I want to lower my 59 just a bit but i think cuttin the almost 50 yr. old springs and putting them back in might be a bad idea. Is there another way to do this like buying corvette sb springs? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
58-64 Canadian Pontiacs/Chevs have very long front springs. I am not sure any other make will fit it. Dropped spindles from a Chevy will fit....seen a lot of them lowered, so I am sure they are available.
Thanks to the popularity of the 58 to 64 Chevies, there are tonnes of aftermarket suspension goodies we can use under our cars. If you really want to go nuts, AirRide makes complete front and rear end air bag kits for our cars that install with no welding needed. It's a little pricey, but what the hell, right?
If you're looking for a more affordable approach, dropped spindles are probably the best way to go, or you could get a new set of springs for a 59 Chevy and cut a coil or two out to really be easy on the pocket book. Keep in mind that dropped spindles will keep your correct front-end geometry and alignment specs at ride hight, but cut coils will not.
One more thing: whatever you do, DON'T use a torch to soften the springs and let them sag. That will weaken the spring and probably cause it to fail. If you go with cut coils, cut them with a cut-off wheel to keep the heat down (not the gas axe).
thanks guys for the tips! Ive seen the air ride stuff and that will have to be a little later when i win some cash but i thought i would try to just cut the springs and find the height i want without slammin the nose in the ground and then maybe buying new springs that height? How much do drop spindles go for? My younger brother is a mechanic so he can help me pull it apart without impaling ourselves! He has a 1980 trans am, all original, paint,interior,and even has the original exhaust for it.
I agree with Canada Jeff that a cut sping will drasticly alter your front suspension geometry causing irratic handling, ride and steering. Dropped spindles are definitely the way to go for those reasons and safety. If you need to tweak it after that you are not in the danger zone. Here is a link after a quick look on eBay. $225.00
Some places like Speedway Motors (and others) sell front end kits that will switch you over to a dropped spindle and front disc brakes. If you intend on driving that beast, that's probably money well spent.
My personal plan is to go with something like this, as well as the air bags. I'd like to lay it right out when parked, but still drive it at a low ride hight with good handling and modern brakes. I better go buy a lottery ticket.
i ended up just cutting them for now, the budget wont allow me to do anything right now, maybe at the end of the summer. Ive seen it done this way, and i need new springs anyways so i figured i would cut them and see how i like it lowered, then when i can, i will get the droped spindles or airbags.
Just remember to drive a little slower, You'll really notice how the roads feel. And be real careful when entering driveways or parking lots, I remember when I first cut mine, the first dip in the road ripped the tailpipe off...LOL Thankfully, the rest of the exhaust is tucked high enough it didn't get damaged.
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1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
i just cut the coils all around but i havent put the new shocks in yet or driven it, i'll let you know if i can soon (just got my engine together tonight)
I cut a coil and a half off both the front and back on my wagon. It does ride ok, but you haveta watch the bumps.....LOW'N'SLO, THE WAY TO GO!!!!
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1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
hey sixtywagon, what shocks did you use after cutting the coils? I would think the impala stuff will work, its all a chevy underneath.
I can try and dig up the receipt for them, but basically I did a lot of measuring. Since I worked at Newfy Speed'N'Sport,(Canadian Tire) I just checked the different lengths of GM shocks, til I found the ones closest to the measurments I had.
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1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
thanks Sixtywagon, i was thinking along the same lines. I still havent driven the thing yet with it lowered, no shocks in the front, might be a scary ride!
...yeah, we went bags but it was expensive. I agree not to cut coils as you are screwing with something that was factory-made the "length and strength" it was for a reason, even though it may have lost some of its tensile strength over the years. We knew our springs and shocks were toast when we bought our car and our plan was for bags right off the top, mostly for adjustability reasons. I must say that the bags with the new shocks (repositioned to work off the control arms on the front - kit includes all the hardware..)) have made a world of difference to the ride quality of the car. And if you ever decide to go bags, don't scrimp on bag quality. We went with top-of-the-line Firestone bags on the advice of my speed-shop-owner buddy who did the installation. We're still having problems with air line leakage though. It will go back in in the spring to get that fixed..super height adjustability though via a remote control...also think we'll add a tank...feel free to ask me if you have any other bag questions..
thanks 64, i just found a place in T.O. that i can get a whole kit from for about $1600. now i just have to save some pennies and beg with the wife!!LOL
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod