[suedespade]

I'm wanting to lower my '52 chevy 1/2ton and was wondering if anybody has or knows if it's possible, safe, etc to use lowering blocks on the front leafsprings. I want to drop it 3" and this would be the cheapest way that I can see. I've looked online and haven't found any information regarding this at all, good or bad. Hopefully someone here can help me out. Thanks in advance!

[home brew]

The reason you haven't been able to find any information on lowering blocks for your truck is because they won't work on your front springs. Lowering blocks are placed between the springs and the axle. The springs on your truck are mounted on top of the axle and placing lowering blocks between the springs and the axle will actually raise the truck not lower it.

Dropped axles are available for your suspension. As well you could take out some leaves from the spring pack. Another possibility is to have the springs re-arched to reduce the curve and help with the lowering.

I had a 51 five window a few years back with a 350/400 combo. There are several members building AD pickups, suburbans and panels on this site. Check out the Project Journals section of the site for the members builds. As well use the Knowledge Base and the search function for quick answers to your questions. Here are a few links I have collected over the years:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/6975/specspag.htm

http://chevy.tocmp.com/1948_51truckshop/index.htm

http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyowner/52tomindex.htm

http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyresources.htm

http://www.stovebolt.com/

http://www.50chevy.freeservers.com/topics.htm#Topics

http://www.alanhorvath.com/54chevy/index.php

http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/

http://www.ad-engineering.com/

P.S. I spent the first 14 years of my life growing up in P.A.

[suedespade]

I've thought about using a dropped axle but I know that I can use lowering blocks on my truck in the rear for sure, I just have to pull out the rearend drop the leafs, slide the rearend back in and bolt up the leafs with a block inbetween the axle and leafs. This would put the axle on top of a block and on top of the leafs, therefore lowering it... alot. I've seen this done many times but haven't seen or heard of it done in the front. By my figuring it should work, and be alot cheaper than a dropped axle, lowered leafs, or getting them rearched. I was just wondering about any safety issues there may be??? I'll check out those sites though, thanks!

[poncho62]

Take a look under your truck...and you will see that the back axle sits on top of the leaf springs, whereas the front axle sits under the leaf springs. That's why you can't use blocks on the front.

Some rodders have taken the axle and put it on top of the front springs, but there are safety concerns about how to properly do that too..

[suedespade]

That's what I was planning on doing was putting it on top of the springs in the front. But what are these safety issues??? I know it'll make it lower and I might have to modify my steering arm and I'll have less suspension travel but none of these things have to do with safety that I can see!?!?

[poncho62]

Because the cast mounting pad on the axle won't be against the spring. The other rounded side of the axle will be......wont sit solid on the spring.

[kruzr]

That is a serious "job"....I''ve seen it done on old Ford f-1, said he wasted his time and money, if you do attempt this make sure you get caster angle right.Axle has locating hole that meets spring center bolt. If you put axle on top what will locate it? Can't weld on that axle.Dropped axle lot safer,should be lots around as guys going to "clips".

[suedespade]

finally some answers, thank you.

[home brew]

Originally Posted by suedespade

finally some answers, thank you.

I thought everybody who posted gave you great answers to your questions. Who didn't?