Least Expensive way to drop a 69 C10 Stepside? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kedmunds · 10-31-2011, 08:50 AM

Hello Everyone,

Well, we started the Father/Son project on our 69 C10 StepSide. We have owned the truck for 3 days now and we have already decided to drop it a bit from it's original height.

Would anybody please provide us some suggestions on what the least expensive way there is to drop the truck (without using airbags)? I have been reading that a 4" drop in the front and a 6" drop in the back looks great and handles well. Is that what you would suggest? What would you suggest?

If so, how do we do it? i.e. Drop Spindles in the front and different springs on the front and back? My son looks up to me and wants to learn from me, but I honestly don't have a clue on the best approach for this and that is why I joined this forum. You guys seem to want to help each other, so here I am. Help? Please?

Thank You,
Kirk Edmunds

JWall · 10-31-2011, 08:58 AM

A 4/6 drop is a great drop(some advertise them as 4.5/6 for the 67-72's)... it looks great & the truck handles better.

Kit will include spindles, springs & shocks up front & then springs, shocks, new upper shock mounts, & new adjustable track bar.

I used Early Classic kit on my old 72 & it was great. It ran about $750-800.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

Here is my old truck with a 4.5/6 drop...

Name: l4_detail.jpg
Views: 1840
Size: 54.8 KB

Name: l4_detail.jpg
Views: 1840
Size: 54.8 KB

Name: l5_detail.jpg
Views: 1508
Size: 52.8 KB

gringoloco · 10-31-2011, 09:24 AM

If you wanna do it on the cheap AND do it right, you will want drop spindles up front, and cut a full round off of the stock coil springs. This will net your 4.5" drop. Stock length shocks will work.

On the rear, a 6" spring will work, but I prefer a 4" spring/2" block combo. This, along with relocating rear shocks will allow you to use stock length shocks (search under username Scoti for a free relocation method). You will also want an adjustable track bar, as lowering will shift your axle to one side. There is also a write-up here in the FAQ on how to build your own on the cheap.

Any questions, please ask. These methods are tried and true and will get you where you wanna be- without spending a ton of cash...

Ackattack · 10-31-2011, 10:38 AM

Don't forget the alignment afterwards too.

**N2TRUX** · 10-31-2011, 11:09 AM

Welcome to the forum Kirk.

10-31-2011, 08:50 AM	#1
kedmunds Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 37	Least Expensive way to drop a 69 C10 Stepside? Hello Everyone, Well, we started the Father/Son project on our 69 C10 StepSide. We have owned the truck for 3 days now and we have already decided to drop it a bit from it's original height. Would anybody please provide us some suggestions on what the least expensive way there is to drop the truck (without using airbags)? I have been reading that a 4" drop in the front and a 6" drop in the back looks great and handles well. Is that what you would suggest? What would you suggest? If so, how do we do it? i.e. Drop Spindles in the front and different springs on the front and back? My son looks up to me and wants to learn from me, but I honestly don't have a clue on the best approach for this and that is why I joined this forum. You guys seem to want to help each other, so here I am. Help? Please? Thank You, Kirk Edmunds

10-31-2011, 08:58 AM	#2
JWall Frequent Flyer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 2,258	Re: Least Expensive way to drop a 69 C10 Stepside? A 4/6 drop is a great drop(some advertise them as 4.5/6 for the 67-72's)... it looks great & the truck handles better. Kit will include spindles, springs & shocks up front & then springs, shocks, new upper shock mounts, & new adjustable track bar. I used Early Classic kit on my old 72 & it was great. It ran about $750-800. http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx Here is my old truck with a 4.5/6 drop... __________________ - Justin 76 SWB C-10 - 98 SWB C1500 (x2) 1 Owner 1976 SWB

10-31-2011, 09:24 AM	#3
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,921	Re: Least Expensive way to drop a 69 C10 Stepside? If you wanna do it on the cheap AND do it right, you will want drop spindles up front, and cut a full round off of the stock coil springs. This will net your 4.5" drop. Stock length shocks will work. On the rear, a 6" spring will work, but I prefer a 4" spring/2" block combo. This, along with relocating rear shocks will allow you to use stock length shocks (search under username Scoti for a free relocation method). You will also want an adjustable track bar, as lowering will shift your axle to one side. There is also a write-up here in the FAQ on how to build your own on the cheap. Any questions, please ask. These methods are tried and true and will get you where you wanna be- without spending a ton of cash... __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

10-31-2011, 10:38 AM	#4
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	Re: Least Expensive way to drop a 69 C10 Stepside? Don't forget the alignment afterwards too. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

10-31-2011, 11:09 AM	#5
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Least Expensive way to drop a 69 C10 Stepside? Welcome to the forum Kirk. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.