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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: Mr T2U]
#1083814
10/27/11 11:42 PM
10/27/11 11:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
ramman5600
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
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Quote:
Quote:
Turn down torsion bars, and flip the factory hangers upside down.
this is what i did to my car.
17" wheels. 255/55/17 tires, stock 07 mustang GT tires.
if you lower the torsion bars you MIGHT have problems of to much camber, top of tires leaning in. you can correct with problem solver bushings in the upper arms.
also some people will caution you not to flip the rear hangers. this is because the bolt spacing is slightly different between the top and bottom bolts. you have to die grind the holes a tiny bit to make them fit. some people say this weakens a major structural area. i say poppycock. i did this on my 600+ci hemi car. i have driven it 50,000+ miles without any problems. also the warranty fix for dog tracking volaries was to install shims between the spring hanger and the mount. this weakens it much more than opening the holes a 1/8".
Any need to run special shocks with a 1-2" drop?
-C 
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: ramman5600]
#1083815
10/28/11 06:38 AM
10/28/11 06:38 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,491
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
dangina
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,491
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Turn down torsion bars, and flip the factory hangers upside down.
this is what i did to my car.
17" wheels. 255/55/17 tires, stock 07 mustang GT tires.
if you lower the torsion bars you MIGHT have problems of to much camber, top of tires leaning in. you can correct with problem solver bushings in the upper arms.
also some people will caution you not to flip the rear hangers. this is because the bolt spacing is slightly different between the top and bottom bolts. you have to die grind the holes a tiny bit to make them fit. some people say this weakens a major structural area. i say poppycock. i did this on my 600+ci hemi car. i have driven it 50,000+ miles without any problems. also the warranty fix for dog tracking volaries was to install shims between the spring hanger and the mount. this weakens it much more than opening the holes a 1/8".
Any need to run special shocks with a 1-2" drop?
-C
the bilstiens are valved for the lower height:
http://www.hotchkis.net/rcd_shocks_dodge_b_e_body_4_pack_lowered_cars.html
Quote:
this is what i did to my car.
17" wheels. 255/55/17 tires, stock 07 mustang GT tires.
if you lower the torsion bars you MIGHT have problems of to much camber, top of tires leaning in. you can correct with problem solver bushings in the upper arms.
also some people will caution you not to flip the rear hangers. this is because the bolt spacing is slightly different between the top and bottom bolts. you have to die grind the holes a tiny bit to make them fit. some people say this weakens a major structural area. i say poppycock. i did this on my 600+ci hemi car. i have driven it 50,000+ miles without any problems. also the warranty fix for dog tracking volaries was to install shims between the spring hanger and the mount. this weakens it much more than opening the holes a 1/8".
looks good! same rim and tire combo i'm goin with on my 71 runner - its a great to see what it'll look like - whats your rim backspacing?
Last edited by dangina; 10/28/11 06:41 AM.
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: ramman5600]
#1083816
10/28/11 06:42 AM
10/28/11 06:42 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,491
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
dangina
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,491
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Turn down torsion bars, and flip the factory hangers upside down.
this is what i did to my car.
17" wheels. 255/55/17 tires, stock 07 mustang GT tires.
if you lower the torsion bars you MIGHT have problems of to much camber, top of tires leaning in. you can correct with problem solver bushings in the upper arms.
also some people will caution you not to flip the rear hangers. this is because the bolt spacing is slightly different between the top and bottom bolts. you have to die grind the holes a tiny bit to make them fit. some people say this weakens a major structural area. i say poppycock. i did this on my 600+ci hemi car. i have driven it 50,000+ miles without any problems. also the warranty fix for dog tracking volaries was to install shims between the spring hanger and the mount. this weakens it much more than opening the holes a 1/8".
Any need to run special shocks with a 1-2" drop?
-C
the bilstiens are valved for the lower height:
http://www.hotchkis.net/rcd_shocks_dodge_b_e_body_4_pack_lowered_cars.html
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: AndyF]
#1083818
10/29/11 03:46 PM
10/29/11 03:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
ramman5600
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
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Quote:
I covered this topic in my new B body book.
New spring hangers from FFI or Mancini is the easy way to take care of the rear. You can also re-arch the springs or use a different spring.
Dropped knuckles will work up front or turn down the torsion bars and re-align everything. Firm Feel can get you shorter shocks so they don't act as bump stops.
