Lowering My 71

[slamd71]

I'm curious about the best way to drop the front end. I'm looking to drop 5-6 inches. I'm also wondering about rims and tires..... I'm hoping to run 20 x 10's on the back and 20 x 8's or 18 x 8's on the front. Does anybody know about the offset, backspacing etc i could get away with??? Any information or tips is much appreciated.

[td]

mabe i can give you some useful info here. this is my 68, i used 3'' DJM i-beams and cut one round out of the factory coils to lower the front. it gave me about 4.5 to 5 inches of drop. in the rear you can flip the front spring hanger upside down on the frame to get 4'' of drop and it won't cost you a dime to do it just some labor . i then removed one leaf and added some pinion shims to correct the pinion angle. for the wheels they exactly what you said your wanting to use 20x10 (4.5 B.S)on the rear and 20x8 (4.25 B.S) on the front.

[flatblack]

mabe i can give you some useful info here. this is my 68, i used 3'' DJM i-beams and cut one round out of the factory coils to lower the front. it gave me about 4.5 to 5 inches of drop. in the rear you can flip the front spring hanger upside down on the frame to get 4'' of drop and it won't cost you a dime to do it just some labor . i then removed one leaf and added some pinion shims to correct the pinion angle. for the wheels they exactly what you said your wanting to use 20x10 (4.5 B.S)on the rear and 20x8 (4.25 B.S) on the front.

dammm that looks good.

[aramil]

thats how i picture my truck but i want mine an inch or two lower so the rim tucks inside the fenders.

[td]

thats how i picture my truck but i want mine an inch or two lower so the rim tucks inside the fenders.

thanks flatblack! aramil if it could be a little lower i to would have it there but unfortunately this is all you can do with i-beams, i have a small bit of negative camber with the 1 round out of the coils now, and there is no way to correct it with aftermarket i-beams. so if you tried to go lower with this suspension set-up the camber would simply destroy your tires.

[Joshpow]

Nice and low for no major frame mods there. I plan the flip in the rear on my 72. What size bolts are used to re fasten the perches. Also did you use grade 8? I would like to know before I cut the rivets on my 72. I want it to be a 1 day down event, so I need the bolts ready and waiting.

[td]

josh, i wish i could tell you for sure but its been a while , i do remember using grade 8 hardware.

[427blackpearl]

heres mine with djm beams and djm shakels/hangers. it sits good, i wish it was a little lower

[nmu91]

What happens if you have the flex-o-matic rear suspension? Is that more difficult to lower the rear end?

[td]

What happens if you have the flex-o-matic rear suspension? Is that more difficult to lower the rear end?

nmu91, i am not at all familiar with the flex-o-matic susp. so i can't offer any help. i would like for someone to explain the diff. in the regular leaf spring rearend and the flex-o-matic, and also give "nmu91" some advice on how to lower it.

[427blackpearl]

never see one my self

[Thunderfoot]

What happens if you have the flex-o-matic rear suspension? Is that more difficult to lower the rear end?

Yes, more difficult... You can't use the rear drop kit that DJM, etc sells it wont work with them... But you have a couple of options, you can flip just the front spring mount and re-shim the pinion angle... ezernut9mm and a couple of others have done this... Or you can mount the axle on top of the springs...

For those that have never seen the Flex-o-matic here is some info... http://www.bumpsides.com/72lit/3.jpg and http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... flexomatic

[Calvin Gunter]

The bolts for the hanger flip are 1/2x18x3/4.I just did this last night and it ain't no cake walk.Grade 8 of course.Good luck,Calvin