Looking for Suggestions

[Chiefmike]

Hello guys...I need a little help. I'm doing a frame-off mod on a 67 SWB. My issue is that I'm kind of old school and I want a profile that includes just a little lowering, but leaves a little rake. I'm more the type who looks to use 15" wheels, MT Slots or Cragar SS type wheels. I'm not interested in bagging the truck. I would like to lower the front a minimum of 2.5" so I can use drop spindles to keep my geometry pure. What would you expect to drop the rear to keep a little rake in the profile?

Thanks

[CC69Rat]

First - Welcome to the board

Stepside or Fleetside?

To me (for what that's worth) I would also factor in what size tire you plan to run. For example if you have a 29" tall tire in the rear and a 26" tall tire up front that will will also play a part in how the 'rake' looks when you lower it in the rear. (vs. say 28" rear, 27" front)

Are you more of a 275/60 guy or 255/70 ?

Here is a 68 stepper my Pop and I built a few years back. This is a 3"/5" drop with 235/70 and 255/70

[Fldawg]

here is mine with 255/70's all around with 2 1/2" and 4 " drop rides smooth

[Chiefmike]

Thanks for the welcome and suggestions. My 67 is a short box fleetside. I'm probably more likely to go the 275/60 route with tires. Both of those beauties look great, but I'd lean toward the 2.5"/4" on the green one. I might want a little more rake, so maybe 3" on the rear?

[CC69Rat]

275/60 = 27.99" tall (might as well say 28") 10.82" wide

255/70 = 29.05" tall 10.03" wide

It really just depends on where you want the truck to sit in relation to the tire height. Remember, the true height will be from the hub center down or up to the fender. (28" tire will put your tire at 14" off the center line of the hub to the fender lip, then 14" from the center line to the ground)

You dont really want to use your current ground-to-fender lip measurements unless you have 28" tall tires. .. (of course)

[Elliot949]

Yeah I agree... with what you are talking about I would say a 2.5" spindle and 4" rear spring should get you the look you are talking about...

[Tom Vogel]

Call ECE, they can tell you exactly what you need. No guessing.

[Chiefmike]

Great advice from all. Thanks!

[CC69Rat]

Idea -- What if you did a 3" spring and a 1" block (if needed?) You said you're looking for a little rake, and with a 3" spring you wouldn't be as 'committed' as a 4" spring. You could do 3" spring and a .5" block even .. that would give you the option of making it 100% perfect to your liking.

A lot of guys will run say a 4" spring and 2" block to get .. say a 6" total drop to help the truck have more spring travel. It will ride better because youre not taking all the spring out of it and simply more there to do what it's supposed to do. The drop is still the same.. I think you get the idea. With a 4" drop you might want to consider rear shock relocation brackets too. It wouldn't be mandatory but it would help the ride. The ECE guys could tell you for sure.

[Chiefmike]

I like that idea (3" spring plus 1" block). It's a smart way to dial in just the look I want and salvage as much ride comfort as possible. I'll call ECE and discuss it. I was definitely considering the shock relocation. Thanks again!

[chopnchaneled]

Chief, The truck in my avatar is a 4.5 front and 5 in the rear with 225x70 fronts and 255x70 rear with 8.5 rims.

[Chiefmike]

Very nice truck!