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Need Help, Lowering a 1954 Chevy 3100 Front End.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by low50s, May 24, 2010.

  1. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    3" lowered multisprings for the front are the way to go. You're looking at $400 for the pair from the car and truck shop or Brothers. It's a easy job, takes a fraction of the time it would to install a dropped axle. Plus you don't have to mess with any steering components. And you can always remove a leaf or 2 to drop it more.
     
  2. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    X2. The end has to go back up the same amount you lowered it.
     
  3. low50s
    Joined: Feb 2, 2009
    Posts: 129

    low50s
    Member

    Yes I see speedway has droped springs for $350 and they are in stock. Thought about maybe using them for now, then when i get the extra money built up, add a dropped axle on top of the springs. If I can pick up the bracket, and then get the part numbers i can pick up from the parts store cheep (def cheeper than the kit) I will run the disk brakes.
     
  4. TMoney
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 804

    TMoney
    Member

    Just make sure you have the clearance for all that drop. Both drop components, springs and axle, will give you 6" of drop, obviously. Make sure that everything can move that close to the ground. I know mine is probably dropped about that much and my oil pan is right at my scrub line. Maybe a little too close for comfort. I don't have a stock engine though.

    Something to think about.
     
  5. johnny bondo
    Joined: Aug 20, 2005
    Posts: 1,547

    johnny bondo
    Member
    from illinois

    you can bolt in a 49-54 chevy car front clip. they unbolt right from the frame with 8 bolts. you can get them for almost nothing...... ok so what do i win?
     
  6. TMoney
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 804

    TMoney
    Member

    Unbolt? My truck's front clip doesn't just unbolt.
     
  7. johnny bondo
    Joined: Aug 20, 2005
    Posts: 1,547

    johnny bondo
    Member
    from illinois


    re read what i wrote.... i said CAR! also, technically the truck front ends do unbolt. you take out the leaf bolts, undue the steering arm, take off the brake line, and unbolt the shocks and the entire thing rolls out.
     
  8. TMoney
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 804

    TMoney
    Member

    Ahhhh...sorry. Reread.
     
  9. low50s
    Joined: Feb 2, 2009
    Posts: 129

    low50s
    Member

    how much of a drop do they give you?
     
  10. OldSub
    Joined: Aug 27, 2003
    Posts: 1,064

    OldSub
    Member Emeritus

    There is a thread by NONAME describing this swap. While the suspension does unbolt from the car its not quite that simple mounting it in the truck. A little searching on his username should bring the thread up. Be aware his truck is a '54 GMC 3/4-ton so some of the details will be slightly different.
     
  11. johnny bondo
    Joined: Aug 20, 2005
    Posts: 1,547

    johnny bondo
    Member
    from illinois

  12. 55 Mercury
    Joined: Mar 18, 2006
    Posts: 888

    55 Mercury
    Member

  13. turtlesdove3
    Joined: May 27, 2010
    Posts: 10

    turtlesdove3
    Member

    Did you fix it? Were you able to match the axle?
     
  14. low50s
    Joined: Feb 2, 2009
    Posts: 129

    low50s
    Member

    I will hopefuly be attemping some of the swap this sunday/ early week when im not at work.
     
  15. jxnslotcar
    Joined: Apr 26, 2009
    Posts: 321

    jxnslotcar
    Member

    Looks like a really nice setup.
     
  16. NONAME dropper. the 49 passenger front suspension gave me a 7 inch drop. 54 uprights will give me another 1 1/2 if needed. I'm upgrading to corvette springs and sway bar.
    this suspension was used on passenger cars from 49-54 and corvettes from 53-62.
    it's not a bolt in but it does fit real nice
    I never have done a tech article. I'm reluctant to reccomend it to a novice builder (like me) but it does offer a cheap strong independent front suspension.
     
  17. OldSub
    Joined: Aug 27, 2003
    Posts: 1,064

    OldSub
    Member Emeritus

    LOL! But I actually have met you and even know your real name...

