53 ford front suspension question

R

Rbeck204

Member
New guy here from Houston Texas. I have a 1953 two door customline.

Has anyone turned the front spindle knuckle upright upside down on each side to lower the front end? I have read where people talked about it but could not find someone who actually did it. If it's possible I would assume you also need the upper control arm camber correction kit? Looking for a low buck front drop with good ride quality. I already have a new set of stock front springs (Eaton).

Currently have old and tired stock front springs and the front bottoms out frequently. I like the current stance and that's why I have not installed the new front springs yet. I also heard of using Aerostar springs but was concerned I may still have the bottoming out issue.

Any thoughts?
Rich
 
The current lowering trick is to replace the stock springs with Ford Aerostar mini-van units. That leaves the stock front end geometry alone. I haven't seen a kit for flipping the uprights. Check the HAMB forum for details about the Aero-star retrofit.
Search for this thread on the HAMB: CHEAP and Great Alternative Coil Springs '49 thru '59 Ford and Merc

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...coil-springs-49-thru-59-ford-and-merc.260795/
 
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on the bottom of each spring there are rivets that hold the bottom in place, drill out the rivets and put in a spacer however low you want it, replace the rivets with bolts. this is how mine is lowered
 
Have done it years ago and it's not just a matter of flipping them upside down and reversing sides. They have to be bent to restore the correct camber angle and the steering arms have to be bent to correct any clearance problems. Fortunately today I believe Fatman Fabrications has all the necessary new drop spindle supports and other components. That is the route that I have taken.
This still gives full spring travel.
 
Aerostar springs are available in different spring rates.
Select a stiffer spring rate and go lower
or select a lighter spring rate and ride higher.
The difference will be in how much the spring yields to bumps.

the shorter and lower you go, the higher the spring rate you want in order to maintain the more limited of spring travel.
Select a stiff spring rate and it will allow you to tweak one or more of the coils thus lowering it further while still attempting to control travel.
 
full



Aerostar springs on front and 3" blocks on rear
 
Aerostar springs in mine, definitely recommended
Not sure why the pic is sideways!
Ian
 

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Thanks for all the responses. Since I already have a new set of stock springs, I think I will go with lowering the spring pocket and install the stock springs.

I'm assuming something like a 2" deeper pocket.

I'll let you know how this works out.

Rich
 
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