Lowering Blocks (or JC modding 101)

[zhodak]

As we know, JC had a bit of bad luck on New Years Eve and hasn't been modding his car or any other since then. That is until tonight. Jc was kind enough to help in installing lowering blocks onto my ute. This isn't a "How To", but more like would you should consider if doing the same.

Now on a ute, the maximum block is 27mm otherwise it will foul on the rim if your rim is 9" wide. No prob, JC kindly cut the block back from 38mm to
27mm(ish).

Part 1 - After the right hand side was done, the extra lenght of the U-Bolt had to be shaved (see fig 1)

Fig 1

All good, rim went back, move to left side.

Part 2 - Lowering block in place and as before start to gring away extra unneeded steel (see Fig 2)

Fig 2


All looks OK (for now).

Now, while re-assembling the left side we discover that the inner bolt is a bit too short. No prob quick trip to bunnings. Bunnings have no U-Bolts.

This is where some lateral thinking comes in. How to secure the diff with a bolt that is too short? Easy (see fig 3)

Fig 3


And the result of fitting the modified bolt (see fig 4)

Fig 4


Nice temporary fix that allowed to get home and to go and buy a new bolt tomorrow to fix. BTW, I think the OH&S people would be crying if they saw the safety that is displayed.

[JC]

Hey - I had goggles on! And what model comes out with OH&S - i thought it was DOHC!

[TwistedEL]

Originally Posted by zhodak

BTW, I think the OH&S people would be crying if they saw the safety that is displayed.

You should never be under a car that is only suppoerted by a trolley jack!!!

I like all the PPE that is in use, well done

[TwistedEL]

Actually upon reinspection I take back the trolley jack comment.... my bad

[JC]

Originally Posted by TwistedEL

Actually upon reinspection I take back the trolley jack comment.... my bad

Yes - we learnt that lesson last time. The car was supported by a trolley jack under the diff, and a scissor jack under the chassis rail, and it still rolled off both! Hence the jackstands used this time round on a concrete floor (last time was on grass, but was unavoidable).

What's PPE? I'm thinking some sort of Engineering, but can't for the life of me work out the PP bit! I'm sitting here waiting to laugh though!

[TwistedEL]

No actually it's a real term it stands for Peronsal Protective Equipment

[TwistedEL]

Or pen1s pump extravagansa

[JC]

Originally Posted by TwistedEL

No actually it's a real term it stands for Peronsal Protective Equipment

Right - sarcasm! But I am laughing at the alternate PPE!!!

[qldwagons]

hi jc
just a quick question my au 2 wagon is sitting way to high what is the largest lowering block i can use need to come down about 2 -3 inchs are the lowering blocks specific to au or can u use ef el wagon blocks ?also my car is rumming on factory 16 inch alloys will these fowl them at all?

[JC]

Originally Posted by qldwagons

hi jc
just a quick question my au 2 wagon is sitting way to high what is the largest lowering block i can use need to come down about 2 -3 inchs are the lowering blocks specific to au or can u use ef el wagon blocks ?also my car is rumming on factory 16 inch alloys will these fowl them at all?

According to whiteline, you need at least 17" rims to get the clearance needed for the 38mm (1.5") lowering blocks, but we found that max width is also 8" with blocks. Zhodaks are now 27mm blocks to give around 8mm clearance between the bottom chock mount and the inside of the rim.

Also, you will find that the lowering blocks for most falcons with leaf springs are the same - the only difference would be the thivkness and lenth of the U bolts. Zhodaks modified lowering blocks were originally installed in my XE wagon, but with much shorter and thinner U bolts, so we bought longer, thicker ones from AutoPro (never mind that I cut on about 4mm too short!!!!).

You can get a 1" block as well, and that may fit with 16s, but best bet is to just upgrade to 18 * 8s anyway and then lower!

[rag top]

Where's the pic of the final product on the ground!!!

[GK]

Great to see JC fully back into it!

How did the AU folk of Canberra do without you the past few weeks? _2:

GK

[zhodak]

Originally Posted by rag top

Where's the pic of the final product on the ground!!!

I'll post a couple later today

[zhodak]

Here we go, the finished product

[JC]

Originally Posted by GK

Great to see JC fully back into it!

How did the AU folk of Canberra do without you the past few weeks? _2:

GK

Yep, I'm back, and I'm sure the locals were all cheering when I was out of action (no late night noises coming from the garage). The AU community just had to wait!

[justalfa]

Gday i am new to this site and i am planning on lowering my 05 BA XL ute with either 19"x7.5 or 19"x8.5 Wheels i havnt measured them but thats the sizes the wheels come it. i have bought kings super low springs for the front but havent fitted them yet and i was planning on putting lowering blocks in the rear all i wanted to know is it possible to put 3"(75mm) blocks in the rear and clear the 19" rims from the shock? also would it clear with a 16" standard steel rim? just incase i get a flat i dont wanna find out the spare dosnt fit. Heres a couple pics of the ute tell me what you sugest i do. cheers justin

[rag top]

get a quote on getting your existing leaf springs reset.

Then you get the height you want and the spare will fit.
3" lowering blocks and you will run into trouble with the spare.

[lownloud]

Just for the record for the wagon guys out there , I have a BF mk11 wagon with 2 inch lowering blocks. It will work with 17 and 18 inch rims without problems ( I have a Ghia 17 inch spare that fits). I'm assuming a Ute would be the same?