48 coupe- what else do you need besides the dropped axle

[Bolts]

I searched for a discussion on lowering the front end but couldn't find anything. I think I saw something on it in the past.
How do you lower the front end of a 48 car?
Is it as simple as using a dropped axle?

[JSeery]

A dropped axle will do the trick. Might take a look at Sids site. http://www.droppedaxles.com/CONTACT_INFO.html

[woodiewagon46]

You can also drop the front end with a custom spring or a spring with "reversed shackle eyes". How crazy do you want to get, modified cross members and dropped spindles are ways also. What are you trying to accomplish!

[Steves46]

Depending how low you want to take it, 15 in wheels/tires along with a reverse eye spring will make a noticeable drop.

[Fordors]

Keep in mind that a dropped axle will require heating and bending the steering arms to clear the axle. You might want to follow Steves46 advice^^^ and when shopping for a reversed eye spring be sure to get the right one. I'm not suggesting you buy from Posies but there is some helpful info here-

http://www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com/...35_48_springs/

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

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My son inlaw has a 40 pickup, use that single leaf front spring with reversed eye, you can ajust it wherever you want and really smooths out the ride. Walt

[42guy]

I have reversed main leaf springs and 15" wheels front and rear on my 42. Really gives it the lower look. I had new main leafs with reversed eyes made at a local truck spring shop

[TJ]

Replace the existing main leaf with a reversed eye main leaf. No need to buy a new spring. if you go the dropped axle route cut off the existing steering arms and bolt on a set of arms from Chassis Engineering. Trying to bend the stock arms often results in not getting them bent at the correct angle and they wind up uneven. You wind up scuffing tires when turning. There also used to be a dropped front crossmember you could buy for these cars, but I'm not sure if it is still made.

[waterboychuck]

It sounds like 42guy has the solution. It's easy and cost effective.

[Flatout]

Easiest I used to do was longer shackles.

[Mart]

Make sure your panhard rods (sway bars) are present and correct and in good condition, then you can make the shackles longer as mentioned above. Fords of this era had the bars as standard.

If you want it reasonably low, reversed eyes are good, a bit lower reversed eyes and longer shackles. Really low calls for a dropped axle and either or all of the above.

3 degrees of difficulty depending on how low you want. Personally, I would agree that the 42 posted above looks pretty good.

Mart.

[36coupe]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250852014871...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I like the chassis engineering kits.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by 36coupe

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250852014871...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I like the chassis engineering kits.

That's a great kit, but on a 42-48 car it pulls the wheels in too far. The 42-48 axle is wider than the 40 and the mounting points for the stock wishbone will not line up.

[JSeery]

I my opinion an original dropped axle is a better way to go than a reproduction axle.

[Bolts]

Originally Posted by 42guy

I have reversed main leaf springs and 15" wheels front and rear on my 42. Really gives it the lower look. I had new main leafs with reversed eyes made at a local truck spring shop

Is it necessary to adjust the camber when you reverse the spring eyes?

[RalphM]

Reversing spring eyes alone would not affect camber. Camber is changed when you drop the axle, but can be corrected to stock if done properly.

[Bolts]

After learning that reversing the spring ee will lower the car, I found these Posi springs that are available. They are made with reverse eyes and I believe fewer leaves to give a 3 inch drop. PN 580-2100 (front). Requires Posi shackle kit probably because the eyes are a little smaller, don't know.
Has anyone used these after market springs or similar?
Thanks

[RalphM]

I've used posies springs, but not for your application. They are good quality, do not have the "look" of original but they work well.

[Bolts]

I'm wondering about using a spring spreader to remove and install the springs. Never having done it, I don't know if the spreader is needed to remove or install or both. I assume both. I imagine the purpose of the spreader is to push the spring eyes out to somewhere close to the unloaded length between the eyes in order to be able to get it off and on.
So now, if one reverses the spring eyes, I am wondering how you spread it since the tool will no longer work with the spring eyes up instead of down.
Anyone know the answer?

[Joe AZ]

Alex....you bolt a fixture onto the end of the ends of the reversed eye spring that will allow the spreader ends a contact point to "bite" into.
Joe