After selling my bagged truck. I purchased a 54 Ford Crestline Victoria and it’s my first classic build. Just wanted to see if anybody on here has bagged their 54 Crestline. Looking for advice and suggestions for doing the front. Is there any kits available? Should I just get a subframe kit? To be easier should I just lower the front and just bag the rear? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks.
Can’t talk bags here on this site. If lowering Moog Ford Aerostars gives about 2-2-1/2” and a good ride. Add Ford Granada spindles and it will be right at “geez this is low”. Most choose one or the other. Stock upper and lower A frames are pretty strong; but I would really check the integrity of the front crossover.
X2 on Jimmy's comments. The Aerostar's springs are a progressive coil, so little bumps are soft, big ones don't bottom out. They're fairly cheap, last I looked under $100. I used them to replace cut coils on the bird and they were a great improvement. The pass car guys say the same thing. Use those and dropped spindles you can probably push a full pack of cigarettes down the street. No speed bumps allowed. If the front crossmember has rust, you'll find out when you hit the speed bump or a driveway. On the 55's you can also build a spacer for the lower spring pocket and lower it there. Not sure about 54. There's social group either here or on the barn that will know. The Fords had pretty good front ends in those days. A little care in alignment by an old time guy is all you need. Aside from being off topic most front clips jobs are a lot of money or work for little gains.
The front suspension on our cars are strong. '54 was the first year they went to ball joints. I say just rebuild the front and install Aerostar springs. I did and mine dropped about 2-1/2". Aerostar springs were $70 at RockAuto and I tapped these guys for a front end rebuild kit. Best price I've seen...... Front end rebuild kit For the rear, lowering blocks will do the trick. Also, check out the '52-'59 Ford Social Group here on the HAMB. It's targeted specifically to our cars.
Read up on here, lot of good examples of rebuilt static drop suspensions, without front clip or bags. If you just wanna lay frame, no matter what, youll do what you do. Check your ground clearance and wheel well area, may be a lot more fab work to get it that low.
I have the dropped Grenada spindles and Aerostars on mine and while I am not pushing packs of cigarettes down the road, you do have to take care going over speed bumps. 3" blocks in the back get it sitting even. Downtown by Dos Cincos posted Oct 26, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Granada dropped spindles and Aerostar springs will work well. Save your $ for an upgraded rear axle. Parts for the original one are almost non existent. I used a V8 Maverick rear in mine. The spring perches need to be moved in a little, but with the drop you will have to change the pinion angle anyway.
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