Lowering options?

Suspension, Brakes, Tires, Wheels steeringetc..
joshmeacham
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 114
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:56 pm
City: St.George UT

Re: Lowering options?

Post by joshmeacham »

I'm with cageman on the link modification. I'm new to the dodge scene, but have done other trucks and cars with a drop like this and have been fine. the 4x4 guys use the setup tons. for such a short link a bend out of steel with no gussets should be fine, anything spanning over 16in i would gusset.

A quick question if i might: however:

Will flipping the front only and flipping the back only give a level ride height? Its looking like my back is going to be too low....

the 'fix' is looking like air shocks used for load leveling. I planned on using them anyway incase i decide to hook up my small trailer or somthing. Anyway just thought i would get/give some input. Thanks guys

User avatar
MountainMoparRobin
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 7854
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Lakewood
State: CO
Location: Lakewood Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by MountainMoparRobin »

I believe it was kanter who tried the "curve" in the drag link and it didn't work :pale and he curved it alot, something has to be shortened in some way for your taking a suspension that was designed to have 3" of extension, and your shortening it by at least 4" :Thumbsup

User avatar
Grodr625
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 203
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 1:37 pm
City: Seattle
State: WA
Location: PNW

Re: Lowering options?

Post by Grodr625 »

wow, what a wealth of information. It seems a lot of you guys are looking into drastically lowering your trucks. While I love the look, I still want to be able to load her up when necessary. Since 3 inches appears to be the max amount of drop that can be had without adversely affected steering and handling geometry, I wanted to know the best way of accomplishing this.

Can I pull leaves out of my spring pack in order to achieve 3 inches? And if so approximately how many on a stock 68 D100 custom? I would prefer a method that requires none to little fabrication, so I'd rather not flip the rear axle as it seems I may need to weld new spring perches...
please advise
1964 S400 318 poly 4 speed - Linda aka Big Booty Judy
Previous swepties:
1968 D100 318, Hardworking Herbert
1966 D100 318 poly 4 speed - Ginger/Sancha/CrucesCruiser
https://stavisaves.wordpress.com/

User avatar
MountainMoparRobin
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 7854
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Lakewood
State: CO
Location: Lakewood Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by MountainMoparRobin »

the bottom 2 will give you those results, mine droped more than 3" becuase of the amount of the arch

User avatar
Grodr625
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 203
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 1:37 pm
City: Seattle
State: WA
Location: PNW

Re: Lowering options?

Post by Grodr625 »

just to clarify, I can remove the bottom 2 leaves from the front and rear and expect about 3 inches of drop without having to worry about any bumpsteer or the axle getting to friendly with the frame? If so, this may be my project tomorrow! :dance Let's hope rusted bolts don't ruin the day!
1964 S400 318 poly 4 speed - Linda aka Big Booty Judy
Previous swepties:
1968 D100 318, Hardworking Herbert
1966 D100 318 poly 4 speed - Ginger/Sancha/CrucesCruiser
https://stavisaves.wordpress.com/

User avatar
MountainMoparRobin
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 7854
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Lakewood
State: CO
Location: Lakewood Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by MountainMoparRobin »

Yes thats correct, get penetrating oil, and hopefully you have a backup vehicle in case you need to get some new U bolts :Thumbsup

User avatar
Grodr625
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 203
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 1:37 pm
City: Seattle
State: WA
Location: PNW

Re: Lowering options?

Post by Grodr625 »

So I went ahead and removed the two bottom leaves on the front end. I did the front end first to see if I got any noticeable rake. After I put everything back together I can't say I can see any difference at all. I took some photos and and change my be a 1/4" or less. I thought maybe the leaves had to settle into their new position, but after 4 days I still see no differences. At this point I don't want to do the rear since I'd like to keep its load carrying ability since I doubt I'll see any noticeable height difference.

Any one else here do a similar drop and want to share their results?
1964 S400 318 poly 4 speed - Linda aka Big Booty Judy
Previous swepties:
1968 D100 318, Hardworking Herbert
1966 D100 318 poly 4 speed - Ginger/Sancha/CrucesCruiser
https://stavisaves.wordpress.com/

User avatar
fosh69
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 744
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Firestone
State: CO
Location: Firestone, Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by fosh69 »

The culprit is most likely the leaf under the main leaf. If you take this one out and skip one and remove the next, you will get a drop... you shouldn't take two in a row out... put the two bottom ones back in. You may find you only need to remove the second (counted from the main spring down). I know it's a hassle and takes a bit of time, but give it a try.
4eye 69

OO\===/OO

User avatar
MountainMoparRobin
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 7854
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Lakewood
State: CO
Location: Lakewood Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by MountainMoparRobin »

I did like fosh69 is stating
7 inches between the tire and fender, ugh
7 inches between the tire and fender, ugh
3 inches after the drop/more like it
3 inches after the drop/more like it
now doing it that way gave me 4+ inches off the distance between the tire and fender. alot of the drop depends on the arch in your springs
These trucks all took the last 2 leafs out
ColoradoSuperCruise 005.jpg
ColoradoSuperCruise 014.jpg

User avatar
USAFLong
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 263
Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:44 pm
City: Dayton
State: OH
Location: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Contact:

Re: Lowering options?

