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Technical TECH MONTH: Stepping lower A arms(king pin style)

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by droplord49, Dec 16, 2008.

  1. Dan
    Joined: Mar 13, 2001
    Posts: 2,384

    Dan
    Member

    are '49-'54 lower arms interchangable? Want to find another set to do this to rather than cutting up the ones currently on my '54...
     
  2. niceguyede
    Joined: Jan 19, 2009
    Posts: 633

    niceguyede
    Member
    from dallas

    I think its 49-52. 53 and 54 used different uprights, but they interchange with 49-52. the later uprights give you an additional 1/2 to 3/4 inch of drop. You might check around cause I think the uprights are the only difference, but Im not positive.
     
  3. HardTimesHC
    Joined: May 4, 2012
    Posts: 9

    HardTimesHC
    Member
    from Seattle

    this is cool thanks!
     
  4. cosmic12
    Joined: Oct 16, 2011
    Posts: 422

    cosmic12
    Member

    Going to whack mine today!:eek: Hope it all works out:rolleyes: Great thread and should save me alot of$$$$$$$$$$
     
  5. cornbinder52
    Joined: Dec 31, 2006
    Posts: 385

    cornbinder52
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Droplord, any pics of the chop on that thing? Having trouble finding tech on 4 door chops.
     
  6. cosmic12
    Joined: Oct 16, 2011
    Posts: 422

    cosmic12
    Member

    I did it, think it should work out ok. I put a plate on the controll arm 1st before putting the link back on. I countersunk it into the arm so that the diamention stay the same. I haven't put the springs back in yet or put it on the ground but it looks like I will end up with 4 to 5"s between the controll arm and the pavement. Need to get the steering arms set up now for the rack.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. spiders web
    Joined: Jan 16, 2011
    Posts: 387

    spiders web
    Member

    Hey cosmic, Where did you get the disc brake set up or did you make it?
     
  8. cosmic12
    Joined: Oct 16, 2011
    Posts: 422

    cosmic12
    Member

    Got the bearing adptor and caliper mount from Street Rod Headquarters.
    Not real happy with it though, none of the holes lined up and the bearing adptor didn't work real good eather.Had to do alot of work to get any of it to fit. Rotors/calipers/pads from NAPA.
     
  9. greasebandit0801
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 186

    greasebandit0801
    Member
    from houston

    Think I try to do this on my Christmas off days
     
  10. deeddude
    Joined: Aug 30, 2011
    Posts: 127

    deeddude
    Member

    I think that was the day I did mine last year, wife wasn't real proud of me.:); but when it's your only day off when else can it be done.
     
  11. cosmic12
    Joined: Oct 16, 2011
    Posts: 422

    cosmic12
    Member

    Got the springs back in and the steering rack in. To my surprize the 2" drop steering arms didn't work but I put the stock ones back on and they are perfect. So I have a set of dropped arms for sale now.
     
    Habitual likes this.
  12. droplord49
    Joined: Jan 12, 2004
    Posts: 1,690

    droplord49
    Member
    from Bryan, Tx

    Yeah, no need for dropped arms with this mod. I'm glad this thread still pops up now and then and that it has helped so many with their projects!
     
    robert4005 likes this.
  13. cosmic12
    Joined: Oct 16, 2011
    Posts: 422

    cosmic12
    Member

    Forgot the pic on the last post:rolleyes:
     

    Attached Files:

    Habitual likes this.
  14. Lowboy44
    Joined: Jul 22, 2010
    Posts: 38

    Lowboy44
    Member
    from New Jersey

    Awesome thread..gonna save me a bunch of cash
     
  15. 51fordor
    Joined: Sep 16, 2010
    Posts: 215

    51fordor
    Member

    Dropped my 54 this past couple weekends using this thread. The rear is 3" blocks, and the front is stepped lower arms, and 1 1/4 coils cut. My coils must have sagged a lot over the last 60 years. Now my front is a little to low. It's fine sitting but once a driver gets in the exhaust is on the ground. So hunting for some new coils. This time only cutting a half coil if any at all. Either way it looks bitchin! LOL
     

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    leadfootloon likes this.
  16. Can you change the exhaust? The stance is KILLER!
     
  17. 51fordor
    Joined: Sep 16, 2010
    Posts: 215

    51fordor
    Member

    I wish but it's still to low. Once we pack the wife and kids with me the cross member is almost on the ground. I do love the stance!

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  18. StefanS
    Joined: Oct 7, 2013
    Posts: 1,287

    StefanS
    Member
    from Maryland

    Anybody ever considered doing this for a monetary fee for those who don't weld? For instance, say a guy has a '54 chevy 150 and wants it lowered. The guy has never welded a day in his life but wants his car lowered just a bit. Now, instead of spending a bunch of cash on a welder and a year to learn (the guy is buying a welder but not for a while, and it'll be even longer till his skills are good enough for this type of thing) he could ship the arms to someone who has done it successfully, have them do it and ship them back.
     
  19. daddio211
    Joined: Aug 26, 2008
    Posts: 6,012

    daddio211
    Member

  20. droplord49
    Joined: Jan 12, 2004
    Posts: 1,690

    droplord49
    Member
    from Bryan, Tx

    There's no more liability in it than any other suspension modification(bag job, front clip swap/mustang II install, four link install, etc). I've done several sets of control arms for other people.
     
  21. daddio211
    Joined: Aug 26, 2008
    Posts: 6,012

    daddio211
    Member

  22. Devin
    Joined: Dec 28, 2004
    Posts: 2,369

    Devin
    Member
    from Napa, CA

    I like this technique a lot and plan to do it on the '50 I'm picking up. One thing tht I need help understanding is why this won't affect the geometry and bump steer? I'm unable to visualize. Someone please explain this.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  23. niceguyede
    Joined: Jan 19, 2009
    Posts: 633

    niceguyede
    Member
    from dallas

    It does affect the geometry, but not enough to cause bumpsteer. After we did this to my brother's 52 it actually improved the feel of the steering.

    Sent from my LG-P769 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  24. 51fordor
    Joined: Sep 16, 2010
    Posts: 215

    51fordor
    Member

    Steering is much more nimble now. Also feels lighter. I love the way the car handles now.
     

    Attached Files:

  25. StefanS
    Joined: Oct 7, 2013
    Posts: 1,287

    StefanS
    Member
    from Maryland

    So whatta you say droplord...would you be willing to do it and if so how much would you charge?
     
  26. niceguyede
    Joined: Jan 19, 2009
    Posts: 633

    niceguyede
    Member
    from dallas

    I will do it for ya if you can't find someone local. PM me

    Sent from my LG-P769 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  27. StefanS
    Joined: Oct 7, 2013
    Posts: 1,287

    StefanS
    Member
    from Maryland

    I pm'ed you niceguyed. I went to the local junk yard today to pick up a set of arms from them so I coluld keep my originals original and they wanted $50 a piece...looks like my cars gonna have a little down time
     
  28. 54LedSled
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 362

    54LedSled
    Member

    What tool did everyone use to cut their arms?

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  29. great old tech!
     
  30. Devoted
    Joined: Jun 1, 2010
    Posts: 57

    Devoted
    Member
    from DFW Texas

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