Lowering datsun 720... i am stumped. Please Help!

[Bubbas Garage]

Hello everyone, got a quick question. I have a 1984 Datsun/Nissan 720 pickup. I lowered the front by cranking down the torsion bars. And i got ready to do the rear end. Got the u bolts all taken out, and jacked up the rear end. But, instead of the rear end and the leafs seperating... they went together. Then i notice that there is a bolt coming down from the rear end going through all 3 leafs. So, i loosend the nut and they are now sepereated.. But the bolt comeing down from the rear end makes me not able to put in the blocks? So what should i do? Can i still lower it? Do i have to do it a different way? I am stumped.. Any help would be appreciated. thanks!
Jordan

[AZhitman]

quick-way-to-lower-a-nissan-datsun-pickup-t406018.html

[Bubbas Garage]

" IV. Jack the axle back up as to separate the axle from the leaf springs. "

Like i stated, when i jack up the rear end, the leafs come witht it. There is a bolt coming out of the axle going through the 3 leafs, when i undo the nut the leafs sepereate but then the bolt is in the way, so i cant slide my blocks in. :/

[lambohaha]

If I`m not mistaken that bolt shouldn`t affect you dropping the axle housing. Put the nut back on the bolt then jack the axle housing back up. You may have use a pry bar of some description to separate the axle housing from the factory block and shock mount. The lowering block should have a hole in it to compensate for that nut/bolt. Its been awhile since I`ve did this. Last time I did this was on my `84, the one in my avatar pic and that was in `84 lol.

[Rev_D21]

Sounds like the centering bolt is stuck inside the axle perch and needs some persuasion to come out. That or you are trying to lower a 4wd which won't work. Try spraying the perch down with some PB blaster then use a mallet to loosen things up. With your truck being an 84 there has been plenty of time for the center bolt and the axle to become friends. There is no reason to loosen the centering bolt, it only sits inside a hole on the bottom of the spring perch.

[lambohaha]

Sounds like the centering bolt is stuck inside the axle perch and needs some persuasion to come out. That or you are trying to lower a 4wd which won't work. Try spraying the perch down with some PB blaster then use a mallet to loosen things up. With your truck being an 84 there has been plenty of time for the center bolt and the axle to become friends. There is no reason to loosen the centering bolt, it only sits inside a hole on the bottom of the spring perch.

Thats what I thought. Now, when that baby does decide to break free make sure you ain`t under it lol.

[Bubbas Garage]

Well, i got it!! Before i even read your posts! But i really appreciate it guys! Will upload pics if you would like?

[fastboatman29212]

WE WANT PIX! NO . . . . Wait . . . . RATHER, WE DEMAND PIX.
That is, only if you want to.

[Bubbas Garage]

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3921266/1 ... 720/page-1
Click on the pics to make them bigger!

[lambohaha]

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3921266/1 ... 720/page-1
Click on the pics to make them bigger!

Thats what I`m screaming about. Reminds me of when I dropped my `84, the one in my avatar. I truly miss that little truck.

[Bubbas Garage]

Going lower this weekend. gonna remove middle leaf, and crank torsion bars the rest.

[PEZi]

i'd highly recommend not removing the middle leaf as your ride quality will be a joke... get larger blocks or do a re-arch on them

[Bubbas Garage]

This will be a cheap job.... so can how else could i make it lower??

[PEZi]

Larger blocks for one... blocks are cheap and come in a variety of sizes. The re-arch is a little more pricey because it will involve getting new shocks as well. I just suggest not removing the leaf because it drastically f*** up your spring rates in the rear, and it becomes a low rider incapable of doing absolutely anything a normal ride could. Handling will suck, can't put anything really in the bed... etc.

[Rev_D21]

How you lower it will be determined by how low you want to go. 2-3" I'd say blocks, spindles and bars will work. More than that you will be getting into fabbing suspension and frame work. I have never been into the lowrider scene, I respect the work that goes into it just not the style. So many people drop em, paint them flat black, run a set of Esclade wheels and put a few skull stickers on there to prove their badassness and done! Yawn. The drift trucks are cool and coming a long way in what was an unheard of thing a few years ago but what I really enjoy is Autocrossing trucks and those suspensions. So you have to ask yourself what kind of drop you want. Show? Sporty performance? Drift? Heavy hauling? Those will tell you which way you need to go.

[1986datsun720]

my 720 has 3-4'' drop blocks and looking for a change to a more sporty performance, would you have any suggestions?

[PEZi]

Depends on how sporty you're looking to go. A re-arch with some stiffer springs and poly bushings will do some good, but it's limited. The next step is custom parts... pricey, but fun.

[1986datsun720]

i just took a look at the bushings and some really do need to be replaced, i might as well do all. what do you mean by limited? if by parts i look through ebay to find what i need. really dont know where else to look bc everything needs to be shipped over from where i live which is a down fall but im willing to invest in my 720.