Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Late V8 (1954+)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-16-2011, 01:56 PM   #1
TonyD
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 8
Default Lowering 1955 Ford CV

I am doing a driver quality Resto Mod on my Crown Vic and want to lower the stock front end. Have given a lot of thought to a 2 inch +/- drop. Considering several ways from cutting springs to QA1 adjustable coil overs. Looking for any tips from the crew. Thanks in advance.
TonyD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2011, 03:28 PM   #2
Ole Don
Senior Member
 
Ole Don's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: St. Michael, Minnesota
Posts: 1,713
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Remove the lower A arms. Drill out the rivets holding the spring buckets in. make up 1 1/2 square tube spacers, bolt it together with good quality bolts. The spring stays the same, the ride and handleing stay the same, the car sits two inches lower. It can be reversed if the next guys wants it that way.
Ole Don is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-16-2011, 11:16 PM   #3
parklane
Senior Member
 
parklane's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: St.Thomas, ON Canada
Posts: 598
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Get yourself a set of Arostar spings. They will lower front end and make a world of difference in ride/handling. A st of GRANADA/MOARCH spidles will give you disc brakes, and lower front 1 1/2 - 2"
__________________
If brains were wire, some couldn't short circuit a firefly
parklane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2011, 11:47 AM   #4
JeffB2
Senior Member
 
JeffB2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Phoenix,AZ
Posts: 1,417
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

You can pickup the Aerostar springs at your local Autozone part# FCS 850V $65 for the pair average drop is 2"-2 1/2" no modifications needed just replace the old springs,if you change shocks while you are at it the Gabriel Gas shocks are part# 85026 they will probably have both in stock.These shocks are a little shorter than the OEM Motorcrafts so are a perfect match for the new springs,you will love the improved ride and handling.For even more info click on this:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=332 put Aerostar springs in search and you will find tons of info,how to,and before and after pictures,while you are there join up and do an intro.

Last edited by JeffB2; 12-17-2011 at 11:59 AM.
JeffB2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2011, 03:33 PM   #5
Junknshit
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wash.
Posts: 233
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Where is the drop being measured at on these ways of lowering?
Junknshit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2011, 04:44 PM   #6
34pickup
Senior Member
 
34pickup's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Huntsville Al
Posts: 1,526
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I like parklane's idea about the Granada disc brake spindles.I used to drive a 56 and nearly bent the steering wheel from holding on and standing on the brakes trying to stop in certain situations (speeding). Disc brakes are a great idea on any car,especially the old Fords.
34pickup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2011, 12:45 AM   #7
46yblock
Senior Member
 
46yblock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: S. Oregon
Posts: 304
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

So, Granada disc brake spindle plus Aerostar springs will give how much drop? Do each add up to around 4 inches? What is a source for Granada disc brake spindles? Is all this applicable to my '55 station wagon? 4 questions in one post isnt usually too good .
__________________
Mike, S. Oregon 46 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Merc Meteor S33, '54 Ford 600 tractor, '64 Falcon Futura, 1960 Thunderbird
46yblock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2011, 06:04 AM   #8
Junknshit
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wash.
Posts: 233
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

What modifications to do Granada/Monarch spindles/brakes?
Junknshit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2011, 09:50 AM   #9
Ole Don
Senior Member
 
Ole Don's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: St. Michael, Minnesota
Posts: 1,713
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

The Granada spindles need the lower spindle hole reamed with a tapered reamer to fit the 55 ball joint. When installed, the turn stops no longer line up. I used 3/8 round rod about eight inches long welded inside the A arm turn stop . They have not bent in ten years use. I also robbed the dead Granada of the differential valve, located on the inner fender on the left side. There are several master cylinders you can choose from. I used a 69 Torino M/C adapter to raise the M/C so I can get the rocker covers off the Y block for annual rocker adjustment. The adaptor is now available from Speedway for 50 bucks.
Ole Don is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2011, 03:37 PM   #10
Junknshit
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wash.
Posts: 233
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Thank you Ole Don, and others, appreciate it.
Junknshit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2011, 04:31 PM   #11
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

I'm using Granada spindles and 1" SOLID spacers similar to the spacers that Ole Don discribed above for a total of ~3" drop. Just be aware that you will have to trim the lower A arm rubber stops.

You can see in this picture how far the tire is in the well.


Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 10-15-2012 at 07:15 PM.
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2011, 04:52 PM   #12
georgewarren
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Suffolk, VA & Key West, FL
Posts: 119
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Just be aware that shorter springs change the geometry somewhat, but from experience not such a big deal. I think Fatman's make dropped spindles that do not alter the geometry.
georgewarren is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2011, 07:10 PM   #13
Junknshit
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wash.
Posts: 233
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Y-Blockhead, really like your wheel/tire treatment. Clean-simple

I've trimmed snubbers before. Had one 55 in about 60 or 61 that the top of the tires hit the inner fender panels when you hit those blacktop expansion joints in the old concrete hi-ways with more than two people in it. And at that low, was able to align front end. Lower A frame spacers and cut coils. 4" blocks and rearched springs in rear. Had to raise driveshaft tunnel.

Last edited by Junknshit; 12-18-2011 at 07:19 PM.
Junknshit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2012, 09:32 PM   #14
FordFairlane55
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 25
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

1st I fully agree with georgewarren, "shorter springs change the geometry". Also shock performance. This can effect handling/control.

2nd I fully agree with parklane, the Granada spindles/discs are the way to go.

The other trick I used on my Crown Vic was tweeking the tire size. I had new steel rims made up (look just like stock and accept the stock hubcap) (Wheel Smith - Coroma, CA) that are wider, so I could mount a lower profile tire (dropping the front end a little more) while also putting more rubber on the pavement to take advantage of the disc brakes (60-70% of the stopping power is up front). Tires from Diamond Back Classics, Conway, SC. As you know, the 55 came with very tall and skinny rims/tires. The result is an original looking car that is slightly lower, but better performing/safer.
FordFairlane55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2012, 02:43 AM   #15
JeffB2
Senior Member
 
JeffB2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Phoenix,AZ
Posts: 1,417
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

The Ford Aerostar spring swap will work on all 1949-59 Fords and Mercs there are probably well over a hundred plus posts on the HAMB from folks that have done it and they all will tell you the ride and handling is very much improved over stock.As the above post states "This can effect handling/control" however it is much for the better add either the Garbiel gas shocks or KYB's and you will be very happy with the results and your wallet will thank you.
JeffB2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2012, 10:41 AM   #16
frank long island
Senior Member
 
frank long island's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: westbury ny
Posts: 854
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

it will work on the wagon i did it to my 55 merc only i used the stock springs along with the ranger rear and had 4 wheel disks used a universal power master/booster 1 inch bore for dual disks made a mount and it worked great no valves or restrictors on lines
frank long island is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2012, 07:11 PM   #17
Limey Steve
Junior Member
 
Limey Steve's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Whittier
Posts: 17
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

Great info here , we are looking at doing a 55 Customline .

Thanks
Limey Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2012, 04:39 AM   #18
raceron1120
Senior Member
 
raceron1120's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ellsworth Michigan
Posts: 1,807
Default Re: Lowering 1955 Ford CV

I had Aerostar springs put on my '56, it dropped the front by about 2"-2 1/2". Did nothing else and noticed improvement in handling - definitely better than with the stock springs.
raceron1120 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:57 PM.