Post by USAFLong »

That white truck has the stance I want. Is that still springs over the axles? Can't be.
-Scott Long-
United States Air Force
1970 Dodge D100 Longbed 318/727
2002 Audi S4 twin turbo

User avatar
MountainMoparRobin
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 7854
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Lakewood
State: CO
Location: Lakewood Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by MountainMoparRobin »

Yes its still spring over axle, he runs 2 springs :Thumbsup might want to check into "MonoLeaf"

billwiggs
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:56 pm
City: hermiston or

Re: Lowering options?

Post by billwiggs »

O.K. guys,, I don't have a sweptline right now,,, had one years ago,,,and loved it... I've found 2 that I will be dealing on soon,
just reading about lowering,,,, another source is roadsters.com , he drops axles and has lots of info,, also a spray lube called
" Gibbs Brand" which sounds like something we all could use,,, stops rust and desolves old rust,,, I'm anxious to try it out.
Happy Truckin,

makgreens
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 12:01 am
City: Ooltewah
State: TN
Location: Chattanooga
Contact:

Re: Lowering options?

Post by makgreens »

i should be getting a 64 here in the next week so all this talk of springs is throwing me off
im used to dropping newer trucks with ifs in front and usually blocks in the rear
sounds like these coil packs are huge!!!!!!!!!!!!
what im looking for is a 3-4" drop with no heavy mod, im going to be driving this truck while my other truck has its engine rebuilt
is this possible without sending the axles out to be dropped?
im also not to worried about bumpsteer..but avoiding it would be pretty awesome
1953 Ford Customline
1964 Dodge D100 Utiline
2001 Toyota Tacoma S-Runner
2008 Kawasaki ZZR600

User avatar
EarlKann
Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
Posts: 1311
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:41 am
City: Riverside
State: CA

Re: Lowering options?

Post by EarlKann »

makgreens wrote:i should be getting a 64 here in the next week so all this talk of springs is throwing me off
im used to dropping newer trucks with ifs in front and usually blocks in the rear
sounds like these coil packs are huge!!!!!!!!!!!!
what im looking for is a 3-4" drop with no heavy mod, im going to be driving this truck while my other truck has its engine rebuilt
is this possible without sending the axles out to be dropped?
im also not to worried about bumpsteer..but avoiding it would be pretty awesome

No coil packs on a Sweptline. Leaf springs front and rear. If you've read though this thread it will probably become clear to you once you actually get your truck and can take a close look at it.

makgreens
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 12:01 am
City: Ooltewah
State: TN
Location: Chattanooga
Contact:

Re: Lowering options?

Post by makgreens »

wow i said coil packs.....i must have been a bit tired last night
yeah hopefully ill get it this weekend
ive taken leafs out of trucks before so hopefully it shouldnt be too hard
i guess ill try and take out 2 springs from each to start with
1953 Ford Customline
1964 Dodge D100 Utiline
2001 Toyota Tacoma S-Runner
2008 Kawasaki ZZR600

billwiggs
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:56 pm
City: hermiston or

Re: Lowering options?

Post by billwiggs »

Mike,

Try Roadsters.com this guy has been dropping axles for years and his work looks professional as well.
He also has lots of interesting things at this address.

Bill

makgreens
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 12:01 am
City: Ooltewah
State: TN
Location: Chattanooga
Contact:

Re: Lowering options?

Post by makgreens »

got my front end done today...took about 2 hours so no time at all really
i definitely need new shocks though but other than that its looking good

removed 2nd to last and 2nd to top leafs
Image
1953 Ford Customline
1964 Dodge D100 Utiline
2001 Toyota Tacoma S-Runner
2008 Kawasaki ZZR600

User avatar
fosh69
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 744
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Firestone
State: CO
Location: Firestone, Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by fosh69 »

that looks good... did you use that battery charger as a jack stand, or what?
4eye 69

OO\===/OO

makgreens
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 12:01 am
City: Ooltewah
State: TN
Location: Chattanooga
Contact:

Re: Lowering options?

Post by makgreens »

ha na my stepdad ran it over about a year ago...still charges so no point in buying a new one

im dropping the rear now but need to get some new u bolts....so hopefully more pics in a few days
1953 Ford Customline
1964 Dodge D100 Utiline
2001 Toyota Tacoma S-Runner
2008 Kawasaki ZZR600

User avatar
MountainMoparRobin
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 7854
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Lakewood
State: CO
Location: Lakewood Colorado

Re: Lowering options?

Post by MountainMoparRobin »

Looks good :Thumbsup

Post Reply