how low can a slick go

shaun_p_62234 · Post by **shaun_p_62234** » January 15, 2007, 8:33 pm

what is the lowest possible for a slick with stock 64 half ton suspension. if anybody has lowered there stock straight front axle truck please tell me what you did. i was thinking that i could 4link it front and rear and run airbags. but i hope that there is a cheaper way of lowering them..

thanks,
shaun

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » January 15, 2007, 8:42 pm

Cheapest way is to let the air out of the tires and ride on the rims.....

Garbz

PS: Lowering will cost money Do you want a Dragger or a Driver?

shaun_p_62234 · Post by **shaun_p_62234** » January 15, 2007, 9:57 pm

i want that rat rod draggin look. im thinkin about mono leafing the front and rear and then using air shock or maybe just drop shocks.
could i mono leaf the front with out having to use airbags?? or could i use airshocks or what

shaun_p_62234 · Post by **shaun_p_62234** » January 15, 2007, 9:57 pm

i want that rat rod draggin look. im thinkin about mono leafing the front and rear and then using air shock or maybe just drop shocks.
could i mono leaf the front with out having to use airbags?? or could i use airshocks or what

Comet · Post by **Comet** » January 15, 2007, 10:11 pm

Airbags are the only way to get that "rat rod draggin' look" as you say (ugh!). You can lay frame with bags.

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » January 16, 2007, 12:03 pm

Rat Rod Draggin look? WTF is that? Rats are made of Junk haning about

Do you mean Like the slick wannabee in classic trucks last month...Flat black and on the ground?

Garbz

Horsepower · Post by **Horsepower** » January 16, 2007, 6:07 pm

We'll see just how low I can get mine

The Tbird rear posed to be delivered on Sat.

Just hope the lincoln bags will fit under it.

jva118 · Post by **jva118** » January 17, 2007, 2:06 pm

ABOUT THIS LOW

[albumimg]1464[/albumimg]
[albumimg]1465[/albumimg]

shaun_p_62234 · Post by **shaun_p_62234** » January 21, 2007, 2:07 am

so i have made my decsion about what to do im gunna run airbags front and rear but i have a good question to ask everyone. could it be possible to 4 link the front stock straight axle? i mean i guess you could but would it work with the steering or how could i airbag it with the stock straight axle cause i love that look and i dont want to hack up my truck. i think you could i had my slick up on the lift and i was thinking of puting a fourlink in front of the front axel with a crossmember behind the bumper but i think the frame might get in the way as well as the oil pan.. any ideas guys?????

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » January 21, 2007, 8:14 am

If you ever get that thing on the road, sounds like your headed for disaster. Get some professional help! (for one of you).................

Truckfarmer · Post by **Truckfarmer** » January 21, 2007, 9:01 am

Have you considered leaving the main leaf spring and adding the airbags?

ELpolacko · Post by **ELpolacko** » January 21, 2007, 12:34 pm

shaun_p_62234 wrote: but i hope that there is a cheaper way of lowering them..

What do you have against spending money on your truck?

I always hear this from newbies to the hobby/sport/fetish/obsession and never understand it. Is it that you're broke and are in such a hurry? Seriously, take your time to learn a few things and save your money.

If you want your truck on the floor then build it that way. Trying to get the job done any other way will surely lead to a less than satisfactory build that you will either sell off to the next chump or you will rip it all apart and start over spending even more money than if you had just done it right the first time around.

Just ripping out all the leafs except the main and then putting air springs on the front axle is a sure fired way to kill yourself. Those leaf springs are there to hold the truck up as well as control axle wrap under cornering and braking.

The first panic stop will go like this:

Brakes applied, rotational force induced into the axle and the spring leaf will deflect allowing the axle to roll forward therefore pulling against the drag link. The Drag link will strain against you and the steering box causing the wheels to violently turn to the right. With the weight transfer already shifting to the front wheels the effect will be exaggerated and the lightened rear axle will swing around causing you to do a full loop. If your forward velocity is sufficient enough you could roll the truck.

Sounds like fun! But I am sure there will be someone with anecdoteal evedence that thier buddy has done this same thing and has never had any adverse problems arise. Call him lucky and stay out of his way.

Mono-leaf springs are meant to replace the entire leaf pack. Installing a pair will lower your truck, air-springs not necessary.

A four link would surely stop the axle wrap but you yourself just pointed out the problems. Axle clearance to the frame and oil pan. The next problem you will incurr is the transmission crossmember. It is vital to the strength of your frame and supports your cab and keeps your stock leaf springs steady under braking. Not only that, removing for ground clearance will weaken your frame and cause more squeaks and rattles. You will need to fabricate some sort of crossmembering system to prevent any premature fatigue to your frame.

Kind of like this, [albumimg]1427[/albumimg]

Click on the picture twice to enlarge it.

shaun_p_62234 · Post by **shaun_p_62234** » January 21, 2007, 9:09 pm

i think i might build a new frame for the truck that will have 4 links front and rear so i can lay rockers and then im gunna start hacking the fenderwells out so i can still run normal tires.

Truckfarmer · Post by **Truckfarmer** » January 22, 2007, 10:05 am

Quote:
Brakes applied, rotational force induced into the axle and the spring leaf will deflect allowing the axle to roll forward therefore pulling against the drag link. The Drag link will strain against you and the steering box causing the wheels to violently turn to the right. With the weight transfer already shifting to the front wheels the effect will be exaggerated and the lightened rear axle will swing around causing you to do a full loop. If your forward velocity is sufficient enough you could roll the truck.

Very good point! I have heard of guys doing that with the rear spring but hadn't thought of the complications when applied to a front end. Thank you.

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » January 22, 2007, 12:21 pm

I thought I replied to this yesterday, but AOL seems to have a problem with this site.

Anyhow, what about doing the crown vic frame swap? You should be able to find a decent c.v or the Mercury Grand Marquis for $1000 or less, put your truck on the frame and get discs, a EFI 302 and AOD, and sell the leftovers for parts and/or scrap. Try searching for frame swap. There some good pics of a light blue uni with a nice stance by Bit Little in one post.

Fanatic · Post by **Fanatic** » January 22, 2007, 4:54 pm

Is this the same Shaun truck with the dog on it? Plastic windows and all!!!

If it is ----please drop the truck off at my house before you have to call the scrap dealer.

shaun_p_62234 · Post by **shaun_p_62234** » January 22, 2007, 8:16 pm

yes it is the same truck and what do u mean by scrap yard im a fabricator and if i can build dirt track modified chassis then i can definently build a frame to put under a slick. its not that hard and im gunna put glass in the doors but not the back window because im having a lexan window built with a plate box in it. i plan on laying frame with shaved everthing and a 500 horse 302 and a t-56 5speed so ican cruiz and still look good at the shows. im tweeding the interior also. im kinda building a custom with styles from rat rods and mini trucks and a little dragster. it is gunna be unique but it will be sweet. o and by the way im not gunna put no 20's on it so dont ask 15" babymoons with red wheels and chrome trim. the truck is gunna be all flat black. tilt front end and all o yeah not actually 302 but a 347 stroker.... im doing a computer drawing right now willhave it up soon. will be the first rendering..

shaun

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » January 24, 2007, 12:24 pm

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 24, 2007, 12:44 pm

shaun_p_62234 wrote:a 500 horse 302 and a t-56 5speed so ican cruiz and still look good at the shows.
shaun

I'll be looking forward to seeing a video of that.

Meantime, I better start reading. These Ford Archives are BIG.

how low can a slick go

how low can a slick go

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