Rear lowering spring question

[BMSJaX]

Alright I traded some tool over the weekend for a stock seat and some 3" rear lowering springs. Now I got them in and only noticed about a 1" drop... looked in LMC at the stock stance which says 34" from ground to top of fender well, I measured mine at 28 3/4 with 31" tires. So did I possible already had a 2" drop in? Can anyone measure the un-sprung height of a stock spring? I'm so confused....

[MXmaniac]

I bet your stock springs were sagging some after 45 years. Its common to not notice as much difference as you'd expect when you're replacing the stocks springs with drop springs.

[terd ferguson]

I think the LMC catalog shows stock height from the ground to the center of the rear fender should be 34". MXmaniac is right on. Your springs were probably already sagging 2" from the weight of hauling who knows what over the last half century.

So you didn't get as much drop as you wanted, right? You can add some lowering blocks to get a little more. It's cheap, easy, and as long as you don't go more than 3", you shouldn't have any clearance issues.

[BMSJaX]

I was lookin at them and the top half of the coils are closer together then the bottom half, dont think it came like that so it either sagged or maybe the original owner who customized it first gave it an old school drop by heating the coils and compressing them... heard of that being done back in the day before drop kits were readily available. I only think this because the front springs have been cut to achieve a drop so it would make sense once I think about it.

And no i didn't get the drop I thought I would but I traded for some unused tools so no real loss, pretty much got them just to see, and I didnt mind the height before so I'll keep it as is and maybe I'll have a better ride feel with unmodified/sagged springs(taking the bright side)

[BMSJaX]

Originally Posted by terd ferguson

I think the LMC catalog shows stock height from the ground to the center of the rear fender should be 34". MXmaniac is right on. Your springs were probably already sagging 2" from the weight of hauling who knows what over the last half century.

So you didn't get as much drop as you wanted, right? You can add some lowering blocks to get a little more. It's cheap, easy, and as long as you don't go more than 3", you shouldn't have any clearance issues.

What are these lowering blocks? I've heard of lift blocks... I cant picture how adding a block would lower me more...

[terd ferguson]

Originally Posted by BMSJaX

What are these lowering blocks? I've heard of lift blocks... I cant picture how adding a block would lower me more...

It's the exact same principal as lift blocks but in reverse. With lift blocks, you are making the axle closer to the ground (the axle is lower in relation to the vehicle's body), effectively lifting the vehicle. My basic description is that you put blocks between the rear trailing arms and the axle and this in turn pushes the axle further up in the wheel well effectively lowering the rear. It works in the same way as using lowering springs, the springs are shorter, "raising" the rear axle higher in the wheel well.

Another way to explain it is lift blocks will push the axle away from the frame/body while lowering blocks will push the axle closer to the frame/body. They've been doing it with blocks and mini trucks for years and years.

[BMSJaX]

Originally Posted by terd ferguson

It's the exact same principal as lift blocks but in reverse. My basic description is that you put blocks between the trailing arm and the axle and this in turn pushes the axle further up in the wheel well effectively lowering the rear. It works in the same way as using lowering springs, the springs are shorter "raising" the rear axle higher in the wheel well.

AH! I get it! Only problem is that my trailing arms have been welded to my axle... guess the original owner thought it was a race truck... Guess i'll be gettin springs if I want to go any lower.