project: 3/4 ton dropped

[budget78gmc]

WOW

[79 blue monster]

so i was wondering... should i convert my truck to 1/2 ton? i can get the whole front suspension for $75. ill leave my 3/4 ton leafs so i dont have to remount 1/2ton ones. i just figure ill never use the 3/4ton part and wheels are hard to find. so i want to convert it. what do you guys think?
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

i would have to sell my 3/4 ton drop spindles and buy 1/2 ton ones though.
Posted via Mobile Device

[lolife99]

Sell your spindles and convert.
But you can actually use ECE conversion spindles on your existing front end.
They use 3/4-ton balljoints and tie rods, but they allow the use of a 1/2-ton rotor and caliper.
No reaseon to swap anything but the spindle, caliper and rotor.

I'm sure you'll be able to sell your 3/4-ton drop spindles,...

Look here:
http://www.earlyclassic.com/tech.asp...e%20Big%20Ship

[notallthere]

I am biased as I like the 3/4 ton eight lug style. I know that I can get the 1/2 ton for cheap but I want to be unique for the trucks. I still plan on going lower the the 2/5 drop that I have.

[maxxxy]

Hey dude the truck is looking great! You have probably said it, but what is the paint code on that blue? Keep up the good work!

[nheller76]

Man I don't won't to be mean but man u are letting me down! I've got a 3/4 ton and your truck is an inspiration! I know its hard but keep up the faith man u can do it and it will be great when ya finish.
Posted via Mobile Device

[tinydb84]

Id keep it 3/4 ton. For the trouble and price to swap it you could get rims and tires. I have seen quite a few different types of 8 lug rims.
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

Originally Posted by maxxxy

Hey dude the truck is looking great! You have probably said it, but what is the paint code on that blue? Keep up the good work!

its a Subaru color. World rally blue pearl.

[79 blue monster]

im gonna leave it 3/4 ton. I just keep getting thoughts in my head....haha. my engine is at the machine shop now finally. I put the front end and part of the doors together, but I cant upload pics for some reason... any tips on restoring vent windows? cause there kicking my ass. also im in need of some parts. I need sierra classic hi option door panel parts, and ac brushed aluminum dash insert.

[nheller76]

Ok man I think I'm gathering cash for my drop! What drop spindles did u get and what kind of mods did u have to do? I herd the u have to use c30 spindles and then change rotor size?
Posted via Mobile Device

[cleansquare]

Hey what size tires did you put on your stock wheels after you initially dropped it? I wanna run the same drop and the same stock wheels with my hubcaps but my tires are too big
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

Originally Posted by nheller76

Ok man I think I'm gathering cash for my drop! What drop spindles did u get and what kind of mods did u have to do? I herd the u have to use c30 spindles and then change rotor size?
Posted via Mobile Device

i went to performance online and got everything i needed. i bought drop spindles($399) and i cut a half coil out of my front springs. my crossmember sits about 2-3 in off the ground. keep in mind i have a big block and a th400. its heavier than your motor. the back i bought weld on axle perches(mounts) and welded them parallel to my stock ones. then i put the axle on top on my leafs and fliped my u-bolts unside down and remounted it. i installed c-notches just in case i hit my frame. it you use these spindles you will not need to do anything with rotors. all the same components bolt up just like the original peices.

http://www.performanceonline.com/71-...e-2-half-inch/
Posted via Mobile Device

[cleansquare]

Originally Posted by 79 blue monster

i went to performance online and got everything i needed. i bought drop spindles($399) and i cut a half coil out of my front springs. my crossmember sits about 2-3 in off the ground. keep in mind i have a big block and a th400. its heavier than your motor. the back i bought weld on axle perches(mounts) and welded them parallel to my stock ones. then i put the axle on top on my leafs and fliped my u-bolts unside down and remounted it. i installed c-notches just in case i hit my frame. it you use these spindles you will not need to do anything with rotors. all the same components bolt up just like the original peices.

http://www.performanceonline.com/71-...e-2-half-inch/
Posted via Mobile Device

You cut a.coil or a coil and a half? Just to clarify. Also...in your archives do you have any pics from the side after the drop and shorter tires? Ive seen the pics in the thread
Posted via Mobile Device

[cleansquare]

Do you have a 2 piece drive shaft?
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

hey sorry i didnt get back to you yesterday, to answer your questions, i cut only a half coil out. not 1.5 coils. my tire size is 215/65r16. and yes i have a 2 piece driveshaft. feel free to ask any questions, im here to help i couldnt find any pics, but ill take one for you, if this site will allow me to post it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[nheller76]

So are u running 16's on the rear? I'm worried that they don't fit around the break drum?
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

yes they are 16's all the way around. no rubbing. the only thing i heard was that 15in rims wont fit on the front due to the caliper hitting. might be the same situation in the back.
Posted via Mobile Device

[cleansquare]

So you used 2.5 " drop spindles up front and cut half a coil anf that netted you how much drop again?
Posted via Mobile Device

[cleansquare]

And are the stock steel 8 lug wheels 16" or 16.5?
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

im not sure but from stock height with good year all terrains to my 215/65r16 and my spindles and coils it dropped 8 in. and 9in in the back. but the tires that were on it were pretty tall. my crossmember sits about 2-3in off the ground and my front suspension is just barley sitting on my bump stops.
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

my wheels are 16in but they are off a 90's chev. i dont know what the original size was
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

update: tranny was rebuild not to long ago! but i found out my 454 block has a crack.
Posted via Mobile Device

[nheller76]

O man! That SUCKS!!!!!! Guess its time to find a new one. U gona stick with 454 or 350? Everything is wide open now! I do know how that goes though. Sucky deal man.
Posted via Mobile Device

[79 blue monster]

im probibly gonna stick with the 454 but i found a caddy 500 for $700.
Posted via Mobile Device