December 05, 2025 8:24 am

Author Topic: simplebut often asked subject  (Read 13774 times)

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Offline sixinarow

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simplebut often asked subject
« on: January 26, 2007 7:59 pm »
ive been lookin around on the HAMB and have read pros and cons that cancel each other out on the topic of lowering w/o bags or notching.
so i am now asking those that cruise the roads around the FM area about how to lower 3-4 inches using blocks, playing with springs and all the low budget stuff. if i can affoard it this summer i might look into dropped spindles.
sorry my first post is a simplistic subject, but i dont want to end up tilted on the shoulder with a spring through the floor, and the front is the area that i need the most advice on lowering.
"If you can't fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."

"Such a fine line between clever and stupid."

Offline Eyeball

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RE: simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2007 9:06 pm »
What is the car?
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline racerjohnson

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RE: simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2007 9:13 pm »
For me, from a handling standpoint, drop spindles are the best way to go vs. drop springs.
Let me try to explain:
Drop spindles shorten the moment arm (the invisible "lever" arm between your roll center and center of gravity) more than drop springs by lowering the center of gravity of the vehicle without changing your stock front suspension geometry. Drop springs lower your center of gravity AND your roll center. I believe a shorter moment arm means the front of the truck will transfer less weight from the inside tire to the outside tire, and for the range of use for your truck, you'll like the handling better with that shorter moment arm.
I believe drop springs are usually shorter AND stiffer, and that sucks, cuz you'll lose suspension travel most importantly in rebound. When the inside tire runs out of rebound travel, the weight riding on the outside tire skyrockets and makes you understeer, killing your handling; and your ride will suffer. Also changes the front/rear spring balance and makes the vehicle act goofy.

Sorry, I could discuss this all day. And you called it "simplistic".  1 vote for drop spindles.
The problem with having an artistic eye is that you always end up making more work for yourself. -Cleatus on the HAMB

Offline Eyeball

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RE: simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2007 9:22 pm »
If it is coil spring front and you want it done on the cheap either lower the spring bucket or cut 1 or 2 coils. you will loose ride quality but nothing you can't live with.

If the rear is sprung with parallel leaf I would use blocks. If you want to make it a little more complicated you can move the springs to the inside of the frame and drop about 4".
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline racerjohnson

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RE: simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2007 9:29 pm »
better yet, just heat up the coil spring until it drops to the height you want it
The problem with having an artistic eye is that you always end up making more work for yourself. -Cleatus on the HAMB

Offline Eyeball

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RE: simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2007 9:57 pm »
ummmmmmmmmmmmmm DO NOT DO THAT!  You drinking this afternoon? :)
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline sixinarow

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RE: simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2007 10:24 pm »
the car is a 51 styleline deluxe. im gonna go with eyeball and not torch them.
"If you can't fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."

"Such a fine line between clever and stupid."

ratfink

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2007 12:27 am »
After that insightful and accurate post by RJ I'm sure he was just kidding :wink: when he suggested heating the coils.

Offline Eyeball

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2007 12:48 am »
Nope he is drunk....:)
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline Serious

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2007 1:53 am »
I cut 1.5 coils from the front of my edsel, i didnt loose alot of ride quality. SOme yes, but it is definately liveable.  and it got WAY low...  hahahahhah

Ryan

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2007 4:01 am »
Adjusting in the way of coil springs you also have to keep in mind that the camber of the wheels will change.  This is a concern if you are running expensive tires(Whitewall radials come to mind!) as, over time, it will prematurely wear out the edge of your tires.  It is always good to know a good alignment guy in this case.

Offline racerjohnson

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2007 9:21 pm »
i love drop spindles. . . and premium grain belt

i wouldn't really suggest somone else do it, but I heated up the front springs on the '72 Monte.
The problem with having an artistic eye is that you always end up making more work for yourself. -Cleatus on the HAMB

Offline racerjohnson

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2007 1:33 am »
:lol: oh yeah, don't disassemble hemis when youre drunk or pieces of cylinder wall will fall out of the block :D



and don't foget I LOVE fuzzy bunnies and crafting! I will have these for sale soon! :albino:


Love Racerjohnson!
The problem with having an artistic eye is that you always end up making more work for yourself. -Cleatus on the HAMB

Offline Eyeball

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2007 3:45 am »
Oh Mr. Johnson........fucking with the moderators is not recommended. :)
soaken wet shoes and winkled fingers...
hours and hours
inch at a time...

henryj1951 HAMB

Offline racerjohnson

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simplebut often asked subject
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2007 4:02 am »
ya i wallpaper too
The problem with having an artistic eye is that you always end up making more work for yourself. -Cleatus on the HAMB