Lowering 1955 Ford CV

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TonyD

Junior Member
I am doing a driver quality Resto Mod on my Crown Vic and want to lower the stock front end. Have given a lot of thought to a 2 inch +/- drop. Considering several ways from cutting springs to QA1 adjustable coil overs. Looking for any tips from the crew. Thanks in advance.
 
Remove the lower A arms. Drill out the rivets holding the spring buckets in. make up 1 1/2 square tube spacers, bolt it together with good quality bolts. The spring stays the same, the ride and handleing stay the same, the car sits two inches lower. It can be reversed if the next guys wants it that way.
 
Get yourself a set of Arostar spings. They will lower front end and make a world of difference in ride/handling. A st of GRANADA/MOARCH spidles will give you disc brakes, and lower front 1 1/2 - 2"
 
You can pickup the Aerostar springs at your local Autozone part# FCS 850V $65 for the pair average drop is 2"-2 1/2" no modifications needed just replace the old springs,if you change shocks while you are at it the Gabriel Gas shocks are part# 85026 they will probably have both in stock.These shocks are a little shorter than the OEM Motorcrafts so are a perfect match for the new springs,you will love the improved ride and handling.For even more info click on this:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=332 put Aerostar springs in search and you will find tons of info,how to,and before and after pictures,while you are there join up and do an intro.
 
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I like parklane's idea about the Granada disc brake spindles.I used to drive a 56 and nearly bent the steering wheel from holding on and standing on the brakes trying to stop in certain situations (speeding). Disc brakes are a great idea on any car,especially the old Fords.
 
So, Granada disc brake spindle plus Aerostar springs will give how much drop? Do each add up to around 4 inches? What is a source for Granada disc brake spindles? Is all this applicable to my '55 station wagon? 4 questions in one post isnt usually too good :confused: .
 
The Granada spindles need the lower spindle hole reamed with a tapered reamer to fit the 55 ball joint. When installed, the turn stops no longer line up. I used 3/8 round rod about eight inches long welded inside the A arm turn stop . They have not bent in ten years use. I also robbed the dead Granada of the differential valve, located on the inner fender on the left side. There are several master cylinders you can choose from. I used a 69 Torino M/C adapter to raise the M/C so I can get the rocker covers off the Y block for annual rocker adjustment. The adaptor is now available from Speedway for 50 bucks.
 
I'm using Granada spindles and 1" SOLID spacers similar to the spacers that Ole Don discribed above for a total of ~3" drop. Just be aware that you will have to trim the lower A arm rubber stops.

You can see in this picture how far the tire is in the well.

picture.php
 
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Just be aware that shorter springs change the geometry somewhat, but from experience not such a big deal. I think Fatman's make dropped spindles that do not alter the geometry.
 
Y-Blockhead, really like your wheel/tire treatment. Clean-simple

I've trimmed snubbers before. Had one 55 in about 60 or 61 that the top of the tires hit the inner fender panels when you hit those blacktop expansion joints in the old concrete hi-ways with more than two people in it. And at that low, was able to align front end. Lower A frame spacers and cut coils. 4" blocks and rearched springs in rear. Had to raise driveshaft tunnel.
 
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1st I fully agree with georgewarren, "shorter springs change the geometry". Also shock performance. This can effect handling/control.

2nd I fully agree with parklane, the Granada spindles/discs are the way to go.

The other trick I used on my Crown Vic was tweeking the tire size. I had new steel rims made up (look just like stock and accept the stock hubcap) (Wheel Smith - Coroma, CA) that are wider, so I could mount a lower profile tire (dropping the front end a little more) while also putting more rubber on the pavement to take advantage of the disc brakes (60-70% of the stopping power is up front). Tires from Diamond Back Classics, Conway, SC. As you know, the 55 came with very tall and skinny rims/tires. The result is an original looking car that is slightly lower, but better performing/safer.
 
The Ford Aerostar spring swap will work on all 1949-59 Fords and Mercs there are probably well over a hundred plus posts on the HAMB from folks that have done it and they all will tell you the ride and handling is very much improved over stock.As the above post states "This can effect handling/control" however it is much for the better add either the Garbiel gas shocks or KYB's and you will be very happy with the results and your wallet will thank you.
 
it will work on the wagon i did it to my 55 merc only i used the stock springs along with the ranger rear and had 4 wheel disks used a universal power master/booster 1 inch bore for dual disks made a mount and it worked great no valves or restrictors on lines
 
I had Aerostar springs put on my '56, it dropped the front by about 2"-2 1/2". Did nothing else and noticed improvement in handling - definitely better than with the stock springs.
 
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