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09-24-2002, 03:46 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Indpls, IN
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2.5 inch drop
What's the best way to lower our trucks without using airbags. I only want to come down 2 maybe 2.5 inches. I've got coils in the front and back. Would it be better to use leaf springs?
Thanks? |
09-24-2002, 04:54 PM | #2 |
SLICER AND DICIER
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Quuen Creek
Posts: 1,383
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What year truck? Disc? If so go with spindles for a 2.5" in front and 3" drop coils in the rear. JMO
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01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck) |
09-24-2002, 05:55 PM | #3 |
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Location: Indpls, IN
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It's a 70, with drums right now, but I plan on switching to disc up front. Go with spindles? Not sure what you mean? I should also just get smaller coils in the back? Why the different heights, and not 2.5 in front and back? Sorry, newbie here.
Thanks, Adam. |
09-24-2002, 06:47 PM | #4 |
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Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 335
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You can use the drop spindles in the front to lower 2.5 in and use your stoc coils. In the back, it depends if you want the level look or a high rear. 2.5 F/4 R will get you level. 2.5 F/3 R will get you a slight rake in back.
The drop spindles change the height of the front by changing the positition of the wheel spindle vice going with a shorter coil. |
09-26-2002, 05:37 PM | #5 |
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Location: Houston, TX
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i don't think anyone makes 2.5 inch lowered rear springs, that is why he is telling you to use 3 inch drop springs in the back. they do however make 2.5 in drop spindels. you have to use a shorter coil spring to lower the back, thats the only way to do it. up front you either need to use a shorter coil or dropped spindles, but drop spindles are only made for disc break front ends, so if you plan on using drop spindles you must convert the front to disc at the same times
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'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 |
09-26-2002, 08:49 PM | #6 |
Proud American
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Great State of Texas, USA
Posts: 97
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drop
There are several methods of lowering your vehicle without using airbags. They vary in price, of course, but give you the same end result.
Lowering Coils Since you have coils all around, this method of lowering will be the cheapest to accomplish. If you cut the coils, you modify to the exact height you want. However, you will sacrifice some ride quality because of the decrease in coil without increase in coil stiffness to make up for it. Drop coils accomplish this task, so you maintain ride quality. of course, buying coils is another expense. Either way, you will have to get a front end alignment afterwards to make up for the camber change. Drop Spindles The spindles are the units that the ball joints attach to and the rotor and/or drum plate attaches to in your case. The spindle arm is modified higher or lower achieving the rasing of lowering of the vehicle without altering the ride quality of the alignment. This way is best, but is also the most costly. Leaf Springs You do not need to deal with leaf springs at all. These are actually better for raising your vehicle and for load-bearing purposes. Hope this helps. With such a modest lowering goal (2.5"), you can accomplish this task very easy. Cutting coils will be cheapest, then getting alignment for the front end. Whatever you do, do not just HEAT the coils to achieve drop. The spring loses its "springy" ability and the metal is weakened considerably. Only cut the coil with plasma cutter or cutting wheel. Again, good luck!!! Last edited by 73GMC; 09-26-2002 at 08:52 PM. |
09-26-2002, 09:52 PM | #7 |
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Location: Houston, TX
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hmm.........don't think you can successfully lower the rear by cutting the coils. if they were cut the ends would have to be re-pigtailed in order to be able to bolt up. this is if i remember how the coils were installed on my '64 which i think i do.
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'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 |
09-27-2002, 09:51 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Indpls, IN
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Thanks a ton guys. You were very helpfull. I'm going to go with the 2.5" drop spindles and 4" drop coils to get the level look. Hey do you think 18" rims will look good with this drop?
Thanks again. Adam. |
09-29-2002, 10:11 AM | #9 |
Proud American
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Great State of Texas, USA
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rear coils
good point on those pigtails on rear coils, low84.
rears are not so accommodating as the fronts. drop springs would be in order. |
09-29-2002, 08:24 PM | #10 |
GMC SHORT FLEET F/S
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT PENNSYLVANNIA
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I was thinking that a 4" drop in the rear would level things out? am I wrong? I want a level mean stance!
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CHARLES WADE HEIN HVACR FOREMAN. LEWISBURG U.S.P. |
09-30-2002, 08:11 PM | #11 |
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Location: ca
Posts: 1,110
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it'll be about level if you use the same height tires. i am running 275 60 15 rear and 255 60 15 front and it will give you slight rake. when i have my crappy spare tires on that are the same size its level. of course its kind of level now since i put the 9" and the track bar kit from ECE. the track bar kit has the mount on one side and a spacer on the other that about 1/4" and then the 9" sits higher in the saddles because the axle tubes are larger so i'm guessing thats about another 1/4" or so drop. i never measured. i need to take pics and compare.
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68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs. |
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