Lowering the Front End

[boze]

have just taken delivery of a restored '57 custom with the y-block. i had disc brakes and 2 1/2" dropped spindles installed from drop n stop. the car now has, but not enough attitude for me. i want to have cut 1 coil to drop it another 2". any comments or suggestions?

[RICH MUISE]

I belive the general opinion is cutting the coil springs can change steering geometry. Others have said no, and some have used aerostar springs to lower. Have you considered getting additional rake with different tire/wheel combinations? If you check thru the older posts I think you'll find more info. The guys at Eaton Spring in Detroit told me it was best to lower with dropped spindles rather than altering springs.

[shopratwoody]

Been cutting coils since the 50's. One coil can be made up with
shims for alignment. I would cut a coil if it was mine.

[KidKourier]

       Like Rich stated--larger tires in back or you could try air shocks in back--as you add air pressure the back goes up the front goes down! KID

[boze]

shopratwoody,

love the way your ranchero sits.

like you, i have also chopped one coil with dropped spindles on various past cars ('55 chev with a 350, '57 ford custom 300 with a 351 ford motor. they both sat just right with good attitude) whenever i had one coil cut i never had a problem with re-alignment. eaton springs which has a 2" lowering spring, for the '57, also told me one cut coil on a stock spring will give me the same drop, 2 inches, and stiffen the spring much like their spring. he wouldn't cut more than 1 coil, though, from the stock spring and they don't sell a lowering spring with more than 2 inch drop.

so, shopratwoody, how have you got your ranchero sitting so good?

boze

[shopratwoody]

Torino spindles, cut coils and blocks in the rear.
I have a bro that's been in Parker for about 40 yrs. On the river
of course. My Ranchero lived at the River for awhile.
Ron

[Frankenstein57]

I've read a number of posts about using aerostar springs, the guys were getting some lowering,  without sacrificing ride. I have a article bookmarked that I saw on the HAMB, but I can't figure out how to forward it. Mark

[tarheel57]

Shopratwoody your ranchero sits great.how much did you cut from your coils? Do most people cut full rounds or can you cut 1/2 round at a time? Tarheel57

[deucekoop]

 Hey im in the process of lowering my retractable front end. Can you tell. me where to get the dropped spindles

[RICH MUISE]

Great to see a lot of new guys posting this week...welcome to all of you. Dropped spindles..Fatman makes dropped spindles for the 57's..there a welded ass'y and a little pricey imho. Most of the guys, including myself have done the dropped spindles at the same time as disc brake conversion. The kit is available thru drop 'n stop and you won't find a whole lot of difference in price between fatman's spindles and drop 'n stops complete kit including rotors and calipers.They use reworked Granada spindles. Dave at drop 'n stop is real good at answering questions.I have a pic posted in the Gallery..in "under construction" of the setup. Rich

[boze]

deucekoop,

go to drop n stop   www.dropnstop.com    or fatman fabrications for dropped spindles.
in either case you're going to have to install disc brakes as that's what the spindles require.
the discs can be bought from both.

[Zapato]

Do a search for Bob Lewis bracket racing on his site he covers the 75-80 Granada/Monarch spindle swap and has a complete list of parts needed to complete. I effectively drops the front 2 inches and is a disc brake conversion with easy to source parts at the same time.

Zap-

Found it     http://home.comcast.net/~robert.lewis23/disc.htm

[44knuckle]

I put new coil springs on the front of my 1957 Ford Fairlane 500.  Now the front is 1.5" higher than the rear measured at the axle locations from the ground to the bottom of the fender.  I do not like how it sits. Anyone know how much coil I should cut off to achieve a level stance?

[RICH MUISE]

Note this thread is 15 years old, so, at least some info given is no longer applicable (such as drop n' stop---they shut down a few yeqars ago.)
Hopefully Lynn will see this and give you some accurate dimensions, but with that said, if I recall correctly, I think about 1 inch off the total length will give you the 1 1/2 you're looking for. that's 1 INCH, NOT 1 coil. Wait for confirmation from other members though.
Also, the springs probably will settle over time about an inch, so keep that in mind.
Also, what is the condition of the REAR springs? If they are worn, it could account for the reverse rake you now have. I went with 6 leaf Ranchero springs when I was trying to get the California rake I wanted. I found out when I did that, that the Ranchero springs are designed to add an inch of height. They also help alot with reducing sway.

[44knuckle]

Thanks Rich.  I think you are correct that I should give it time for the springs to settle.  I hope to hear from others also. Thank you, I appreciate your reply.