Lowering blocks

I've decided to produce for sale some sets of lowering blocks like those used on both of my pickups. From all the methods I've seen out there, I think the ones on my trucks are the safest and cleanest looking to do the job right. These would be used to put the front axle over the springs. This method is way cheaper than a drop axle and pretty easy to do.
Stock U bolts are grade 5 and 7/16". I plan on using Grade 8 and 9/16" U bolts due to the extra added load on the U bolts with the axle under the springs. I'm still gather all my info and checking material costs but I'm fairly certain this will be happening soon. My fab guy is ready to rock on this as soon as we verify some info on stress,load,shear,etc. Stay tuned for further info and all input welcome.

Sounds great Tim. I'm interested.

cool

My fab guy finished the lowering kits up today and I sold all 5 sets in one day. I'll have him make up some more next week after I get done dealing with Autorama. The kits sell for $199.00 complete with new grade 8 U bolts, washers, and nuts.

could you post a picture of the kit ? Do you have to do anything to the axle or is this a complete bolt on? Thanks.

Would love to see a pic and install instructions?

Only thing needed is to ream out the existing axle holes for the larger grade 8 U bolts. The rest is bolt on. I will get some instructions made up to go along with it. Sockets,a drill,a grinder, pretty much all that's needed. I'll have to get some pics.

Can you post a couple of pictures of your truck with the blocks installed, so we can see what the finished product will look like?

I'm very interested in this too !

There are pics of the blocks installed on my truck on my facebook page. (Tim Brogan) I'm waiting for a friends king pins to get replaced then we are gonna do some pics in better detail when we install the kit on his truck. Pics are on my phone and a bit difficult for me to transfer here.

Posting pix for Tim:

Bracket installed in my Truck:





Axle in bracket on top of spring:



Side view of axle section:



Spring bolt I replace with larger head grade 8 for better locking to bracket



Taper in axle bracket locks into, no side to side movement

Keep in mind no engine, so will be lower with engine installed



Also lowered in rear







Same blocks are on my blue pickup. Want to point out U bolts shown on my primer truck are stock size and will be changed to larger. Blocks are identical

Thx Terry, the pic of the blocks shown on my primer truck are just a temporary mock up. The axle will be removed, holes drilled bigger and larger head/length grade 8 spring bolt and U bolts installed due to the extra weight load they carry when you put the axle on top of the springs, basically hanging the springs and vehicle weight under the axle.

Hey Tim, if I can get this 1967 E-van I am trying for, I will be interested in a set of blocks.  My question becomes, how much drop do these provide, and what do you use for shocks?  Will the stock shocks bottom out on a good dip?

You should bring a van down to Cars and Coffee at Fuel across the river on Rt. 52 in the East End!  I see well built VW vans/trucks, but we need some domestic offerings!

Man Ive been planning the same tail lamp treatment on my van for a while! Great minds think alike 

So when's Cars and Coffee? The block drops it roughly 4 inches depending on how many leafs you have on your springs. More leafs, more drop.

the block is a 4" 'Pedistal' to raise the axle up above the springs? These are for the fronts only correct?

Man, it's all new to me. So I use your blocks up front, axle over the springs, and then what is typical for the rear? Put the axle on top as well? I need to read up I guess...

Cars and coffee is every Saturday morning, 8-12. Rain or shine. And the best weather makes it jam packed. This will be the first slow CnC in weeks because of weather.

Did you get the message about parts?

[quote="Vintage Metal"]the block is a 4" 'Pedistal' to raise the axle up above the springs? These are for the fronts only correct?[/quote

Almost correct. Yes for front only. No it isn't a 4" block but it does accomplish around a 4" drop when you use it with axle over springs.

What is everyone doing for the rear? are they cutting off the perch and flipping it on the axle tubes?

Vintage Metal wrote:What is everyone doing for the rear? are they cutting off the perch and flipping it on the axle tubes?

Not that simple. The housing will hit the frame unless you notch it or get some really high arch springs which defeats the purpose of flipping it in the first place. You can remove a leaf or dearch the springs too.

hi i was wondering if you had one of your front axle block kits available please let me know tony 843 229 8813 south carolina

I am still wondering if, when lowering, shock travel comes into play. In my experience with another make of car, we have to go to a different shock because of lost travel. If you can visualize a shock piston riding in the middle of its travel, and you lower the vehicle 2", you are now 2" closer to the bottom of the travel. Generally, stiffer springs will compensate and prevent bottoming, but then the springs can out class the dampening of the shocks, rendering a bouncy ride on the road. So that leads to a 'sport' shock with more aggressive dampening/valving and no internal bump stops, to make up for lost travel.. But I am guessing an HD shock for the vans, which will have more aggressive valving, will not make up for lost travel by having deleted a bump stop, or even a shorter piston.

Maybe move the top mounting point of the shock, or maybe it's not even an issue.

NEED INPUT!

I'm not sure what my shocks are since I didn't install them. Mine seem fine. I know several others who have lowered their rides and have had varied reports from being fine to bottoms out on a real hard bump. I would think it's easy to overcome if it becomes an issue. Any time you alter the ride height there may be issues to deal with. There's no cookie cutter solution that works for everyone. Hopefully Herb Onash can chime in on this issue as he has a slammed van.

I doubt its hard to find a shorter OE shock with a two eye mounting system... just axin'. Because I'm buying your blocks one day.