lowered rear how far are you guys off the bump stops?

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

OK I made my first attempt at lowering the rear of my 55 nomad this weekend. I installed eaton 6 leaf 2 inch drop springs rated at 177 in/lb. I am a bit confused because I had read that a stock height trifive should have 5.75 inches between the top of the axle and the bottom of the frame rail. My nomad had 9.5 inches before I lowerd it and now it has 7.5 inches. I have 5 inches between the factory bump stop and the bottom of the frame. How far are you guys off the frame? I want to go down 2 to 3 more inches. I can play with removing leafs but I am considering installing blocks.
Thanks
Rocky

[JT56]

My car was 6 3/4 " from the top of the axle to the bottom on the frame. Its now 4".

[chevynut]

Mine is 3.75" from the frame with a 3.5" diameter halfshaft sitting level.

The stock height for a 55 would be 5.725" from the top of the stock 3" axle housing to the bottom of the frame at curb weight, and 3.625" at design load. It's in the assembly manual Section 3 sheet 5.

http://www.55-57chevys.com/tech/55/3-5.gif

This is why when people say their car is "lowered 3" I don't believe it without this measurement. Same with the front. "Dropped springs" can end up all over the place.

Do you have all the weight of the car simulated somehow? Without all the weight on the springs, you won't be able to tell where it's going to sit when finished.

[Maddog]

Is the wagon fully assembled? Sounds like your rear would be sticking up in the air at those measurements. Do not remove leafs, not a good thing to do. Blocks OK but no more then a 2" block, anymore and it can make taking a tire on and off very difficult. Are the shackles installed correctly?

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

The nomad is fully assemblied minus engine and trans, plywood rear deck, and tank of gas. None of which will make a big difference in the rear height. Changing tires is not going to be an issue on a nomad. Here is a comparsion of the leafs I took out and what I installed. Picture of car is after it is lowered. 2 inch blocks will put me about 5 inches from the frame to the top of the axle. I'm planning on running a 28.4 inch tall tire so the car will be going up another 1.2 inches from ground than shown with the 26 dia tire I have installed. I will gain some drop from engine but not much. My 200 lb buddy stood on the back bumper and it only went down 1/2 inch at the wheel opening.

L=http://s282.photobucket.com/user/rockytoppers1/media/IMG_9857.jpg.html][/URL]

[chevynut]

It's strange that the car sat so high with the stock springs when it should be at 5.72" with them installed. The new leaf springs have the same 177 lb/in rate as the stock 6-leaf wagon springs, but with that 2" drop built in. It should be sitting at 3.725" now with the new springs imo. I think I would be trying to understand why it's so high before making changes, or you could end up way too low. Try loosening the shackle nuts and front spring bolts to let the springs move freely and see if that helps.

I'd ditch the leaf springs and solid axle and go with an IRS and coilovers.

[chevynut]

Have you considered trying a stock sedan/HT 5-leaf spring? There are two spring rates that were used for them. The stiffer one is 144 lb/in.

[Maddog]

I don't see the rear seat. I think not having the car complete is definitely allowing it to sit high. You'll be surprised how much those things add up in weight, carpet, plywood, seats,tank, even trans.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

We loosened the rear shakles last night and jumped up and down but no change. I will loosen the front and rear tonight and see what happens. I'm not sure the springs I removed were stock I had assumed they were lift springs from the axle meassurements I took before hand compared to the infor in the factory manual. Maybe I should check with Eaton to assure they sent the right springs.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Ok I just spoke with Eaton. Sounds like the problem is I need to force the shackles in the back position with weight off of car and then hold it there while someone lowers the weight back on the car. Its apparently a common issue they get calls about.

Rocky