Lowering the front on the '51 Chevy; part 2

I finally got around to putting the 54 lower control arms and uprights in my car. It dropped it about 3" at the fender at the center of the wheels and 4" at the bumper and it left me with 4" of ground clearance between the Waltons crossmember and the road. I'll be replacing that with a hot rod works crossmember which will raise my ground clearance up 2" in the center.

[@tortugaclan]

Always be willing to change plans when owning a classic car. Don’t lose your spacers or nuts. Always prelube. And have friends that will help.

[@sandrageorge4429]

I’d be more worried about the frame cancer , and the body rot , before I jumped on any lowering projects first ! But that’s just me

[@ninja63639]

The frame was fine, the body is why I got rid of it. I appreciate the comment. Take care

[@ninja63639]

So I might leave my swaybar disconnected. I just drove it around town, around curves and about 10 minutes at 65 miles an hour and noticed no difference whatsoever in handling. The only thing I did notice is I just floated over bumps, whereas when the sway bar was connected, before I lowered the front end, it made my every bump in the road more pronounced

[@ronray6106]

Thanks for the video got a crazy question is it possible to flip the uprights on a 51 or will it bolt up. Basically the 51 upright sits low where it connects. Is the big bolt holding it in is it a big bolt on top

[@ninja63639]

Honestly man I havent tried on a chevy but it works on my Ford shoebox. I read it didn't work on Chevys but I dont see why it wouldn't. I don't have the car anymore to look at unfortunately

[@ninja63639]

From what I remember the bolts are the same (just like the Ford) with the only difference being one controls the camber (lower) while the other is just a big ass bolt (upper)

[@korelawrence3649]

Hey Chris primo video , wanted ask if the 54 arms work the same in a 52? And the inch spacer you modded add the extra inch to lowering?

[@ninja63639]

Yeah man they work on the '52 perfectly. The inch spacers actually give about a 2" drop at the wheel. After the spacers and upright swap I still have full turn lock to lock with factory wheels so it worked perfectly

[@korelawrence3649]

Oh sweet , time to track down 54 front stuff cheers

[@korelawrence3649]

And one more question, how'd you go about lowering the rear ? Flipped leafs ? Lowering blocks? Or reset springs?

[@ninja63639]

@@korelawrence3649 When I did the T5 and axle swap the perches I had made dropped it an inch and a 1/2", I'm using 3" lowering blocks and the '53 Chevy leaf springs I put in were sagged about 2". It rides perfectly and the only time the axle hits the frame is on the highway over a pothole or something like that. I was going to notch it over the Winter but I'm selling it instead to fund a '49 Ford coupe

[@korelawrence3649]

@Christopher Spencer oh nice , I just picked up a 52 deluxe first piece of American tin I've had the pleasure of owning its all factory standard .. NZ has a limited range of off the shelf stuff when it comes to lowering vehicles. Might get them reset and blocks , what size tyre are you running 205/60r15? I still have factory 650-15 crossply tyres

[@dallaspugh9746]

Thank you for the video thought bout lowing my 50 styleline

[@ninja63639]

Do it man. They had these things riding sky high from the factory.

[@marcodeleon426]

Chris, thanks for the videos. I like how you explain and show the process while you go through the project your working on..

[@ninja63639]

Thanks for watching. I've seen so many videos where people either do the work without talking or just show a finished job. I try and make my videos as a sort of step by step guide, so to speak

[@andrewvitale2700]

Great video you took all guess work out in showing the order to do things and what wrench size to use..thanks again .

[@ninja63639]

Thanks man I appreciate it.

[@tombob671]

Good job, BTW in my town that 4 inches would be too low with these streets

[@ninja63639]

It may be too low in mine too. I already have to take the long way to my house and I haven't crossed any train tracks yet

[@joebiker5992]

Thanks for the videos! Very informative! Will definately use this on my 54

[@ninja63639]

Does yours have the two piece lower control arm?

[@joebiker5992]

@ChriS Spencer not too sure yet. I haven't started workin on it yet, but it is an untouched '54

[@ninja63639]

@@joebiker5992 from what I’ve found it’s 50/50 on if they are or not. Enjoy it

[@joebiker5992]

@@ninja63639 thank you! I can't wait

[@timtimmermon7947]

Hey Chris, did you have any other issues with adding the spacers to the arms? Steering arm issues or alignment issues? Thanks for all of your videos.

[@ninja63639]

No sir. It's essentially the same as cutting a coil or two.

[@timtimmermon7947]

Thanks, Chris. So you got that drop with just the 54 arms and uprights and spacers? Is the coil just a stock coil?

[@ninja63639]

@@timtimmermon7947 They're the stock powerglide coils. But yeah between the arms and uprights that all I did.

[@turnipgreen2869]

Well shit now I gotta find some 54 stuff ..53 and 54 the same ?

[@ninja63639]

I would think the lower control arms are but I'm not positive. I know for sure the uprights are though

[@rockerpat1085]

Where you at? I'm getting ready to install a Mustang 2 front end on my 54!!! Will have the whole front end left over!!!! Keep Rocking!!!