I have a 48 chevy truck and am going to lower it 4-5'. There seems to be a few options. I was going to use a 4' drop axel and blocks but I also see they make lowered leaf springs with up to a 4' drop. It sems like the springs would be an easier install. Does anyone have any expierence with these setups. What are advantages or dissadvantages between drop axel and drop leaf springs? Thanks
Just a guess on my part, but I'd think you would have less front end geometry issues with the "dropped" springs. Blocks up or down are not a good idea in my book. I've knows some four wheelers who have tried them and had horror storys to tell about death wabble etc., when it was fine before they "fixed" it.
It is going to take more than both a lowered leaf and a dropped beam together to get a 4-5 foot drop. I suggest a shovel, or maybe a few shovels, some friends, and some beer.
i have both on mine.not happy. bumpsteer becomes an issue. if i coul;d i would go ifs with it if u can afford it
I have both on my 1959 and with the drag link flip from Sid at http://www.droppedaxles.com/CHEVY_AXLES.html#TXTOBJ7D8154316162C31 there is no bump steer to speak of and the truck drive nice other than a little stiff. If I could only do one or the other I would do the drop axle hands down. If done right the truck will more or less ride like stock.
Go for both.Ive been running with four inch lowering mono leafs and a two inch dropped axle for almost two years with nothing bad or unusual for this kind of set up.good luck
IF you go with the drop axle you can always take out a few leaves or reverse the eyes and de-arch the springs (both free if you do them yourself) to go a little lower.
That's what I did, 3" dropped axle and 3 leafs removed from the front spring packs. When running a dropped axle you'll probably also have to do a tie-rod "flip" so that the tie-rod runs under the springs. Bump steer occurs because after lowering, the drag link is no longer parallel to the frame. You can bend your steering arm, flip the drag link, or raise the steering box, or a combination of any of the above to get the drag link level and eliminate bump-steer.
Yo whats up Javier, You helped me with some tire questions a little while back. I was going top buy a 60 like yours ended up with a 48 chev. I ordered a drop 4" drop axel from Sids its about six weeks out. I just was wondering about the springs...thanks the rest of you guys too for the imput.
In general, you will lose travel with the drop springs which could result in a less than stellar ride. Not sure if that will be the case with your particular ride. Drop axles, if done correctly, ride just like stock. As mentioned previosly, tie rods, etc could need some tweakin.
tThanks for all the imput. I think im going with a 4" drop axel and blocks for the back. Ill post some pix when finished. Getting the axel from Sid, he says he's a few weeks out.
The truck shop sells just the front main leaf with a reverse eye. This is not the entire pack of leafs, just the main one. Check it out at www.truckandcarshop.com
I run a 1975 K5 Blazer 44" Boggers, 454 Chevy...lifted with 8" lift blocks. Drives on the Hwy. like a dream. If done right, no issues!
I just got word that a 4" dropped spindles are in the works for 47-53 chevy trucks right now. I will keep everyone informed as i know more.
WOW! this could be my answer, as I've been on the fence about dropping my truck. Still stock height now, need any guinea pig testers?
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