Droping Question

[71Longbed]

Im Looking At Droping my truck in the front and rear ive decided on 4 in the rear but im unsure if you have to have drop spindles in the front or you can just buy the lowering springs in the front any help is appreciated

[silvertonguedevil]

Just depends on how far you want to go in the front. You can go with just springs or just spindles or both, depending on how far you want to go.

[woodman13]

I dropped several 67-72 SWB and LWB trucks and I have used several methods. A 71 LWB I used 2" drop spindles and 1" drop coils on front with new shocks and 4" rear coils and new shocks(don't remember the name of the parts, but all came from Godfather Customs). It had a nice ride and looked sweet. I then dropped a 69 SWB with 3" front springs and 5" rear springs with new shocks frt and rear. It also has a nice ride and was cheaper to do. Neither truck wears tires more than the other or has went thru any abnormal parts changes like ball joints or tie rods. My next truck(71 Sub) I want lower, 5-6" in the front, so I will use air bags.

[71Longbed]

thanx guys i was thing along the lines of 2-3 in front and 4 in back

[67ChevyRedneck]

I would personally use the drop spindles. They drop the suspension perpendicularly. Drop coils change the suspension geometry slightly, which I'm sure an alignment shop could compensate for. IMO I'd use spindles. You didn't mention the year of your truck but I'm guessing 71, if not, now would be a perfect time to use spindles to convert to disk brakes. Spindles are a little more pricey, it's up to you, but I think they make 2 1/2 drop spindles now. A 2 1/2 front and 4" rear drop would look good. JMHO. Good luck.

[71Longbed]

yeah i was just readin up on that is the traction bar on the rear end really need replacing if you lower the rear? yes my truck is a 71 Cheyenne

[sactoC10]

It is a simple thing to do, from one 71 longbed owner to another...

[Jimbotronics]

Another 71 cheyenne owner here, I just dropped mine 3 in the front and 4 in the rear using springs. Following the advise of another board member I used two jacks (one to jack up the truck the other to lower the control arm), removed the two ubolts holding the control arm and slowly lowered the control arm until the spring safely dropped out. Alignment was fine. I didn't even have to remove the front tires. Although, I plan on changing the rear to 5" or adding a 1" lowering block so that'll it set level. Good luck. Jim

[71Longbed]

looks great jim so you had no problem with the agles or anything ?

[5150]

Don't mean to steal the thread, but I was told by Jeff at Classic Performance that since I have 4 inch drop springs in the rear, but since I want 6 inches I could use 2 inch blocks, andybody? Bueller

[Jimbotronics]

71Longbed - I really can't believe the difference it made in handling, I bought a sway bar from Bamm and was in a hurry to get it on but now I'll put it on when I get around to it. Once I get new tires and rims I'll still mostly likely get an alignment but in no way in a hurry because I can't tell any difference.

Yellow69 - Same here, I plan going 1" lower in the rear and was told by a performance dealer to use a 1" block.

Although, I do have one issue but don't think it is a lowering issue. When my truck is in gear with the brake applied I can hear almost a slight grinding noise (doesn't do it when it's in park or neutral). I just had the tranny rebuilt so I was gonna take it back to the guy and let him look at it. Has anyone had this issue when lowering?

[67ChevyRedneck]

When y'all are lowering your trucks, are you using a kit that compensates for the rear pinion angle? I've seen the kit, it's a simple triangle block that fits between the rear end and the trailing arms. Jimbotronics, look under your truck to see how much clearance you have between the driveshaft and the trailing arm crossmemeber that the driveshaft goes through. It's possible it is clearing it when sitting, but suspension travel as your going down the road may cause it to hit the top of that crossmember. Check your driveshaft for a new silver ring around it (scuff marks from hitting x-member) Might be your noise.

[Jimbotronics]

I'll check it tonight when I get home. I know noise is hard to pin point but from sitting in the seat it sounded to be coming from the tranny dust plate cover area.

[Tx Firefighter]

Yellow 69, yes you can use a 2 inch block with your 4 inch spring to get a 6 inch drop. That picture of the lowering block I've posted so many times is on a truck with exactly that. He had it dropped 4 inches and I built the lowering blocks to get it down the last 2 inches. The picture should be easy to find.

No problems with doing it that way.

[5150]

Txfirefighter, Do you mind posting that pic for me or just tell me where it's at. Where can I get the 2 inch blocks.

thanks,

[jgmc]

go to early classic's website they have lots of stance photos and sell quality parts that fit. Good luck

[Tx Firefighter]

Yellow 69, here's the picture.

I made them out of rectangular tubing and just boxed the ends. I bought the u-bolts at a local truck spring shop for under 30 bucks.

I just carried a stock u-bolt in there and told them to make me a set 2 inches taller.

The truck in this picture is a 72 with 4 inch drop spring and 2 inch block with Early Classic shocks and adjustable track bar.

[5150]

Do you think these will work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33586