Lowering a 53

I

Ianrhall

Senior Member
Just wondering about the best way to lower a 53 ford
The rear seems straight forward, 1-3" lowering blocks
At the front, I could
Fit lowering kit from butchscoolstuff-gives 2" drop, if that's too much I assume I could have the blocks machined?
Cut stock springs
Fit lowered springs
Fit Aerostar springs
I am only looking for 1-1/2" drop and want to maintain a good suspension(cut down new springs on my falcon and ended up with very hard ride!)

Thanks

Ian
 
I put a set of Aerostar springs in my '51 and am very happy with all aspects of the change. It brought it down as much as I wanted, and there seems to be no difference in ride. The handling is much better than before, but that may be because I had it aligned after I put the springs in. It was less that $100 including sway bar bushings and spring isolators. I am not a fan of "in the weeds", so it may not be enough of a drop for some.
 
I've been thinking of doing the same on my 49 shoebox, I was thinking of putting Posies super slide dropped springs in the back instead of blocks, seems like a smoother ride, has anybody used them.? From what I have read the Aerostar coils work great.
RB
 
My 53 is lowered by using a spacer, remove the rivets that hold the front springs on the bottom, make a spacer the amount you want to lower mine is 1x1 flat bar, drill the holes the same as the bottom plate, use bolts to put back, drives the same as before. That way if you want to put it back, just remove the spacer. John
 
Check for yourself. I got my springs from Amazon.com (for more than they are from Summit), but they are the same Moog springs.
 

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What thickness are the axle tubes on a 53 ford, wondering if I need a particular type of u bolt/lowering block kit, think the ones over here(UK) might be too small
Thanks
Ian
 
I am removing my lowering blocks and u bolts off my 53 victoria it is lowered 2 inchs in the rear and one inch in the front, make you a deal on the lowering kit. I am raising it back up on account of the ride, I will replace all the shocks and anything that may be worn. It keeps botting out.
John
 
If you lowered the rear and didn't change the shocks(to shorter shocks) it will most certainly bottom out on the shocks.
 
Ianrhall said:
What thickness are the axle tubes on a 53 ford, wondering if I need a particular type of u bolt/lowering block kit, think the ones over here(UK) might be too small
Thanks
Ian
Click to expand...
Your Ford has a 2 1/2" wide leaf spring the blocks should match many aftermarkets are 3" so measure before you buy.
 
TJ said:
If you lowered the rear and didn't change the shocks(to shorter shocks) it will most certainly bottom out on the shocks.
Click to expand...
Correct part numbers foe 1952-56 Fords lowered 2"-3" Gabriel (F)82026 (R) 81270 KYB's (F) KG4503 (R) KG5517 ;)
 
Good tip about the shocks, hadn't realised they had to be changed too, are those part no,s from an alternative car too?
Ian
 
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