The Ford Barn

santino2010 · 03-20-2015, 12:57 AM

Hello there everybody I just lowered my coupe from the rear installed 3 inch lowering blocks and took off a few leaf springs
So I'm assuming the drop is now 6 inches
I installed 6 degree angle shims but I feel that's the car vibrates quite a bit when step on the gas pedal..
Any good tricks under anybody sleeves

?????
Can't afford air bags yet so wanna make it look cool
Thank you

WestCoast · 03-20-2015, 01:08 AM

you need 3 degree drive angle , 6 is to much, remove the shim and run it again

51 MERC-CT · 03-20-2015, 04:29 AM

As stated 6 degree shim is way too much.
So you are "assuming" the drop is 6 inches? Don't be surprised if you have issues with the driveshaft hitting the floor.

santino2010 · 03-20-2015, 07:38 AM

So 6 degree is to much of an angle???
The driveshaft doesn't rub up against the tunnel or anything
So what degree do you recommend for the drive angle 3 degrees? ??
Thanks

41LjH · 03-20-2015, 07:43 AM

Also consider replacing the u joints. Even thought they aren't binding you have introduced a new wear pattern to old joints. As a teenager I lowered a 58 ford 4" and the drive shaft snapped the front u joint after about 3 weeks.

Blu Dice · 03-20-2015, 07:52 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I doubt it's drop 6" - I did 3" blocks and 2 small springs and it dropped 4" - and did scraped the tunnel once in a while on my '50 - didn't change the angle and it drove smooth as silk. What did you do to the front springs?

santino2010 · 03-20-2015, 08:30 AM

Oh wow then I might have lowered it about 5 inches maybe
But when I first lowered it with just the blocks and no shims the seal was leaking gear oil like crazy so after I put the shims on and new seal it stopped the leak... the front is stock height

I am so not good with suspension lol

santino2010 · 03-20-2015, 08:35 AM

Hey 41LJH
I I should replace the u joints your right
That's a very awesome looking truck on the video
All original

Rand · 03-20-2015, 12:56 PM

Now that's a tail drager....6 inches lower in the rear and 0 up front...Randy

Blu Dice · 03-20-2015, 02:39 PM

I guess you won't be driving it at night - LOL - headlights in the sky!!

rotorwrench · 03-21-2015, 09:37 AM

I remember when folks wanted to jack the car up in the ass end with long spring shackles. Personally, I never really understood what folks saw in these types of modifications. The cars do look different after a lowering job but not everyone thinks it looks cool. There has been a 51 Merc convertible on flea pay for a while and I noticed that it had no springs under it and angle iron was welded to the rear axle. It was low too but I don't think is was going anywhere like that.

scooder · 03-21-2015, 02:15 PM

I can't work out why you fitted those 6 degree shims? There was no rhyme or reason to fit them.
If the pinion seal leaked as you stated, why not fix the seal?
The rear axle angle in relation to the engine and trans angle only changes very slightly when you lower it like you have. Not enough to make it "wrong" in fact difficult to measure the difference.
Take the shims out, fix the leak, change the universal joints. And drive.
Martin.

lonewolf · 03-30-2015, 04:09 AM

Look into aerostar front springs for the front

49 Spinner · 03-30-2015, 06:33 AM

I second the Aerostar coils for the front, $55 for 2.5" drop.

03-20-2015, 12:57 AM	#1
santino2010 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 60	49 coupe lowering issue...... Hello there everybody I just lowered my coupe from the rear installed 3 inch lowering blocks and took off a few leaf springs So I'm assuming the drop is now 6 inches I installed 6 degree angle shims but I feel that's the car vibrates quite a bit when step on the gas pedal.. Any good tricks under anybody sleeves????? Can't afford air bags yet so wanna make it look cool Thank you

03-20-2015, 01:08 AM	#2
WestCoast Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: oroville calif Posts: 893	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... you need 3 degree drive angle , 6 is to much, remove the shim and run it again

03-20-2015, 04:29 AM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... As stated 6 degree shim is way too much. So you are "assuming" the drop is 6 inches? Don't be surprised if you have issues with the driveshaft hitting the floor. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-20-2015, 07:38 AM	#4
santino2010 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 60	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... So 6 degree is to much of an angle??? The driveshaft doesn't rub up against the tunnel or anything So what degree do you recommend for the drive angle 3 degrees? ?? Thanks

03-20-2015, 07:43 AM	#5
41LjH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NW North Carolina Posts: 461	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... Also consider replacing the u joints. Even thought they aren't binding you have introduced a new wear pattern to old joints. As a teenager I lowered a 58 ford 4" and the drive shaft snapped the front u joint after about 3 weeks. __________________ 3 pedals, 3 gears, no valve-covers.. *Now THAT* is a hot rod** !! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmwwB34vxJE

03-20-2015, 07:52 AM	#6
Blu Dice Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Plainfield, IN Posts: 360	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I doubt it's drop 6" - I did 3" blocks and 2 small springs and it dropped 4" - and did scraped the tunnel once in a while on my '50 - didn't change the angle and it drove smooth as silk. What did you do to the front springs? __________________ 4 doors are better than no doors!

03-20-2015, 08:30 AM	#7
santino2010 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 60	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... Oh wow then I might have lowered it about 5 inches maybe But when I first lowered it with just the blocks and no shims the seal was leaking gear oil like crazy so after I put the shims on and new seal it stopped the leak... the front is stock height I am so not good with suspension lol

03-20-2015, 08:35 AM	#8
santino2010 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 60	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... Hey 41LJH I I should replace the u joints your right That's a very awesome looking truck on the video All original

03-20-2015, 12:56 PM	#9
Rand Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 380	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... Now that's a tail drager....6 inches lower in the rear and 0 up front...Randy

03-20-2015, 02:39 PM	#10
Blu Dice Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Plainfield, IN Posts: 360	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... I guess you won't be driving it at night - LOL - headlights in the sky!! __________________ 4 doors are better than no doors!

03-21-2015, 09:37 AM	#11
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,423	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... I remember when folks wanted to jack the car up in the ass end with long spring shackles. Personally, I never really understood what folks saw in these types of modifications. The cars do look different after a lowering job but not everyone thinks it looks cool. There has been a 51 Merc convertible on flea pay for a while and I noticed that it had no springs under it and angle iron was welded to the rear axle. It was low too but I don't think is was going anywhere like that.

03-21-2015, 02:15 PM	#12
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... I can't work out why you fitted those 6 degree shims? There was no rhyme or reason to fit them. If the pinion seal leaked as you stated, why not fix the seal? The rear axle angle in relation to the engine and trans angle only changes very slightly when you lower it like you have. Not enough to make it "wrong" in fact difficult to measure the difference. Take the shims out, fix the leak, change the universal joints. And drive. Martin.

03-30-2015, 04:09 AM	#13
lonewolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 464	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... Look into aerostar front springs for the front

03-30-2015, 06:33 AM	#14
49 Spinner Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 22	Re: 49 coupe lowering issue...... I second the Aerostar coils for the front, $55 for 2.5" drop.