Finally got it lowered

Discussion in 'General Station Wagon Discussions' started by jrwscout, Jun 14, 2012.

  1. jrwscout

    jrwscout New Member

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    june_2012_002.jpg
    Got the wagon lowered - took way longer and cost way more than planned (I'm sure that never happened to any of you!). I ended up taking it to Dave's Hot Rod Shop (www.daveshotrodshop.com) in Smithville, MO for the lowering and I'm glad I did. It ended up being a lot more work than anybody planned but they did a great job and it drives a whole lot better.

    I ordered new custom-made coil springs for a specified lowering amount (3") from Eckler's. They ended up being way to low (over 5" shorter) and couldn't be used. Had to get new coil springs made locally. Installed new custom-made leaf springs for a 3" drop in the rear which worked out but getting the old stuff off after 43 years was rough. All new bushings, shackles, shocks, ball joints, lower control arms and joints. New sway bar, bushings and links. Found bad brake hoses along the way; replaced them. Replaced front wheel bearings.

    Found the leak at the oil pan; unbolt engine and lift it up enough to remove and replace the pan. Exhaust pipes needed to be adjusted after the lowering and last but not least, get the whole thing aligned.

    I'm now working on a trick that Dewey Satellite showed me - I'm blacking out the door and window posts so it looks like one solid black window from front to rear. I'll post more pics when I'm finished.
     
  2. 1tireman

    1tireman Well-Known Member

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    Looks good :thumbs2:
     
  3. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

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    Well, scout....that wagon looks GREAT!(y) Really great. And the black out will be stellar!:yup: Looks just super, Nice job on a nice wagon!:thumbs2:
     
  4. fannie

    fannie Well-Known Member

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    Yeah there usually are few surprises along the way, but sounds like your doing it up right. Keep the info coming. (y)
     
  5. dennis

    dennis Well-Known Member

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    sittin just right & lookin good , love your improvements
     
  6. NY12020

    NY12020 New Member

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    Wow.. Nice

    Looking to eventually do a 2" drop on mine
     
  7. Olds Weighty Eight

    Olds Weighty Eight New Member

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    Looks awesome! Love your wheel choice. They'd look good on my OCC. :yup:
     
  8. 1964countrysedan

    1964countrysedan Well-Known Member

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    All that work and just one picture? come on
     
  9. Dewey Satellite

    Dewey Satellite New Member

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    Turned out great Scout! Can't wait to see some more pics and see how it looks after you try my little trick! Sorry it cost more and took longer than you had hoped.
     
  10. retropia

    retropia Well-Known Member

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    That looks sharp. How does that affect the ride and handling?
     
  11. jrwscout

    jrwscout New Member

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    More Lowering Pics - 1/2 done on window pillar blackout

    june_2012_002.jpg june_16_2012_wagon_after_lowering_002.jpg june_16_2012_wagon_after_lowering_003.jpg

    Some more pics - had to replace the fuel pump last night. $27 for pump and filter out the door; 3 hours labor in my garage, playing with my wagon - priceless. Taking it to the cruise night at the KC International Airport tonight, if it's not raining.

    One side has the blackout, the other not done yet - I am going back and forth (yes, do the blackout; no - proudly display those pillars!). I look at today's cars and they are almost all blacked out. People are putting fake chrome/stainless steel to make the pillars stand out - wanting an "old school" look. I'm potentially going the other way. what do you think? Yes, I've asked for opinions so I will not take offense to your response.....
     
  12. Dewey Satellite

    Dewey Satellite New Member

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    I love the black out on the B and C pillars man! But of course I'm a little parcial to that look.
     
  13. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

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    I don't like white cars, ordinarily...I love this car, scout!
    I like the black out. When you do the other side...I would like to see what it would look like to leave the B pillar white and black out just the C pillar. I would like to look at that....in my mind I'm thinking I would like that better but can't tell without seeing it that way. If you don't like it you can then just do the B pillar, too.
    Just a thought I had in my empty head.:D
     
  14. Dewey Satellite

    Dewey Satellite New Member

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    I like the contrast of the black against the white, the one long window trick fits yours to a T in my opinion.
     
  15. Hfab5

    Hfab5 New Member

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    I like it without the black-out...give's it more character and better lines. Look's good either way though.
     

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