Dropping a '55 Packard...what in the???

Whats up with the front suspension on a '55 Packard Clipper? We got one sitting about 3 feet off the ground in the front. It looks like some weird torsion bar setup or something behind the control arm.

Anyway, this thing needs to be brough back down to earth...any suggestions/info?

Thanks fellas.

 

Frame swap. or gut the torsion bars and replace with coil springs or airbags. S'why I got rid of my sweet 56 clipper 2-door hard top. Didn't have the time nor place to do such a thing to it.

 

That car has a wild rig with two t bars running the length of the car and then two extra short bars motorized to level rear. If you figger out how main bars are mounted and adjuste, maybe you'll have a real easy way to lower it...

Anybody remember the 1960's built A phaeton with this Packard setup??

 

thats affirmative torison bars it is all the way around sucks dont it a buddy of mine had one that sat 9 miles high only way to do it is a frame swap or cut em out and 4 link the rear

 

My brians getting foggy but I seem to remember getting about 6 buddies to sit on the front end and then there was a way to lock it there. It was cool.

Any other old timers out there remember?

 

It's not that hard,I have done it once.



In front you have to cut this piece so it is about 2" long.That is one in the midle of the picture hanging down.Picture is front suspension without A-arms.



In the rear you have to fabricate a common lovering blocks between trailing arms and rear axle.2" high should do it.




This is good site to see how to unload the torsion bars etc.
You have to be very careful with the torsion bars,there is lots of pover on those things.

http://www.1956packardpanther.com/history.html

 

Kartsa,
got any more pics of that orange Packard??? Please share if you do
Anyone else have any pics of Kustom Packards?
Thanks -Junkie

 

Hey Billy thats my old car how many people do you know with a 55 Packard

 

Kartsa,

thanks for sharing the pics...that is a bad ass 55...
Junkie

 

More info in the www.aaca.org Packard forum, too. I know I read somewhere that lowering these by cranking the rods down, like you would on a Mopar, messes up the suspension geometry on these cars if it's not done right.