lowering my 1951

ok so I have a 51 pickup and I was just woundering how I would go about lowering it in the rear. I have a 3" lowering block, and I have taken out 2 leafs (there was 8 leafs) and taking the two leafs out only lowered it 1" so not much. the rear frame sits about 19 1/2" off the ground. I know its not the smartest thing to do but can I just cut the front coils to lower it, or is there a nice but cheap way to lower the front?? oh and I have a mid 70's camaro clip on it.

I would like to hear what you have done and how I would go about this.
I am still restoring it so I don't want to drop a lot of money into the ride right now so ya.

Thank you
Nic  

If you have 3" of block minus 2 leafs, you are probably near bottoming on the frame already.  The next step is c-notch & box the frame.

Don't cut/heat the coils.  It won't handle, or drive correctly, and will probably eat tires.  Do it right. Buy drop spindles, or lower control arms.
If you half-@$$ it now, you will regret it later.

Unless I missed my guess, you are probably getting dangerously close to the scrub line, too.  
**********
1949 Chevy 1 1/2ton, home-built hydraulic wrecker.  Rustoleum industrial black, with flames.  Flamethrowers out 5" dual stacks.
1962 Chevy C-20, 402BB, 4-speed, 3.90 positrack. Hauls my camper.... among other things.
Kaiser M35A Deuce, 4x4 4 wheel steering *work in progress*

PackRatWrecker would installing a 4-link be another way to safely lower the truck?  

On the cheap, half a coil cut isn't that detremental , but only gets you about an inch lower.  You'd want to grind the cut part to seat flat into it's spring tower.Then there's simply lower profile tires.
Some have found that 4 or 6 cyl springs work out to lower a v-8, cut a coil here and you still retain soft ride. Yes they are rated different.
Heating IS a bad idea. It may either break latter, or it will sit crooked.
Dropped spindles will give you  maybe 2", then there's lowered 'A' arms, or bagging the suspention, all in all you'll spend a lot for every inch this way !
FYI 'magazine low' generally yer looking at trailer queens and baggers.  

For the front I would go with drop spindles, very common and like what ebb said you can get down 2". Be safe out there nichevy51.  

The November issue of Classic trucks has a mono leaf lowering system for the 55-59 trucks. Don't know if Performance Online offers one for the the 51.Since I havent been under a 51, someone can slap me if I am offbase here. Also on P.64 CPP has made a MSII 6 Lug Brake kit.   Yahooooooo!!!

Tom S.  
T Sabo
57 3100 Big Window Chevy

Great article, I should have it up on the site soon. I will post the url when it's up.  

How much lower do you want it.
here is how my truck sits
In the front I used drop spindles from Heidts and also got new springs from Advanced. I ordered them for a '77 trans-am....they are much shorter then stock but stiffer.
In the rear I used 3" blocks and took out the lower 2 springs....sits about as low as I would want and still drives safe and comfy. Much lower you might want to think of bags. But the are cheap and bumpy.
This might be a dumb question but I have seen it.....you do have the rear over your springs?
Also with the camaro clip you will be limited on the wheels you can run up front if it is low or you will need to narrow the  A arms
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/  

That article I mentioned earlier is up and here is the link to check it out. http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/0911clt_1955_1959_chevy_truck_mono_leaf_lowering_upgrade/index.html