Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
Most economical method to lower a B-body #1083792
09/27/11 07:11 PM
09/27/11 07:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
R
ramman5600 Offline OP
mopar
ramman5600  Offline OP
mopar
R

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
I don't want to create a low rider, but just drop the car about 2". I know there are a lot of great options for replacement parts to really make the car handle (70 SuperBee), but is there a safe yet economical way to accomplish a 2" drop without spending $2500? Thanks in advance for the advice.

-C

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ramman5600] #1083793
09/27/11 07:17 PM
09/27/11 07:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
A
ahy Offline
master
ahy  Offline
master
A

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
Safe, low cost and 2" drop. I think you can pick 2 out of the three.

For a 1" drop, turn down the T bars and get the rear springs re-worked by a local spring shop. Cutting down the bump stops would be helpful. A stiffer set of front bars would be nice to prevent bottoming but may not be strictly necessary. Cost <$1,000 even with new T bars.

For 2" I really think you would need drop spindles and maybe flipped rear springs. I personally would worry about exhaust and oil pan bottoming with a 2" drop.

Last edited by ahy; 09/27/11 07:24 PM.
Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ahy] #1083794
09/27/11 09:39 PM
09/27/11 09:39 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace Offline
I Live Here
RodStRace  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
14" low profile tires....
You didn't say it had to look good!

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: RodStRace] #1083795
09/27/11 10:29 PM
09/27/11 10:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
R
ramman5600 Offline OP
mopar
ramman5600  Offline OP
mopar
R

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA


I was actually considering an 18" wheel and tire combo. Does anyone have the pan clearance issue that was noted?

-C

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ramman5600] #1083796
09/27/11 10:43 PM
09/27/11 10:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
A
ahy Offline
master
ahy  Offline
master
A

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
20 or 22" tires look much better. More seriously, what are your objectives? Handling, like the low look ect?

I've got my 70 E lowered a little (probably 3/4") with 1" T bars and stiff shocks. My 17" tires are on the short side with 25" diameter. I have a Hemi pan which is about 1" deeper than stock and a K frame mounted skid plate to protect the pan. The skid plate has earned its keep. I've had to touch up the paint on it at least twice after meaningful contact. It is sometimes driven with "spirit" on real midwest roads.

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ahy] #1083797
09/27/11 11:07 PM
09/27/11 11:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
R
ramman5600 Offline OP
mopar
ramman5600  Offline OP
mopar
R

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
I just like the wheels to fill the wheel well without too much space above the tire. I thought about the 26" wheels, but the 1/4" of rubber for tire was a detractor. Anyway - I also like the shorter side wall (45-50 aspect ratio) for steering response and with the newer tire tech they can actually make a nice riding tire.

-Chad

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ramman5600] #1083798
09/27/11 11:28 PM
09/27/11 11:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,830
N.E. Ohio
6bblFLASH Offline
master
6bblFLASH  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,830
N.E. Ohio
Have my sister-in-law sit in it
Sorry I could`nt resist


70` Cuda`,440 6BBL Jerico,Dana 4.56 Still on 93 Pump Gas
9.87 @ 136/1.31-60ft.`09 Mopar Nationals PASSON PERFORMANCE "Stick-Shift" Champ!
2013 StickShift Challenge Winner@ Mopar Nationals!
Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: 6bblFLASH] #1083799
09/27/11 11:56 PM
09/27/11 11:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
R
ramman5600 Offline OP
mopar
ramman5600  Offline OP
mopar
R

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ramman5600] #1083800
09/28/11 10:45 AM
09/28/11 10:45 AM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,042
colorado
S
savoy64 Offline
top fuel
savoy64  Offline
top fuel
S

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,042
colorado
instead of softening up your ride get a set of roadrace torsion bars and back off a little on those--for the rear use a 1 inch spacer between the axle and spring perch----bob

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: 6bblFLASH] #1083801
09/28/11 10:48 AM
09/28/11 10:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,153
Mass
DAYCLONA Offline
I Live Here
DAYCLONA  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,153
Mass
Quote:

Have my sister-in-law sit in it
Sorry I could`nt resist







Most economical way is to let the air out of the tires, to adjust ride height.... ...I couldn't help myself either, he did want the cheapest way to accomplish this...

