Dropping Front Suspension
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Dropping Front Suspension
I am looking for ideas and experience with how to drop the front suspension by 2 to 3 inches - more than achievable by altering torsion bar settings. Are there any modified pin and stubshaft spindles available? Has anyone modified stock parts to lower the car and still maintain sufficient suspension travel? Any help or advice will be appreciated.
- MarinaCoupe
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Re: Dropping Front Suspension
I managed to drop the front of my Ital Pickup by 2 inches (50mm) just by adjusting the torsion bar trimmers where they meet the chassis rail. No need for spline adjustment or any special parts, although as the Pickup didn’t have a front anti-roll bar, so I can’t say whether there would be any problem there.
Check your workshop manual for how to do it.
Check your workshop manual for how to do it.
Re: Dropping Front Suspension
You’ll easily get 2-3 inches by using the trimmers. If you want more then moving the bars a spline or two will also achieve it and more.


1974 Marina Tc Coupe - 1950CC
1982 Morris Ital HL Estate - 7600 miles from new
1992 Lada Niva Cossack - brilliant
2008 Ducati 1098R TB21 LE 200bhp/99lb/ft of a monster on two wheels. All from 1198cc
1998 Laverda 750 Formula-rare
1997 Ducati 916 Senna - Awesome
!974 Honda CD175-awaiting resto - now stripped
1982 Morris Ital HL Estate - 7600 miles from new
1992 Lada Niva Cossack - brilliant
2008 Ducati 1098R TB21 LE 200bhp/99lb/ft of a monster on two wheels. All from 1198cc
1998 Laverda 750 Formula-rare
1997 Ducati 916 Senna - Awesome
!974 Honda CD175-awaiting resto - now stripped
Re: Dropping Front Suspension
I'm not aware of anyone lowering a car by any other method than using the adjusters or moving the splines on the torsion bar. Important bits of car start getting unpleasantly close to the floor if you go much lower...
Matt
1974 1973 Tundra Black Tulip 1800 SDL TC Estate "Mud"- slowly slowly coming together.
1972 White 1800 DL Saloon- Better than it looks, but it looks awful...
1974 1973 Tundra Black Tulip 1800 SDL TC Estate "Mud"- slowly slowly coming together.
1972 White 1800 DL Saloon- Better than it looks, but it looks awful...
Re: Dropping Front Suspension
How did you drop the rear Chris?MarinaCoupe wrote: ↑Tue Apr 25, 2023 9:21 pm I managed to drop the front of my Ital Pickup by 2 inches (50mm) just by adjusting the torsion bar trimmers where they meet the chassis rail. No need for spline adjustment or any special parts, although as the Pickup didn’t have a front anti-roll bar, so I can’t say whether there would be any problem there.
Check your workshop manual for how to do it.
IMG_0678.jpeg
1974 marina pickup.
- MarinaCoupe
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Re: Dropping Front Suspension
Old school lowering blocks and longer U bolts.
Re: Dropping Front Suspension
Well, that's the way I'm going to go. Until I fabricate a cantilever coilober system.
1974 marina pickup.
- MarinaCoupe
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Re: Dropping Front Suspension
I have often wondered about grafting in the rear axle pickup points from a Triumph Dolomite onto the Marina floorpan and then using the 1850 Dolomite rear axle , which has four links, anti-roll bar and coil springs, but it retains a solid rear axle, essentially the same as a Marina, diff, halfshafts, bearings brakes.
You would need to fabricate top mounts for the coil springs.
You would need to fabricate top mounts for the coil springs.
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Re: Dropping Front Suspension
Have thought about cutting the floor section out of a Scrap Tr7 I have, to give a similar arangment. A lot of work. Same could be achived by fitting a Phannard Rod or Watts Linkage Fuel tank does sit close to rear axle though. I currently run MK1 Escort lowering blocks moified to fitthe Marina Springs with a pair of GaZ coil overs with very low poundage springs as assistors This with the Telescopic front Sherpa shock absorbers I use seem to work well
Dave
Dave