Hello, I have a 54 chevy truck 1/2 ton I pick up 2 weeks ago and I ordered a Mustang II from Jimenez Bros Customs. Tubular a-arms standard spindles. I was told the Mustang II would lower my front end about 4". I want to get the best ride possible so I was planning on ordering leaf springs. How many inch dropped should I order the leaf springs to make my truck level. I will have the same size tires front to back so I can rotate them every 5000 miles. I'm building a nice street rod and want it to get good gas mileage so I'm putting in a stock 350 with TBI with a 700r4 and 9" with 300 gears and I'm putting 20" rims with low profile tires so I want my truck perfectly level going down the road. Thanks Rico
54 truck Hey Rico Wellcome aboard. We love to see some before /after photos of your truck. Sounds like you have a good plan when customizing the truck ! Martinius.
Most Mustang 2 kits will put the spindle at the center of the frame at ride hight, measure the total hight of rim and tire, divide in half, then set center of frame at that hight on jack stands. now measure the distance to the floor at the front and rear of the running boards, this should give you a generall idea of how much rear drop you need.
You didn't state whether the front springs are the regular type spring or the coilover shock/spring set up. If coilovers they can be adjusted for ride height but if regular springs we like to have the truck completely finished and use for a short time to let the springs settle to their final ride height. Bumpy roads will hasten the process. By this time the new rears will also be settled and the final stance can then be set with the rears. Four inches plus the normal "tail up" factory stance will be cutting it close on the rear and getting close to needing a "C" notch. The 3.00 rear gear will give a final ratio of 2.10 which is almost as much as a stock 350 can handle, sure won't haul a load or pull a trailer. Hills or bucking a headwind might require running in straight drive but even then a 3.00 final is a very good road gear.
Well got my mustang II installed. Kinda of a pain in the arse. Lol once I got going things move right along. I have it put together but the tie rod ends are sticking out to far. Can I turn them in towards the rack to shorten them? Thanks