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: DAYCLONA] #1083802
09/28/11 01:13 PM
09/28/11 01:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
D
dogdays Offline
I Live Here
dogdays  Offline
I Live Here
D

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
The old trick, several forklift batteries in the trunk!
Sorry, I couldn't help it.
R.

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: dogdays] #1083803
09/28/11 04:25 PM
09/28/11 04:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,490
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
dangina Offline
pro stock
dangina  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,490
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
i know that the magnum force 2" dropped leaf springs are just springs that dont have a much of a arch to them giving them that 2" u need...now got get them rearched!

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: dangina] #1083804
09/28/11 04:37 PM
09/28/11 04:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
autoxcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
It's sort of tough to recommend without knowing: the tire diameters you have, your current gap/distance between the lower control arm bumpsptop and frame, and your k-frame and exhaust to ground clearance.

Just lower the front T-bar down to drop the tops of the front wheel lips 1" from current height. Check LCA bump stop clearance. If the LCA bump stop gap is too small buy the Energy suspension flat poly bumpstops.

In the rear buy Doctor Diff adjustable front spring hanger. That give you something like 1" or 2" drops

I forgot how much the Doctor Diff hangers are, but I don't think that and the bump stops are too much money.

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ramman5600] #1083805
09/28/11 04:44 PM
09/28/11 04:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
Black_Bee Offline
pro stock
Black_Bee  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
For the front, I turned down my 1" torsion bars, and for the rear, I used some spring hangers that Mancini sells:

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/manciniracing20.html

I got a 1.5-2" drop which is pretty much required if you want to run the larger wheels.



Paul
'69 Super Bee 383 EFI Turbo
Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: Black_Bee] #1083806
09/28/11 07:46 PM
09/28/11 07:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
R
ramman5600 Offline OP
mopar
ramman5600  Offline OP
mopar
R

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
Quote:

For the front, I turned down my 1" torsion bars, and for the rear, I used some spring hangers that Mancini sells:

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/manciniracing20.html

I got a 1.5-2" drop which is pretty much required if you want to run the larger wheels.






If your ID picture is of the car which you did this too, then that is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ramman5600] #1083807
09/28/11 07:54 PM
09/28/11 07:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,200
Upper Midwest
M
MoparforLife Offline
Too Many Posts
MoparforLife  Offline
Too Many Posts
M

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,200
Upper Midwest
Not that major an operation to make some lowering blocks. Retains most of your ride. Some 2 1/2 inch wide heavy wall tubing the Height of which would be the distance that you want to drop the rear. 2 pieces about 6" long and drill press. Drill out one side a hole the diameter of the spring tie bolt head to sit in and drill a 5/16 inch hole directly opposite to install a short spring eye bolt to fit in the centering hole in the spring perch.

Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: ramman5600] #1083808
09/29/11 12:35 AM
09/29/11 12:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
Black_Bee Offline
pro stock
Black_Bee  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
Quote:

Quote:

For the front, I turned down my 1" torsion bars, and for the rear, I used some spring hangers that Mancini sells:

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/manciniracing20.html

I got a 1.5-2" drop which is pretty much required if you want to run the larger wheels.






If your ID picture is of the car which you did this too, then that is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks





Before drop... looks pretty good.

6847262-before_drop.jpg (103 downloads)

Paul
'69 Super Bee 383 EFI Turbo
Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: Black_Bee] #1083809
09/29/11 12:35 AM
09/29/11 12:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
Black_Bee Offline
pro stock
Black_Bee  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
After drop... much better!

6847263-after_drop.jpg (105 downloads)

Paul
'69 Super Bee 383 EFI Turbo
Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: Black_Bee] #1083810
09/29/11 12:42 AM
09/29/11 12:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
Black_Bee Offline
pro stock
Black_Bee  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,307
BC, Canada
FYI, that's a 295-40-18 on the rear. It's actually a bit taller than the 275-60-15s that I had on before, but for some reason, the gap with those 15s didn't look bad.


Paul
'69 Super Bee 383 EFI Turbo
Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body [Re: Black_Bee] #1083811
09/29/11 01:15 AM
09/29/11 01:15 AM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
R
redmist Offline
enthusiast
redmist  Offline
enthusiast
R

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 305
5th and plum
Turn down torsion bars, and flip the factory hangers upside down.

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1