Dropping the '69 tomorrow

[Randy Beck]

Got a couple of buddies coming over tomorrow to install a brand new set of 3" DJM drop beams with all new disc brakes installed. Also got a set of DJM drop shackles for the rear. I'm really excited about how the hotrod F100 is going to look after the installation of the beams and shackles. I'll post some pics of the project later tomorrow evening.

[Levi W. Kring]

so how did it go. I'm thinking of doing the same thing to my '67. I'd love to see some pics

[Randy Beck]

We got the DJM drop beams installed, they were real easy. Got the front disc brake installed next, here again pretty straight foward and easy. The onty problem I had with the DJM drop kit was with the tie rod relocators. They are a crappy design and are a bear to get the castle nut tighend down and getting the cotter pin installed. The prop valve and brake lines, well that was a beast! The prop valve from the '69 drum setup and the prop valve from the '73 parts truck are totally different requiring a couple hours of strategic bends in the original tubing. I finished up on the front end last night at 9pm. All thats left to do is bleed the brakes. I planning on starting on the rear DJM drop hangers later this morning after it warms up a bit. I got the bed off so this should be a fairly easy job. I'll get some more pics of the disc brakes and beams later today along with some before and after shots of the ride height.

[customcrewcab]

looking good

[Big D's 69]

Can't wait to see the final pics. Hope you have some before and definatley after pics.

[Randy Beck]

Just got the bed back on the truck this morning and I am going to get some "after" pics of it posted soon.

[marz68]

Looking good! Even tho my truck is already lowered, it's exciting to see some one else's freshly lowered truck.

[Randy Beck]

Here's some more pics of the drop project.




Before

After: As you can tell, the front of the truck is sitting higher than the rear. The front actually only dropped 2" with the 3" drop beams


I may try cutting 1 round off a set of old springs I have to see if that drops the front down to the same height as the rear

[dcbullet]

Nice pictures of the project!

Yeah, looks like you need just a bit more down in the front (or bring up the back a little).

[benm78]

nice looking truck! I'm getting ready to do the same with my truck, but I may not do the hangers in the rear.....

you were able to use some of your stock brake lines during prop valve install and disc integration? I thought i'd have to bend all new lines....??

[Randy Beck]

The only brake lines I had to replace were the ones coming from the M/C to the prop valve. The lines and prop valve came off a '73 donor truck. The lines that come from the wheel cylinders had to be bent slightly for them to screw into the new prop valve.

[SmokeyBear]

You may want to wait a week or so before doing any cutting, the front may sag a bit more once you drive it around a bit.

[spartman]

That actually doesn't look to bad for a drop project.

Usually when I see the words drop project it conjures up images of a truck just barely clearing the ground.

[Big D's 69]

It looks good. I'm with Smokey let everything settle back down before you cut anything.

[John McGaughey]

The truck looks great. Did you hit any snags along the way? Would you do anything differnt if you had to do it again. I'm planning on lowering one of my short beds next spring so any words of wisdom would help.



John