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lowering my 65

Posted: May 20, 2012, 10:46 am
by Bugsy
I've got a 65 f100 and was wondering if I could lower the back of the truck by relocating the leaf spring shackles and springs higher on the frame and notching the frame for the axel? I would cut the floor on the box to allow clearence( If needed) ,and the two piece drive shafts wouldn't give me problems with the new angle would they?
I would appreciate some good advice,also any ideas on low buck front end lowering? :burp:

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 20, 2012, 11:30 am
by jamesdfo
Bugsy: It all depends on HOW LOW you are trying to go:) Typically, the diff is flipped (ie: diff is placed ABOVE the springs, and blocks are used to raise the diff, which lowers the truck).
If you do a search, I'm certain this has been discussed before, should be some more info....

James

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 20, 2012, 9:42 pm
by sully5
Axle flip REQUIRES frame notch. Also, if your springs are a little flat, your diff will hit the floor over bumps. I used add-a-leaf after flipping to gain 1.5 inches back. Here's the stance:

Image

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 20, 2012, 10:05 pm
by Gritsngumbo
Bugsy: You might get better response (or at least more responses) if you re-post your question under "Truck Talk".
Tips and Tricks is for folks to describe/document "how to's" or tips for our trucks.

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 21, 2012, 9:15 pm
by Bugsy
Thanks everyone.
Bugsy :burp:

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 21, 2012, 9:30 pm
by Bugsy
Sully5,What did you do to lower the front of that beautiful truck? and could you please send me a full bodied pic of the truck ?
Thank you,
Bugsy :burp:

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 22, 2012, 9:49 am
by sully5
I did a FRONT axle flip and 2" lowering springs as well. Got a little too low and brought it up 1" with an additional spring in the pack. The caveat on front axle flips is the steering. I went with No Limit's rack and pinion.

The front required c-notching and I boxed it for extra strength because my engine rests right over the c-notch.

Image

Engine placement is critical. I have the dual sump oil pan on a 302 and the rear sump was too close to the rack. I killed two birds with one stone by moving the front axle forward 1.5". First, it placed the front tires in the wheel opening better and it gave me better oil pan clearance.

Here's full pic to show stance:

Image

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 22, 2012, 10:25 am
by Bugsy
Sully5,Again thank you.

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 22, 2012, 1:37 pm
by Hunter's 64
Bugsy, If you have a 65 you have a whole diffrent front suspention to deal with , You will have to cut coil springs and have beams bent? :2cents:

Danny

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 22, 2012, 4:00 pm
by sully5
True, I forgot his is a 65.

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 24, 2012, 9:24 am
by Bugsy
I knew right away that sully5 front end and mine were on two different prodject paths when I viewed the pics (LOl),But, thanks for the photo's anyway. I was talking with a Buddy of mine yesterday about my plans and he asked if I would like a complete front end off a 77 ford truck for parts it's a 1/2 ton too. Does anyone know if I could swap the disc brakes,power steering and still lower the front of the truck using the Dream beams without any real compications ?
Bugsy :burp:

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 24, 2012, 6:57 pm
by slickmainer
If you cut a coil be ready to see tire wear.

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: May 24, 2012, 7:21 pm
by Hunter's 64
If you don't cut too much you can still get it aleined properly to avoid tire wear.

Danny

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: June 16, 2013, 4:03 pm
by Dakota Kids
[quote][/quDoes anyone know if I could swap the disc brakes,power steering and still lower the front of the truck using the Dream beams without any real compications ?ote] Not a problem everything works well. Do a search I believe someone wrote up a detailed article on the swap. We used the disks from a 1976 pickup. Aside from some differences in king pins and Brake lines everything went together well.

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: June 17, 2013, 8:05 am
by Bugsy
Thanks to everyone . I have sold my truck and moved on to a different project. (Yes, its another ford truck, just a little more newer.) :burp:

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: January 5, 2014, 8:59 pm
by J-Val65
hi everyone I am new, I have a 65 f 250 and would to lower it but don't know how to lower the twin I beam without spending a bunch of money and still being safe thank you.

Re: lowering my 65

Posted: February 9, 2014, 4:06 pm
by Alan Mclennan
sully5 wrote:I did a FRONT axle flip and 2" lowering springs as well. Got a little too low and brought it up 1" with an additional spring in the pack. The caveat on front axle flips is the steering. I went with No Limit's rack and pinion.

The front required c-notching and I boxed it for extra strength because my engine rests right over the c-notch.

Image

Engine placement is critical. I have the dual sump oil pan on a 302 and the rear sump was too close to the rack. I killed two birds with one stone by moving the front axle forward 1.5". First, it placed the front tires in the wheel opening better and it gave me better oil pan clearance.

Here's full pic to show stance:

Image

Great looking truck Sully5!! 8) :D