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Old 11-17-2015, 12:53 PM   #1
Apachekid58
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Best way to lower 58 3100

Hey guys, I've been wanting to lower the front end of my 58 for a while now, The rear end has been lowered but it is still a straight axle in the front. I recently tried to do an axle over spring conversion on the front end, which gave me 5 1/2 inches drop but it also caused the truck to be basically undrivable. Mustang II's are too expensive and really not needed for the driving that I do. Is there anything else i could do that would give me a more modern, lower front suspension cheaper then a mustang II?
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Old 11-17-2015, 12:55 PM   #2
Apachekid58
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

The first pic is how the truck sits currently, the other is how I want it to sit.
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:08 PM   #3
misfits1981
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

Without going the Mustang II route I think the only alternative is a dropped axle and lowering springs. Check out Nostalgia Sid's for the dropped axle. He'll have all the pieces you need to get it lowered and make it driveable too. Here's a link to the site - http://www.droppedaxles.com/
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:44 PM   #4
Crash0637
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

Have you ever thought about swapping in a Jaguar front suspension? They can be had pretty cheap. I got my whole Jag front end for 150 at the scrap yard. Of course you will need to rebuild the bushings, brakes etc. This swap is much more cost effective than a Mustang II swap. There are a few of us on here that have done it.

Let me know if you would like any further details on my swap
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:52 PM   #5
Foot Stomper
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

This might be an option as well... 3" or 7" drop. Professionally made!

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-other-auto-pa...ationFlag=true
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Old 11-17-2015, 03:52 PM   #6
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

70's to 80's Camaro sub frame welded to your frame. lots of guys will cut frame off under firewall and weld the subframe in. it gives you somewhere around 5 inches if I remember what ive read and you get ifs too....coils ride better
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Old 11-17-2015, 03:53 PM   #7
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

gives you 5 lug and power brakes and disc's too
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Old 11-17-2015, 06:27 PM   #8
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

far from the best way, but on my son's '55.2 we pulled every other leaf (i think 3 total) and then cleaned and painted the leaves, and re-assembled with liners between the springs. i'm hoping it won't end up under sprung, but my temporary fix for that is a coil-over shock with a light spring on it to supplement the leaf springs if they end up with not enough spring rate. i'm sure it will end up with an ifs at some point, but right now we are trying to keep it simple to get it on the road by next august so he gets to start driving it for his 17th birthday.
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Old 11-17-2015, 06:28 PM   #9
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

my '59 got a 77 nova sub
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53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo
47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build
99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van'
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Old 11-17-2015, 06:29 PM   #10
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Re: Best way to lower 58 3100

if i was to do mine again, i would go wither m2 or crown vic.
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53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo
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