Looking to lower my 1st gen 2wd to use in a rat rod (frame will be modified to fit in 46ford)... was wondering if a 85 firebird front end would hold up the engine, brakes etc??

 

I would not use a 3rdgen F-body clip for anything. The earlier stuff was more robust.

Better to stay with the Dodge parts lego.... 5x4.5, 5x5.5, and 8x6.5 can all be done.

Good thread on lowering here:
How to lower the front of your 1972-1993 Dodge Pickup - DodgeTalk : Dodge Car Forums, Dodge Truck Forums and Ram Forums

 

Hi and pardon my ignorance not to sure what you mean by 5x4.5, 5x5.5, and 8x6.5. My truck is really low already and I want to be able to mount the diesel in it, or change the cab and box to the diesel. I have attached a few pics of what I am looking at.

 

Ohhhhh... you already have a built rat-rod

I was referring to wheel bolt patterns... usually people are chasing down ways to get a 5-lug patterns and huge disc brakes on their hotrods.

In your case, I'd use the Dodge chassis and lower it. Stick the 46 Ford body on it. Most of the lowering info in the link I posted applies, except the cummins trucks already have the control arms with the deeper bucket in them. Cutting a loop off the coil spring may be an option.