Getting the 53 down

[see ten]

I've played around with our "search" feature and I've found some bits of info here and there. Sorry if this has been asked to many times already. I just helped one of my buddies haul in his Pops 53 today. He's leaning towards using the stock frame and wants to be able to plant the running boards as close to the ground as possible. Is there one particular brand of MustangII / crossmember kit that works/performs better then others. I've installed a Fatman Ultralow kit on a car before and was pleased with it, but I've never done one on a pickup. What rearends make good donors to convert it to an open driveline? It seems like I've read that 2nd generation Camaros work well? How much of a C notch are you guys running? Are we looking at a mild notch or are we gonna have to get a bit more serious? If so are you guys buying or building your notch? Also, what seems to be the best setup for the rear suspension? I used a Triangulated 4 link on the same car that I installed the Fatman frontend on and it seems to be working out quite well. Is a four link the way to go? Prefered source for these parts?

I had thought about posting these questions in the "Suspension" forum but considering I was wanting info about these years specifically....I thought I would give this section a shot.

Here's our starting point.

[IvanfromtheCrackie]

EXCELLENT IDEA!!

I've been lurkin all kinds of crap hearin all kinds of opinions but never with any factual evidence. Its gonna be great to get pics and ideas of what successes and failures people have experienced.

Thanks for starting the thread and I look forward to contributing mine when I'm done.

-Ivan !

[OrrieG]

Welcome guys. I recommend you check out the build threads with rigs that are low like you want. Pictures are worth a thousand words and opinions. While I am going the opposite direction, I watch all the build threads because I'd like to maybe tackle a slammed truck in the future. Also a lot of the info on brakes, gas tanks, inteiors, etc. applies to any build. My next project is my 64 Chevelle daily drivers rolling resto and I have even found details here that will work with that project. Oh you might also take a look at the HAMB site if yoy haven't, they have some pretty radical lowered rigs there too.

[mylow53]

i went with a heits mustang 2. and 2" drop spindles. on the rear i used a 9" ford. with a 2" ish c noch in the original frame. my running boards don't hit the ground like some of the more modified rides. my bed still looks like a bed cause of that. if you want the running boards on the pavement you will need a big c notch the original frame won't go that low. by the way with my mild c notch my tranny sits 1/4" from the ground, so you will probably need to modify the engine mounts and firewall to go lower than me....
i say drive it as is with a lowered axel upfront and bend the rear leafs to hight
just my 2 pennies
GT

[see ten]

Thanks for the info...I do assure you that he's already set on it getting an IFS of some type. I had even suggested to him that we could try to get the old six going and put him in a dropped axle. He said that he wasn't interested in going that route. This truck will be getting a V8 and bagged.


I'll be sure to keep you guys updated.

[cajundragger]

If this is the stance you want it take a good bit of work...



I have a scotts hotrods MM2 front end with dropped spindles and I had to z my frame to get it all the way to the ground and raise the transmission up. The rear is a tri 4 link with bag on bar.

[see ten]

He said that he wants it down as low as we can get it to go! Now, the question remains, will he want to do the additional work to get it as low as yours or will he be satisfied with it being as low as the previously posted truck. Where do you get your 4 link? Is it a universal or specific kit, or did you fabricate it all yourself?

Thanks!

[cajundragger]

its from *****************


its just a universal one. I calculate all my antisquat and roll center and just call in the measurements of the bars I want and set them up.

[see ten]

Anyone else..???

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

A Must II w/2" dropped spindles will put it as low as you can get & still be able to drive it.

For the rear I use Crysler 5th ace leaf springs w/2" lowering blocks. In addition to that I raise the rear spring mount 4"...see att

Don Meyer

[IvelDesigns]

subscribing to this thread since i will also be bringing home a 50 next month. I'm looking for the same stance as see ten described. I don't want the running boards literally on the ground, but they need to be within an inch.

I'm searching for build threads like this now, but haven't found any with good pics.

The rear seems pretty straight forward. There's a build thread on a dodge in the project builds forum that has given me some inspiration. It's the front that i'm not sure about.

oh, i will be sticking a plain ol' sbc in it.

[fleetsidefive8]

no doubt good ideas..regarding lowering truck, but u must run that bumper.

[IvelDesigns]

I did some more research and found that s10 swaps are common right along with mustang II setups. After running the numbers, and working in the coolness factor, it seems like the mustang II setup is the way to go. Zigs Hot Rods can help with a package deal for everything you need.

Here's one of the better threads i used to learn about this:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=218090&page=6

[see ten]

If you like the bumper, you'll love the exhaust!

[b00sted]

well at least you got some free tools with the deal...LOL

[OrrieG]

I got 4 with my 74 donor truck, two for the window levers and two for the door levers.... Those must be genuine ViceGrip brand, cheap Chinese stuff would never last. I would send the photo to them and see if they can use it in an ad. Might get a coupon or something for a free set.

[mylow53]

love it!! i thought i was the only one to miss use vice grips.. i actually held the front leafs together when they broke in high school
GT

[see ten]

Those Vise grips were put on by my budddys Pops when he was still driving the pickup.....I think he died in 86. I guess he was a rat rodder before there were rat rodders!

[b00sted]

too cool...