There is a limit to how low you can go before you need to start spending some money to make it work.
What's this book you speak of as I am new the B-body crowd and migt have some interest? Also I just want there to be no gap from the top of the tire to the fender, nit slammed on the ground.
-C
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: kilroy]
#1083820
11/12/11 10:10 PM
11/12/11 10:10 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 862
Iowa State fan
kilroy
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 862
Iowa State fan
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I sorry about the crappy picture
The Before pic.
1973 Charger, former SE, former auto
I'm not trying to be difficult, it comes naturally....
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: kilroy]
#1083823
11/16/11 10:12 AM
11/16/11 10:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
Swears too much
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Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
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Uh... just use the stock leafs and turn the T-bars down...??? Hahahahaha
Seriously, i haven't seen a Mopar yet that hasn't lowered itself at least 2" due to saggy leafs. Just turn the T-bars down.
For a better approach, just use lower profile tires. Thats cheap, and you get better performance tires as a bonus. You can still get 15" V and better rated tires i think. I did this to lower a 71 Fury and a 78 Volare. Both used 50-series 15" rubber on stock tires. The Fury especially sunk a bunch, due to its 78-series stock tire based ride height. Sure, they look goofy with the smaller tires, but i think lowered Mopars look goofy in general, so its probably just me. By the tiny 17" or 18" tires most Mopar guys end up using on the classic rides, id say most people would like the small tire look anyways.
You can lower a stock Mopar up to 3" this way, yet still have a 100% original and untouched suspension. No weird suspension geometry from the usual methods.
Now... if there was only a cheap way to RAISE the rear ov a Mopar without resorting to 2ft long shackles or yummy air-shocks...
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: TooMany62s]
#1083824
11/18/11 01:26 PM
11/18/11 01:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Montclaire
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
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Quote:
Mancini sells lowering blocks for the rear. I used some on my '84 Dodge pick-up after I flipped the axle. They worked fine.
Please do not use lowering blocks.
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: kilroy]
#1083825
11/18/11 01:28 PM
11/18/11 01:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
Montclaire
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
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Quote:
I agree totally, I just did this to my car (flip the spring hangers) and the stock holes are over large and not a tight fight to the hanger bolts anyways, so the extra 1/8" grinding wont make a boo. Sorry about primer and the bad picks but I lost 2" in the butt. Here is the after pic.
Nice, new springs or stock? What size tires? How about the front? Any over-all shots? Thanks (Burn Notice replica? lol)
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: Montclaire]
#1083826
11/18/11 09:54 PM
11/18/11 09:54 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 862
Iowa State fan
kilroy
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 862
Iowa State fan
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Quote:
Nice, new springs or stock? What size tires? How about the front? Any over-all shots? Thanks (Burn Notice replica? lol)
275/60/15 on an 8"rim with 4.5 b/s on the rim. I always thought they looked a little tall with out them being tucked into the fenders like they are now, but I REALLY like the look of them now.
Front I need to lower a little bit more but to do that I gottta fix the crappy local muff shop job on the exhaust (if you want something done right do it yourself) and I need to trim the bump stops a little on the front.
Right now it sits square to the top of the fender openings on the front and back at 26.5".
Springs are just HD springs from about 1999. I havent check the pinion angle yet but I will later. I was good before.
whats with the burn notice replica?
Oh and thanks for the compliment.
Last edited by kilroy; 11/18/11 09:57 PM.
1973 Charger, former SE, former auto
I'm not trying to be difficult, it comes naturally....
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: kilroy]
#1083827
11/18/11 10:52 PM
11/18/11 10:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,034
NW Indiana
deansrr
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,034
NW Indiana
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front you take out torsion bar adjusters rear take diff off of springs, flip over and install above springs this should lower it quite a bit (of course I wouldn't drive it) 
1973 Road Runner
1974 Satellite (for sale)
1973 240z (wifes)
1993 Ramcharger (thanks Devil)
2002 Honda S2000
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Re: Most economical method to lower a B-body
[Re: Montclaire]
#1083830
11/20/11 12:19 AM
11/20/11 12:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
ramman5600
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 669
Michigan, USA
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Quote:
Quote:
Mancini sells lowering blocks for the rear. I used some on my '84 Dodge pick-up after I flipped the axle. They worked fine.
Please do not use lowering blocks.
Can you explain your thinking?
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