleared. I used to cruise your neighborhood w/Dennis Slocomb. He owned Bob Nadeau's 37 Chev w/a Pontiac 347cu.
My 48 F1 was way over sprung for the size truck it was . I removed 4 leafs from a new set of stock springs , all was well for 70k when I sold it . Removing leaves from a new spring and remove 4 from a worn out spring is a new ball game . I would never remove any from old springs or you could end up worse than Mr 48Chev has expressed to you .
I have a ‘38 Plymouth truck and it’s got the wavy tube axle, not sure if the ‘38 Dodges had an I-bean or tube axle...
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