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06-17-2021, 11:40 AM | #1 |
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1934 cabriolet lowering
i have a 34 cabriolet with stock suspension i would like to lower front and back 2 1/2" any input from anyone
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06-17-2021, 12:11 PM | #2 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
Putting a dropped axle in the front is the easiest way to accomplish that end of the deal - with the assumption you're using the same tires/wheels and are running hydraulic brakes. Some folks will "rubber rake" it by running smaller tires/wheels in the front - which can bring the front down some more.
Note: With original mechanical brakes, about the only thing you can do is get a reversed eye spring . . . along with some "rubber rake". It is a real issue trying to drop an axle and run the stock mechanical brakes - due to how the cross-shafts come into the king pins. Keep in mind, that if you're running a stock wishbone and a later flathead with the wider rear oil-pan, then you may not be able to run a reversed eye spring as it can cause the wishbone to hit the oil pan in the rear area of the pan. The rear is a harder deal in that there are only two ways to lower it (without frame mods) - and they may not get you all the way there: 1) You can run longer shackles - the old cheap and easy way. The only issue is that you can get a lot more "shackle sway" in the suspension (due to them being longer). I don't like doing things that make my handling worse (around corners). 2) You can modify the spring: You can remove leaves and/or get a reversed eye main leaf. It will probably take a combination of BOTH to achieve 2.5" of lowering. I would probably go for option #2 - it is the best overall approach, though it costs more money. Isn't that the way it always goes! LOL |
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06-17-2021, 01:10 PM | #3 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
Have not taken it out yet but Mikes 34 phaeton has a reversed eye rear main leaf . Pretty sure he did it to get the stock height back after adding 3 extra rear leafs . He used the car as a parts hauler to swap meets but it's days of being a part time pickup are over . I have plenty stock rear springs but was just going to take the three extras out and put a stock main lead back in as the spring looks real good . If you decide to go this way I will not be using the reversed eye main leaf . Dave.
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06-17-2021, 03:51 PM | #4 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
On the front the easiest would be the old trick of shorter front tires .
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06-17-2021, 07:20 PM | #5 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
where do you get a reversed eye rear spring posies does not sell one
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06-17-2021, 07:33 PM | #6 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
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06-17-2021, 08:19 PM | #7 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
Like I said in the PM I am taking a very good one out . Are you lower 48 ?
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06-17-2021, 08:43 PM | #8 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
Neat 1934 Ford Cabriolet just as it is now. |
06-18-2021, 01:53 AM | #9 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
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06-18-2021, 07:46 AM | #10 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
no not really just think the car would look better a little lower.
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06-18-2021, 08:51 AM | #11 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
How about $20 and you pay shipping ?
Looks like the eye bushings are fine so a straight bolt in . Well a ports power helps some . Mike has the spindle bearings ABOVE the axle - not below where they belong. This lowers the front and obviously causes no issues . I am going to change them back also . |
06-18-2021, 09:28 AM | #12 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
My way is simpler (even fixed droopy door handle)
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DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES Last edited by 51 MERC-CT; 06-18-2021 at 10:05 AM. |
06-18-2021, 09:39 AM | #13 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
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06-18-2021, 09:41 AM | #14 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
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06-19-2021, 07:44 PM | #15 | |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
Quote:
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06-20-2021, 03:21 AM | #16 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
Gotta love the taste of me foot !!! TWICE in the same thread !
Oh well and you are right . Good thing I had not switched it yet and I wonder why it is not on the bottom ? Sure would make more sense to me there . |
06-20-2021, 04:24 AM | #17 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
On an orig 33-34 and '32 there is no room or provisions for a bearing where the axle fits into the spindle.Only shims.The pic I posted is a '32.
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06-20-2021, 05:34 AM | #18 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
sam,
I am new to here, but that is sure a sweet 34! Personally I like the high and dry look and even the drooping door handle. But I am not too hard to please. and am not going on the show circuit either. I think I would get in and have fun with that 34! SWEET! Good luck in your lowering work. Here is my 2 pennies. When you change one thing, FIVE other things have to change also. Just a old engineer's rule of thumb! Love your burgundy ride! Almost makes me want to shine up the 32! But probably not! Regards, Chris
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06-20-2021, 07:58 AM | #19 | |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
Quote:
On many HotRods and non-stock cars, we remove the old style king pins and the above spindle bearings and use a special thrust needle bearing between the axle and the bottom of the spindle - to move the load/weight handling to this location. This is how I did it on my 32 Cabriolet when I switched over to Lincoln/Bendix style brakes. The king pins in these applications are flat on top and flush with the top of the spindle. Also, the "shims" you mention are not shims, but a special type of washer and fiber seal. I believe the main purpose was to keep dirt and crap away from the king pin and lubrication grease in that area. |
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06-20-2021, 09:48 AM | #20 |
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Re: 1934 cabriolet lowering
look into single leaf front spring.
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