[rusty duck]

My '37 ford coupe has a Fatman front suspension and I would like to lower the front end one inch. I have not weighed the front end, but the coupe is all steel and body is stock, running a chevy 350 motor. I am thinking about cutting one coil on the front springs to get it down an inch. OK or bad idea? Other suggestions?
Thanks

[matts37chev]

are these the stock style MII coils?

[35WINDOW]

Do you have dropped Spindles on it?

[shine]

cutting springs is always a bad idea. buy a set of shorter springs. keeping in mind the grille chin pan is the lowest part of the car.

[rusty duck]

The springs are stock style MII and not running dropped spindles. If cutting one coil is a bad idea where would I get shorter springs?

[35WINDOW]

If it were me, I'd buy a set of dropped spindles-you will keep you current spring rates (meaning, ride quality)-if you go with shorter springs you will lose suspension travel, which usually means you will up the rate of the springs-that will make the ride more harsh (generally)-

http://www.fatmanfab.com/images/optionshub2hub.jpg

(bottom of page)-

[rusty duck]

Thanks for your opinion. I appreciate it.

[matts37chev]

I would call fatmans, they have a chart for the different springs for the weight of the car
make sure you have the correct ones first

you can cut a coil, if your budget is super tight
but the best way would be to go for the dropped spindles

[rusty duck]

On my coupe the distance between the bottom of the grille and ground is currently 6 1/4". If I go to 2" dropped spindles the distance between the bottom of the grille and the ground would be 4 1/4". I currently have P185-70R-14 wheels/tires on the front. Anyone have theirs this low without trouble hitting on driveways, speed bumps, etc.? I guess I could go to a taller front tire, but again that's $$. Is 4 1/4" asking for trouble? I am a pretty careful driver.

[Biothree]

Originally Posted by rusty duck

On my coupe the distance between the bottom of the grille and ground is currently 6 1/4". If I go to 2" dropped spindles the distance between the bottom of the grille and the ground would be 4 1/4". I currently have P185-70R-14 wheels/tires on the front. Anyone have theirs this low without trouble hitting on driveways, speed bumps, etc.? I guess I could go to a taller front tire, but again that's $$. Is 4 1/4" asking for trouble? I am a pretty careful driver.

Is there a 1 inch shorter tire?

[rusty duck]

do you mean a 1" taller tire?

[Biothree]

Originally Posted by rusty duck

do you mean a 1" taller tire?

I don't think so. If the front end needs to be lowered 1" then a 2" shorter tire would lower the front end 1". P185 60R 14's are shorter but there may be an looks or a rubbing (when truning) problem. Just have to look at tire sizes and heights. My point is that it may be a lot cheaper to buy two tires than springs or spindles.

[shine]

i would advise you check prices on 37 grilles. at 4 " you will need a few.

[rusty duck]

Biothree, thanks for your thoughts. I get it about checking tire heights. And, Shine, you are probably right, and your reply made me smile. I do have another nice original grille, but don't want to use it to replace one that being stupid caused it to be needed.