    Every time I drive past the end of your road I think about driving up and seeing if you're making any progress on this truck.
     
  18. Steve,
    Don't be shy! I always fire the first round high.

    Sinister here on the HAMB did the drawing in my avatar and got me all fired up and building again. should be back on the road soon.

    My customers always come first and my projects seem to suffer. now I'm getting my truck finished so I can free up 2 more stalls for customers cars.. a win win situation, I'm thinking.
    really the only thing holding me up is the headers and I have one side done.
    Jim
     
  19. Sinister
    Joined: Jan 19, 2004
    Posts: 710

    Sinister
    Member
    from Oregon

    Shit! Is this why you invited me over? LOL.

    Thanks for the kind words about my art. Looking forward to helping you get it back on the road.
     
  20. OldSub
    Joined: Aug 27, 2003
    Posts: 1,064

    OldSub
    Member Emeritus

    Now I feel a little guilty. No way you'd know, but I've been down hard fighting cancer since last fall and that means almost zero progress on my projects.

    Good news is I'm now cancer free and within a month of being able to return home and then expect to use working in my shop as rehab before going back to work late this year or early next.

    But the COE is still way back burner right now.
     
  21. J Man
    Joined: Dec 11, 2003
    Posts: 4,131

    J Man
    Member
    from Angola, IN

    I have a clipped chassis I can sell you for $400, PM me if interested.
     
  22. good to hear, anything I can do to help. or better yet stop by and I'll let you practice on mine. I have got more done in the last week than I've done in the last year
     
  23. OldSub
    Joined: Aug 27, 2003
    Posts: 1,064

    OldSub
    Member Emeritus

    Probably nothing you can do, but I appreciate the offer.

    Next time I'm in the area, which may not be for months yet, I'll stop by. If I'm still an invalid my brother who considered buying your truck will be my driver.

    I plan to attend the Canby swap meet in October but hopefully it won't be that long before I can travel that far and visit family.
     
  24. TMoney
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 804

    TMoney
    Member

    So? Did you get anywhere on it?
     
  25. low50s
    Joined: Feb 2, 2009
    Posts: 129

    low50s
    Member

    Yes I got the axle, and springs off, I removed every other 4 out of the 8 liefs, I am going to have to stick with this for the time being. I got my floors put in the truck today, now I just have to make my toe bords and kick pannels. I will just have to run these spings for now, then i can allways take and get a dropped axle from sid later, I just want to get the truck on the road as fast as possable.
     
  26. TMoney
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 804

    TMoney
    Member

    Sounds likie a good plan. If you want to drive it asap then I would just run with what you got. Then later you can do the major swap. Good luck!
     
  27. low50s
    Joined: Feb 2, 2009
    Posts: 129

    low50s
    Member

    yes, thats what I figured, everyone allways says get it on the road, its more easy to take baby steps back then trying to do it all at once. does anyone have sugestions for adding a power booster mounted on the firewall? or know of one that would be a great addition for the braking system? as soon as the axle gets back under the truck i should rebuild my brakes.
     
  28. TMoney
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 804

    TMoney
    Member

    Look on ebay. There are replacement mc's on there that bolt in the stock spot and are way better than the stock one.
     
  29. 1bdsinner
    Joined: Jun 6, 2006
    Posts: 544

    1bdsinner
    Member
    from phoenix

    I agree you can even notch the frame out and it will sit right in.. they did it back in the day why not do it now.. Neal from Alb has done it with great results..

    haha I clipped mine 74 nova since i got the whole nova for 100 bcks i couldnt pass that up.. power steering hoses made up to go to 302 pump and walla.. it will be the daily
     
  30. Hemi8me
    Joined: Sep 21, 2010
    Posts: 98

    Hemi8me
    Member

    How is this projected going? I am kinda looking at a 54 chevy truck here in Ohio.

    I was wondering something. When you put the drop axle in, can you put in a system to raise the front too? The approach to my driveway is a little steep. Can front air shocks be put on to raise the front end?
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    Last edited: Nov 8, 2010

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