Help with lowering front

[memo43]

As the title says I need some insight on lowering the front end. Never lowered or droped one before.
The truck is a 1956 chevy short bed. The frame is a 78 blazer front end. All components are stock.
I am encloseing some pictures of the front end. any and all help will help




As you can see on the pictures the lower a arms are pretty close to the ground. This is a daily driver, so it has to still be enjoyable to drive, I know the coil springs are for a big block, since it is now a small block between the frames will cutting them or switching them out help.
I just want to lessen the gap between the top of the tire an fender

[dmwphoto]

I would give Mark a call at ECE
http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

good luck with your project. Any full truck pics?

[lolife99]

If your front tires hang outside the fenders,... you can only go so low before you start rubbing the fender during suspension compression.
I would just trim your existing stock coil spring.

I use this "rule of thumb":
1/2 coil = 1" of drop.
Remove the spring.
Trim the bottom of the spring and re-install.

[memo43]

thanks for the replies,
So every 1/2 coil will be 1", how will the handleing be. any major changes.
As far as the tires hanging out, they dont really stick out, there might be minor rubbing. That is just a matter or hammering the lip in more.
Here are more pictures of it. I want to tear it down, an rebuild but being in the millitary and it is my daily driver kind of hard to find the time.

[lolife99]

Actually I don't think you can go any lower.
Look at the orange arrow.
Your tire will make contact with the fender if you lower the front any more.

I hate to say it,... but the front wheels are not centered in the fender opening.
They are too far back.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by lolife99

.....
I hate to say it,... but the front wheels are not centered in the fender opening.
They are too far back.

Keith I "think" thats an illusion because the front tires are turned a bit.

memo43 do you have any pics with the front wheels straight? Regardless, lolife99 is offering you the correct advise as long as there isn't a clearance issue as he pointed out.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Keith I "think" thats an illusion because the front tires are turned a bit.

Hey Ken,.. I realize that.
But straightening the wheels up,... wont make that much difference.
Look at all the room in front of the tire.
Plus,... as the a-arm raises, (to lower the truck),... it also move the wheel/spindle centerline towards the rear of the truck.

[memo43]

Ill take some in the morning, once it gets light out. I hope that it can be lowered, if not some medal to close the gap. Give it the illusion
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[lolife99]

A simple way to check, would be to remove the front spring on one side.
Re-install the wheel.
Then place a floor jack under the a-arm and slowly raise the wheel.
This will tell you, for sure, how much you can lower it up front without any interference.

[memo43]

Thanks for the input, I'll see if I can give it a try tomorrow. Will definately post pictures.
Stll hopeing the wheel are centerd in the frnders. If you look at the first few pics the tires looked centered. Regardless I will check again and post pictures.

[memo43]

So I was able to get some work on the truck, mostly cleaning it.
I did straigthed the wheel an measeured the distance from to see if the tires are centerd in the wheel well. I have roughly 3 3/4" from the center of the wheel to the fender wall.

But before I can even attemp to lower the front I have to align the front fenders.
I have about 3/4" gap at the bottom of the fender.
I just glad its not something worse .

But I do apreciate everyones responce. Once I get the gaps fixed I will play with lowering the front an maybe the rear. I have leaf springs in the back. I should be able to take a leaf out an get closer to mother earth correct.