Truck bottoming out - do I have options? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rcoman · 11-16-2016, 05:19 PM

I just installed 2 1/2" drop spindles and 2" lowering front coils for the front and 5" rear lowering coils and 2" drop blocks in the back. Installed all new shocks too. I did the disc brake conversion as well. All products were from McGaughys. The ride is great but it bottoms out in the front when dropping down off the curb off my driveway or when I go over a speed bump. I'm going rather slow in both instances but when I slow way down, it does not bottom out. I talked to McGaughys and they do not have a solution. This is my first lowered truck so maybe this is what I need to expect? I understand the ride isn't going to be as nice as a modern car but I was expecting something a little better. Does anyone have any solutions? Thanks everyone!

Willie Makeit · 11-16-2016, 05:20 PM

trim the bump stops in the front so that it only bottoms out prior to the tires touching the inner fenders.

Mike C · 11-16-2016, 06:32 PM

I didn't even trim the stops on mine and have zero issues in the front, but yours looks lower. Did you measure from center of hub to lowest part of fender before/after to see how much actual drop you got?

My truck is lowered 4 1/2" in the front and 7" in the rear, but yours looks lower. My front tires are 27" tall and don't disappear into the fender well. Rears are 29" tall but can't really compare a step and a fleet. What size wheel/tire do you have?

**lolife99** · 11-16-2016, 06:44 PM

Rear shock relocators help with good drop shocks.
Also an adjustable track bar is needed.
Post some suspension pics so we can see what else is going on.

Benny- · 11-16-2016, 09:34 PM

I trimmed my bump stops up front. It only bottoms out now with extremely hard bumps.

BB72CHEVKT · 11-17-2016, 12:09 PM

I had the same problem with a MCGaughy's kit on my 87 and have heard quite a few others have had the same problem. Their front springs are spongy. I went to a 3/4 ton spring with a coil cut. I am going to cut another 1/4 coil to get it a little lower in the front.

demian5 · 11-17-2016, 12:21 PM

You know, you did lower a truck that is old... and everything that implies

Did you:
Install c-notch? 7" in the rear should put the frame on the axle (or really close).
See if your lower ball joints were toast?
Control arm bushings wasted or loose? They are the non-rubber grease fitting screw-in type correct?

Hit the front tires with a sledge hammer and watch what makes the noise.

67ChevyRedneck · 11-17-2016, 01:06 PM

I used ECE 4.5/6 drop (2.5 spindles and 2" springs, same as yours) and have all stock bump stops up front, never once bottomed out and it's very hilly here and a lot of crappy roads. I had to cut the rear bump stops.

You also need to determine what's actually hitting... a arms hitting bump stops, tires hitting inner fender, etc. and go from there... OR are you talking about the frame/underside of the truck scraping things?

brad_man_72 · 11-29-2016, 01:47 AM

Stiffer shocks or springs.
Dropmember
Air ride

11-16-2016, 05:19 PM	#1
rcoman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 5	Truck bottoming out - do I have options? I just installed 2 1/2" drop spindles and 2" lowering front coils for the front and 5" rear lowering coils and 2" drop blocks in the back. Installed all new shocks too. I did the disc brake conversion as well. All products were from McGaughys. The ride is great but it bottoms out in the front when dropping down off the curb off my driveway or when I go over a speed bump. I'm going rather slow in both instances but when I slow way down, it does not bottom out. I talked to McGaughys and they do not have a solution. This is my first lowered truck so maybe this is what I need to expect? I understand the ride isn't going to be as nice as a modern car but I was expecting something a little better. Does anyone have any solutions? Thanks everyone! Attached Images

11-16-2016, 05:20 PM	#2
Willie Makeit Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,207	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? trim the bump stops in the front so that it only bottoms out prior to the tires touching the inner fenders.

11-16-2016, 06:32 PM	#3
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? I didn't even trim the stops on mine and have zero issues in the front, but yours looks lower. Did you measure from center of hub to lowest part of fender before/after to see how much actual drop you got? My truck is lowered 4 1/2" in the front and 7" in the rear, but yours looks lower. My front tires are 27" tall and don't disappear into the fender well. Rears are 29" tall but can't really compare a step and a fleet. What size wheel/tire do you have? __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

11-16-2016, 06:44 PM	#4
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,685	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? Rear shock relocators help with good drop shocks. Also an adjustable track bar is needed. Post some suspension pics so we can see what else is going on. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

11-16-2016, 09:34 PM	#5
Benny- Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ogden, UT Posts: 123	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? I trimmed my bump stops up front. It only bottoms out now with extremely hard bumps. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne, Daily Driver. SOLD 1978 GMC K15 High Sierra.

11-17-2016, 12:09 PM	#6
BB72CHEVKT Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hideaway, TX Posts: 4,948	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? I had the same problem with a MCGaughy's kit on my 87 and have heard quite a few others have had the same problem. Their front springs are spongy. I went to a 3/4 ton spring with a coil cut. I am going to cut another 1/4 coil to get it a little lower in the front. __________________ 71 Suburban 350/700R4 Project Trixie 72 CHEVY,Highlander,SWB,396,T400

11-17-2016, 12:21 PM	#7
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? You know, you did lower a truck that is old... and everything that implies Did you: Install c-notch? 7" in the rear should put the frame on the axle (or really close). See if your lower ball joints were toast? Control arm bushings wasted or loose? They are the non-rubber grease fitting screw-in type correct? Hit the front tires with a sledge hammer and watch what makes the noise. __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

11-17-2016, 01:06 PM	#8
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? I used ECE 4.5/6 drop (2.5 spindles and 2" springs, same as yours) and have all stock bump stops up front, never once bottomed out and it's very hilly here and a lot of crappy roads. I had to cut the rear bump stops. You also need to determine what's actually hitting... a arms hitting bump stops, tires hitting inner fender, etc. and go from there... OR are you talking about the frame/underside of the truck scraping things? Attached Images __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

11-29-2016, 01:47 AM	#9
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: Truck bottoming out - do I have options? Stiffer shocks or springs. Dropmember Air ride __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,



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