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By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago Has anyone ordered lowering springs from Jameco? I would like to lower my wagon 2-3 inches. By '60 Fairlane - 9 Years Ago Be careful with Jamco. Have never used them myself, but if you do an internet search there have been several complaints in recent years about them. Of course we both know you can't trust everything you read on the net. What year is your wagon? Aerostar springs might be an option for you. -Dave By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago It's a 56. I looked into that. Looks like a good choice for the front but what about the rear? I don't want lowering blocks. By '60 Fairlane - 9 Years Ago Cinder blocks in the trunk? Just kidding! I did that as a poor stupid kid in high school, wanted a tail dragger. Why not lowering blocks? Is there a spring shop in your area that could make a new set of springs, or re-work your originals? -Dave By charliemccraney - 9 Years Ago Rear springs would be leaf springs, right?  Re arching is a very cost effective way to lower, particularly for only 2-3 inches.  The bushings are likely shot, assuming they are original.  Replace the bushings, reinstall the springs and measure the current ride height, take them to a spring shop and tell them how much lower you want them. I'd do the front first since it will probably be more difficult to custom tailor the ride height there then lower the back however much is necessary to match. By miker - 9 Years Ago IIRC, when I put the wagon rear end under my 55 bird (late 60's), the only difference was the spring perches. I needed 1 1/2" or 2". Blocks to bring the car back to level. If the springs need to be gone thru, that's probably the better route. By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago Yes it has rear leafs. I was hoping to find a kit for the front and rear like Jameco has instead of piecemeal the parts. With the Versailles spindles I don't think the Aerostar springs would work. Would be too much in the front since I assume they will lower the front 1" I dont want to go any lower than 3" overall.I think I will call my local spring shop to see what the can do. They may have new bushings also. By MarkMontereyBay - 9 Years Ago I used the Granada spindles on my 57 Bird for the disc brake change. Tried it with the Aerostar springs but it was way too low and had to take them off.  By GREENBIRD56 - 9 Years Ago I was figuring I would end up in the same shape as Mark if I put the shorter progressive rate springs on with the dropped late spindles (way too low). But - I really hate to give up the modern ride and handling of the progressives..... Suppose we would use urethane or rubber spacers on top of the springs to jack the ride height back to where we want it? I don't see any down side to that method. The lower A-arm needs to be roughly horizontal in order to make things work right.  By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago Greenbird, I take it the progressive springs you are talking about are the Aerostar? Do they offer that much of a drive/ride improvement? If the spacer would work and get me to within a 1/2 inch of the back I would definitely try them. I am putting parts together now to rebuild the front end and change to discs so I am thinking now is a good time to do springs also. By miker - 9 Years Ago Steve has this one figured out. The Moog catalog lists the 1979-on Fox body springs as 4.01", and the Aerostar at 4.07", I think. And there's a ton of different spacers for the Mustangs. Summit lists a bunch of them. Remember, 1/2" change at the spring will be a bit more for the car as a whole. Summit shows some of this, but I don't know how it applies to our mixed applications. I've had the Aerostar springs in for years, and I love them. By GREENBIRD56 - 9 Years Ago The progressive springs have the coils wound in such a way as to get stiffer as they collapse. So at relatively minor compression, they feel like the original springs - but as they approach the bump stops, the "spring-rate" goes up. When the spring is out lying on the garage floor, you can see that the coils start at one spacing and slowly change to another. The spring is roughly halfway out the swing arm from pivot to the tire - so a half inch up or down at the spring is more like an inch or two of body movement. By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago If a 1/2" spacer would raise the cars body 1-2" that would be perfect. I talked to Dave at Drop em N Stop em and he told me the Versailles spindles would lower my car 1 1/2. So with the Aerostar springs and a 1/2" spacer that should put me at my 3" drop I am looking for. Right? By MarkMontereyBay - 9 Years Ago In my case, I am dealing with a wide tire and fender clearance on turning, especially on bumps, driveways. I have 7 inch/3.75 inch backspace Torque Thrust D's with 225/60 15 Michelin Pilots. I would have to change wheels and/or tires to make lowering any further practical. BigWindow62, the Aerostar springs are gathering dust in the garage. They're yours for the cost of shipping if you want them. Don't remember your location and the springs aren't very expensive, I think they were about 90 bucks when I bought them. By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago Pm sent. Thanks! By Rowen - 9 Years Ago Not hijack the thread, but, if I want to lower the front of my 55CV, the Aerostar springs are a good choice? How much will they lower it? I will be keeping the stock size tires and wheels on the front. Going to use a 15" slightly wider tire and wheel combo on the back.thanks guys, Rowen By '60 Fairlane - 9 Years Ago Everything I've read indicates the Aerostar springs drop a 50's Ford about 3". -Dave By Rowen - 9 Years Ago That would be perfect!! I have all new front end parts so it looks like I have a good weekend ahead of me next month. No fender well interference from the tires with this set up? Rowen By Rowen - 9 Years Ago Oh, and what year springs? Are they all the same? By miker - 9 Years Ago If you search Aerostar here, some info will come up. This is an old but good post, with some pictures and part numbers here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/cheap-and-great-alternative-coil-springs-49-thru-59-ford-and-merc.260795/ By Rowen - 9 Years Ago Thanks miker, excellent info!! I GREATLY appreciate the link!! Rowen By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago Let us