Flipped spring lowering

Includes shock absorbers, springs and steering linkages.

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Trev
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Trev »

http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... 24&t=15983

Next topic down from this one, by Scotty.
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Beerhands
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Beerhands »

Hey trev,

What springs do you have to get the front that low? Also what shocks are you using? do the different shocks make a difference?

Alec
Trev
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Trev »

I had stock HG V8 springs and cut 1 coil off at a time till I was happy.

Not sure of the shockers sorry, nothing special.
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Devilrod
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Devilrod »

I just run off the shelf heavy duty gas shocks. Bit firmer but handles well without the need for a rear sway bar.
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Bluehaze »

Just did my FB sedan using Trevor's flipping method. Took two inches out of the back. Originally, the front only was lowered, (The look from the 80's). Always thought the downhill rake looked a bit naff, even back then, let alone now, and on my car. Now the tip of the fin is almost exactly the same height as the tip of the headlight eyebrow. (900mm). A spirit level along the sill bottom has the bubble inside the lines.
My springs were a bit different to Trev's, being a sedan. I only have four leaves. and the second-bottom has the metal straps surrounding the larger two above. The bottom one was removed and placed inverted at the top. All done in-situ, just the diff housing jacked up out of the way.
Much happier, but I'm afraid I won't be getting the downhill fuel economy anymore :crazy:
wot179
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by wot179 »

A rake can save you petrol coz you are always rolling down hill. :lol:
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Devilrod
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Devilrod »

Did you get a pic Dick? Would look much better stance wise. Guess you'll have to do some more tuning on the fool injection to make up for no longer running downhill..... :mrgreen:
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Trev »

Saw the pics you sent me Dick, looks heaps better. :thumbsup:
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Bluehaze
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Post by Bluehaze »

Much happier with the look. Haven't driven it yet, but it feels different just sitting in it. Backed it out for a photo last night, then the clods rolled in and we get that big storm. (Close call, nearly got her wet!). Excuse the spare wheel, and the lack of a before pic. Those who are familiar with the way it looked before will spot the difference. It's funny how we're doing the very same dad jokes as our own dads did (downhill-save fuel), you'd think we can come up with some new material!
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wot179
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by wot179 »

Looks good. :thumbsup:

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Devilrod
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Devilrod »

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: that looks much better! Got a bit crazy last night weather wise.
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mph
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by mph »

Gday,
My springs had quite a arch in them still almost ready to tow a old caravan around and now that ive done a spring flip on the fb and flipping the 3rd spring and placing it on top the top spring now sits like a S horizontal im wondering if this will cause weak spots or pressure on the leafs and lead to them snapping in which it would look cool that low im not keen on having them break. Or should the flatten out after some driving ,any ideas or experience. if it becomes a issue i might have to return them to std and have them reset lower?
The pic shows the wheels of the ground with the weight of the car the springs sit flat besides the top which is still S bent

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Errol62
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Errol62 »

Yeahnah that looks dodgy. I'm all for the back yard approach when it is mechanically sound. This method may be ok in a less extreme form but what you are doing is creating opposing tensions which are bound to advance fatigue leading to premature failure. Getting leaf springs reset is not dear and is the way to go.
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ekstevo
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by ekstevo »

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I think you've $*#@ your springs tell me your not going to be driving with that. I don't like the whole idea of flipping a spring over to lower the car personally the 1 car I rode in that had that done was a pos to ride in I thought. The car is to drive not look at.
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Errol62
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Re: Flipped spring lowering

Post by Errol62 »

I'm sure the springs will be ok when re-assembled. You could try swapping the next leaf and see how that goes.

Those u-bolts look like they could accomodate some 3" lowering blocks lol.

Seriously though I would talk to Someone like industrial springs and get the stockies reset 2 to 3" lower if that is what you want. They are pretty reasonable in my experience.

All the best with it.
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