New user! ???s about lowering a '69 swb 350 truck? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ColinOpseth · 02-14-2002, 01:08 AM

Hey guys, nice website

I have a '69 shortbed that originally came with a 292 straight six. I am converting it to a '72 shortbed using a cab and powertrain from a '72 fleetside.

I have the '72 front suspension and want to convert it to disc while dropping it at the same time.

Here are my questions:

- How low should I go? I'm thinking of using the Western Chassis 2.5" lowering spindles for the front and a 4" dropped spring for the rear.
- Which spindle is better? Western Chassis or Early Classic?
- Will I have bottoming out problems with a 4"/5" drop if I decide to go lower later? The truck is never going to have a load in the back and is only driven on Southern California streets
- I am using the '72 crossmember. Will I have any geometry problems when using the dropped spindles? I've seen that guys get extra width when dropping with spindles??
- I'm going to get the PST suspension kit for my truck. Pretty good company?
- Should I get the spindles that have the newer-style balljoints in them or just go with a new spindle altogether? Will the newer spindle bolt up with no problems?

Thanks guys

My truck is pretty nice and I can't wait to get it rolling in the next few weeks

Thanks again,
Colin Opseth
Webmaster: www.GMPerformance.org

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Webmaster: www.GMPerformance.org

ColinOpseth · 02-14-2002, 01:14 AM

one more thing.. I'm going to be going with 16x8 wheels so I don't know if that'll make a huge difference or not.. 50 series rubber

paintpyro · 02-15-2002, 11:12 AM

Colin, welcome to the board. Glad to see another So Cal member. I would definitely call Early Classic, all they do are 60-72 trucks. Everyone on the board who has dealt with them say they have excellent support. Show some pix if you got em.

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70 shortbed stepside
350 w/TH400
a heap but its mine

low 84 · 02-15-2002, 03:08 PM

Just some input-
I've used early classic and western chasis spindles. both are of very good quality, but I do agree with paintpyro early classics are the experts on these specific year of trucks.

Also how low to go? Mainly your own preference. You can ask board members to post pics of their drops and just choose the stance you want. I personally like them slammened, but a 2.5/4 would look very good on your truck also.

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'84 1\2 ton swb, 350 5\7 drop
just sold '64 1\2 ton
4\4 drop with built 350 (my toy)

[This message has been edited by low 84 (edited February 15, 2002).]

Z16 · 02-15-2002, 09:13 PM

I've seen lots of radically lowered trucks cruising around So Cal. If I can drive one on the crappy roads up here in Canada, then it should be a breeze for you down there. PST has good parts, but I've heard their service isn't always great. Had good luck with them though.

70 Jimmy · 02-24-2002, 11:43 AM

www.earlyclassics.com, they have drop pics to give you an idea. Good Luck and POST PICS when your done!

Frank_Zeller · 02-25-2002, 06:31 PM

Don’t care for the Early Classics rear 6-inch drop springs. Spring rate to low for that much drop. Would be just right for 4 inch drop

THOR 50 · 02-27-2002, 12:03 PM

Try: http://www.earlyclassic.com/ some how the other link added an 'S' to the end of classic. or http://www.earlyclassic.com/stance2.html

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You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive. Roger
'69 C-10 with GMC front clip billet grill, 283CI, 400TH and 12bolt posiw/3.73 gears

Truckcrazy · 02-27-2002, 08:24 PM

Sound like we're in the same boat. I'm getting readt to da a 2.5/4 drop on my truck. There is a realy good suspension place called "PSC" performancesuspension.com and they have a great price on a complete front rebuild kit. Let me know how it turns out.

02-14-2002, 01:08 AM	#1
ColinOpseth Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 283	New user! ???s about lowering a '69 swb 350 truck? Hey guys, nice website I have a '69 shortbed that originally came with a 292 straight six. I am converting it to a '72 shortbed using a cab and powertrain from a '72 fleetside. I have the '72 front suspension and want to convert it to disc while dropping it at the same time. Here are my questions: - How low should I go? I'm thinking of using the Western Chassis 2.5" lowering spindles for the front and a 4" dropped spring for the rear. - Which spindle is better? Western Chassis or Early Classic? - Will I have bottoming out problems with a 4"/5" drop if I decide to go lower later? The truck is never going to have a load in the back and is only driven on Southern California streets - I am using the '72 crossmember. Will I have any geometry problems when using the dropped spindles? I've seen that guys get extra width when dropping with spindles?? - I'm going to get the PST suspension kit for my truck. Pretty good company? - Should I get the spindles that have the newer-style balljoints in them or just go with a new spindle altogether? Will the newer spindle bolt up with no problems? Thanks guys My truck is pretty nice and I can't wait to get it rolling in the next few weeks Thanks again, Colin Opseth Webmaster: www.GMPerformance.org ------------------ Webmaster: www.GMPerformance.org __________________ Webmaster: www.h-body.org