know how the fender to tire clearance is after you do the drop. I have a set of factory wheels I can use if needed. I am not sure of the rim width thats on mine now but the car has 235/75/15 on it with no problem at stock height. By MoonShadow - 9 Years Ago I've been running 3" blocks on the back of my Vicky for years. Just put some 8" wide mopar wheels on it. There is plenty of clearance on each side. I can run my hand over the side of the tire at the top. The only problem with it lowered is that I have to take the shock loose before I jack the car up so I can get the tire on and off. Chuck By 62bigwindow - 9 Years Ago My biggest concern was the front and turning radius. What size are your fronts? By MoonShadow - 9 Years Ago I'm running 205/75 r15's. never had any clearance issues. I did find with the 3" blocks the rear end and drive shaft a just a little close to the floor boards. I put a set of helper coils on the rear shocks. Just enough stiffness on a bump to stop the problem. Fronts totally clear. I use the pieces of stock sold on EBAY for the fronts. You drill out the rivets that hold the spring plate to the bottom A frame insert the 1" square by 6" blocks. Bolt them up and you will find a couple of inches in drop. I had my alingment checked and it didn't change anything. Just lowers the spring plate about an inch. Chuck By MarkMontereyBay - 9 Years Ago That is an awesome Ford. The ride height, the louvers, all black, .....just great! I love how the red Tbird engine emblems are set off by the black. Very cool. By MoonShadow - 9 Years Ago Thanks for the compliment. Been a long time project but it's closer to done now than it has ever been. I picked up the Vicky while stationed in El Paso Texas then set out to make the car I wanted in high school but never could afford. So all the things I've done have stayed fairly close to the 60's. I did add an Autosound radio/cd player and an electronic antenna. Just finished up the front wheels today. Powder coated a pair and had the tires switched over. Now the beauty rings and "spider" caps are on. Interior is in a generaly stock style but is highlighted with 1" roll and pleat. Oh, all black too, of course. I currently have two engines. The one in the car is a warmed up 292 with some Mummert stuff and a McCullouch supercharger (another high school dream). This is the current engine. And next is the 4-71 blower engine Ted Eaton built for me. Probably wont get that one in this summer though. Chuck By Rowen - 9 Years Ago Oh my goodness MoonShadow!!! Those are some gorgeous power plants!! Makes me ALL excited to get mine!! I'm going up to Olympia Wash on the 22nd to pick up my new engine for my 55CV. Nicely massaged 292 with Mummert forged domed pistons. A nice cam, rods have been balanced and a bunch of other stuff that's been done. I have a 57 E Code dual quad intake and I'm havin Sal Cicala build me a couple tea pots for it. I too am building my high school dream car. Fellow that was havin it built ran into hard times so I helped him out as much as I could with the price but I still picked it up for a song!! Ill find out if I got the deal of the decade, or a pig in a poke!?!? I've talked with the fellow that built it and seen pics.......I'm a trusting guy....so we will see...?!? Didn't mean ta go off about my car,.. This about that beauty of yours. VERY VERRY NICE!! Hope ya smoke those meats every day!! That's my plan to keep me young!! :0) Rowen By MoonShadow - 9 Years Ago Rowen, This site is all about going on about our cars. Considering this is a lower topic I've already drifted afar. Couldn't resist the chance to show off a bit. I've been watching your beautiful car here too. And as to deals, my son was getting ready to go off to college in the late 80's. He needed a car and went shopping. At the time I had a 41 Ford convertible and a 69 Firebird. The Firebird had a modified 428 motor out of a Gran Pris, a 3:80 rear gear and a modified turbo 400. Needless to say it would burn the hides easily. Long story, son comes home and says he's found a car but would need a cosigner. We went to the dealership and there sat Vicky. Had a two tone black and white paint job a solid drive-train and a mexican upholstery. I test drove it and it was impressive. Did everything as it should. Went to the salesman and finished the deal. When I had signed the papers my son, without missing a stride, says "I'll trade you for the Firebird". Damn smart kid knew my affection to Fords. Simple swap title for title as we share our names. Texas didn't put age on the titles. I de-tuned the Firebird, put in a 3:20 gear and sent him off to school. I ended up with a $1500 Vicky. Been going at it ever since. Boy still has the Firebird too it's in storage at his inlaws in Sonora, Texas. I still think I was set up but who's complaining! Chuck By Canadian Hot Rodder - 9 Years Ago Moon Shadow,  I lowered my car the same way you are talking about and it worked great! Drilled out the rivets on the spring perches and made my own spacers from 1" aluminum bar stock. Replaced the rivets with grade 8 bolts and with the Granada spindles, this lowered the front of my car 4 1/2". Back I used 2 1/2" lowering blocks. Rides great and never bottoms out unless I hit a pot hole.   By Rowen - 9 Years Ago Chuck, I do love your tag line!! When I retire, I will be smellin it EVERY morn!! Rowen By Rowen - 9 Years Ago That last post was for canadianhotrodder. Sorry, I get SO confused!! Rowen By MoonShadow - 9 Years Ago I was going to do the Granade/Versailles spindles but I didn't want to go any lower. When I did the spacers I drilled out the rivets on one side and inserted two of the new bolts. Repeated it on the other side. Then supporting the spring plate on a floor jack let it down on the new bolts. Took one bolt out inserted the spacer took the other bolt out slid the spacer in and walla! Just repeated 3 more times then inserted the other bolts and tightened. Didn't have to drop the shock or anything. Worked great and when I checked the alignment it didn't change. Where the heck were these blocks in 59 when I cut the springs on an earlier Ford. Chuck By GREENBIRD56 - 9 Years Ago Not only does it work slick - but you can order up four lengths of 1" x 1" square aluminum bar from "Online Metals" and make your own pretty cheap............. Chuck - do you run yours with shortened "bump stops"? By MoonShadow - 9 Years Ago Still running the stock ones. I hear them on a decent bump but not bad. Chuck