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01-03-2024, 02:43 PM | #1 |
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Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
I have a 1955 Ford Fairlane and I'm looking at lowering about 2" in the front.
I will be using blocks in the back, for the front I'm thinking about placing a 1" square tubing as a spacer on the spring pocket and extending the spring pocket. This is when I become confused, I have seen a few articles on this and they all give different final lowering numbers, I have seen 1 1/2" up to 2 3/4" drop. I would think if I used a 1" spacer I would get a 1" drop and so on, please let me know what I'm missing I would only like to do this one time and get it right the first time. Not sure if it makes a difference but I'm running Aerostar springs. Dorf55 |
01-03-2024, 03:23 PM | #2 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Since the spring is (more or less) in the center of the A frame, between the tire contact patch and the pivot point (bushing) a 1” drop at the spring gets larger (lower) in place. Easier to see if you draw a little picture.
The Aerostar’s are great springs, I really like the progressive winding, but they lower the car. 2” drop spindles (which IS a 2” drop) and Aerostar’s are often reported to be too low. So if the springs aren’t in or haven’t settled yet, you might think about that. Depends on your preference and driving conditions. |
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01-03-2024, 04:02 PM | #3 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Aerostar springs alone lowered my car 2-1/2". If you added 2" dropped spindles, the car would be sitting on the rocker panels! Are you sure that car isn't low enough now with your Aerostars?
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01-03-2024, 07:57 PM | #4 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
I brought up the drop spindles, not the OP. But your point is well taken if the Aerostar’s are not installed. More drop might be too much.
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01-03-2024, 10:22 PM | #5 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
lowering the rear will start to change your drive shaft angle at the trans and pinion.
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01-04-2024, 01:39 PM | #6 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
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01-04-2024, 01:46 PM | #7 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
You are wanting to slam the car?
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01-04-2024, 02:04 PM | #8 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Slam is a strong word I just want to lower the car another 1 1/2" all the way around.
Dorf55 |
01-05-2024, 08:17 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Quote:
Didn't mean to rain on your parade. I hope you find your answer.
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01-05-2024, 12:58 PM | #10 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
This is the stance i'm working with.
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01-05-2024, 01:48 PM | #11 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Pretty car, I like the color combo.
The diameter of the springs is real close to some of the Mustangs. The sites catering to them show spacers to go under the springs for fine tuning ride height with lowered springs. If you need a little tweaking when your done, it’s a cheap fix. |
01-05-2024, 02:18 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Quote:
I thought people put them in when the Aerostar springs lower too much, they put n the 1" insulators. |
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01-05-2024, 07:09 PM | #13 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Abe, that’s exactly what they do. But his original post is about the amount of a 1” drop at the spring pocket. And how much would the actual drop be. When I looked at the spacers there were a couple different sizes, but it turned out I didn’t need them and I haven’t looked lately. Easier to raise a bit with those spacers than rebuild the spring pocket.
Lowering is simple to do, but there’s other things to look at depending on the vehicle and amount. Bump stops come to mind, and turning radius into an uphill driveway. All things you live with on a lowered car. Dorf55, at least up here in the PNW, “slammed”, “dago’d” and “in the weeds” are descriptive terms, not derogatory. As I said, pretty car. Get it where you want it and enjoy the ride. |
01-06-2024, 01:51 AM | #14 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan wearing 56/57 Lincoln Premiere Hubcaps - Dorf55 |
01-06-2024, 06:23 AM | #15 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
THANX! for defending my honor Mike. Few would be willing to do it ...
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01-06-2024, 10:57 AM | #16 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
My 2 cents. leave it as it is.
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01-06-2024, 11:46 AM | #17 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
THANKS for all the input, I'll let you know how it turns out.
Kultulz just wanted you to know I took no offence to your "slam" statement just wanted to let you know I didn't want to "lay frame" just trying to adjust the attitude a little. DORF55 |
01-06-2024, 11:48 AM | #18 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Is this your car and current stance? You want it lower in the front?
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01-06-2024, 12:15 PM | #19 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
yes its my car I'm going for approximately 1 or 1 1/2" drop all the way around.
I know how to handle the back, was just trying to find info for lowering the front. |
01-06-2024, 02:44 PM | #20 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
The only way(s) I know to do it are -
1) - AIR SUSPENSION 2) - COIL OVER SHOCKS (ADJUSTABLE) 3) - CUTTING SMALL SECTIONS OUT OF THE SPRING AND REINSTALLING TO GET TO WANTED TRIM HEIGHT. If you cut too far, you would use the spring isolators (previously mentioned) to regain needed height. Just make sure the control arm bushings are good or you might be chasing your tail. ADDED - 4) - USING DROP SPINDLES - If Too Low w AEROSTAR SPRINGS, you would use isolators/spacers (under springs) to bring it to desired trim height.
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- AT MY AGE, ONE APPRECIATES A STURDY HANDRAIL - Last edited by KULTULZ; 01-07-2024 at 03:19 AM. Reason: THE USUAL - ADVANCED CRS |
01-06-2024, 08:35 PM | #21 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
Your 100 % right. Car looks great. Stance is right. More lowering will only give you trouble if you want this as a driver.
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01-07-2024, 10:05 PM | #22 |
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Re: Lowering my 55 Fairlane but I'm confused
So would I. Looks to me like it's already been lowered some. JMHO
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