02-14-2002, 01:14 AM	#2
ColinOpseth Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 283	one more thing.. I'm going to be going with 16x8 wheels so I don't know if that'll make a huge difference or not.. 50 series rubber __________________ Webmaster: www.h-body.org

02-15-2002, 11:12 AM	#3
paintpyro Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA,USA Posts: 1,579	Colin, welcome to the board. Glad to see another So Cal member. I would definitely call Early Classic, all they do are 60-72 trucks. Everyone on the board who has dealt with them say they have excellent support. Show some pix if you got em. ------------------ 70 shortbed stepside 350 w/TH400 a heap but its mine __________________ 70 shortbed stepside "Schleprock" 350 w/TH400 rallys and BFGs -We can rebuild it, we have the technology-lower,shinier,faster

02-15-2002, 03:08 PM	#4
low 84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,144	Just some input- I've used early classic and western chasis spindles. both are of very good quality, but I do agree with paintpyro early classics are the experts on these specific year of trucks. Also how low to go? Mainly your own preference. You can ask board members to post pics of their drops and just choose the stance you want. I personally like them slammened, but a 2.5/4 would look very good on your truck also. ------------------ '84 1\2 ton swb, 350 5\7 drop just sold '64 1\2 ton 4\4 drop with built 350 (my toy) [This message has been edited by low 84 (edited February 15, 2002).] __________________ '51 F100, backhalf with a narrowed 9 and coil overs, 18.5" mickeys, monte front clip, +400" sbc in the works '05 1500 Crew Cab RIP '84 swb 5/7 drop, solid cammed 408 w/ fully ported dart heads, th350 w/ 10 inch hughes, 12 bolt w/ 3.73 richmonds and a locker '80 swb 4x4 in progress: 7" lift, 350 th350/np205, d44 and 1.5" ORD tie rod, 14BFF w/discs , armored diff covers, 40" MTR's

02-15-2002, 09:13 PM	#5
Z16 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,509	I've seen lots of radically lowered trucks cruising around So Cal. If I can drive one on the crappy roads up here in Canada, then it should be a breeze for you down there. PST has good parts, but I've heard their service isn't always great. Had good luck with them though. __________________ 98 GMC Sierra Ex Cab, cowl hood, Euro LED lights, 30 bar billet, Whipple Supercharged 350 Vortec: Forged flattops, E-Tec aluminum heads, Comp Cam, Scat crank and rods, Granatelli Mass air flow, Headers, Flowmaster exhaust , Complete MSD Ignition, Custom Tuning, intake spacer , ported throttle body, AC Delco port injection upgrade, Roller Rockers, Power Pulleys. Gear Vendors Overdrive. Soon to hit a dyno. 2/4 drop(for now). 95 Chevy S-10 Ex Cab 4.3 5 Speed 2/3 drop, Euro lights, billet grill, More to come. The Daily Driver

02-24-2002, 11:43 AM	#6
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	www.earlyclassics.com, they have drop pics to give you an idea. Good Luck and POST PICS when your done! __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

02-25-2002, 06:31 PM	#7
Frank_Zeller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 796	Don’t care for the Early Classics rear 6-inch drop springs. Spring rate to low for that much drop. Would be just right for 4 inch drop __________________ 69 SWB C/10 5-6 drop 700R4 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd 70 Torino GT Convert Austin-Texas

02-27-2002, 12:03 PM	#8
THOR 50 Over worked under paid Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fort Myers, Florida Posts: 378	Try: http://www.earlyclassic.com/ some how the other link added an 'S' to the end of classic. or http://www.earlyclassic.com/stance2.html ------------------ You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive. Roger '69 C-10 with GMC front clip billet grill, 283CI, 400TH and 12bolt posiw/3.73 gears __________________ Roger '69 C-10 with GMC front clip billet grill, 283CI, 400TH and 12bolt posiw/3.73 gears

02-27-2002, 08:24 PM	#9
Truckcrazy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Kennard, IN Posts: 6	Sound like we're in the same boat. I'm getting readt to da a 2.5/4 drop on my truck. There is a realy good suspension place called "PSC" performancesuspension.com and they have a great price on a complete front rebuild kit. Let me know how it turns out.



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