Newbie syndrome?!!

[Agent 0071]

Hey guys what's going on new to the forum. I'm real excited to get with some other fellow chevy truck-ohaulics. Well first to start I'm 19 and never had any experience what so ever on the whole car restomod scene, I have a 1971 c10 long bed that's been in the family since new and I have a big desire to restore/customize it some. First I did all the body work in my back yard and to start off it was a huge step I used all the original sheet metal since I don't know how to fabricate just yet, and being it used to be a work truck there was alot of dents and spots that needed attention. But other then that it wasn't in that bad of shape it had real nice original paint it was sunflower yellow with the white cab but since yellow wasn't really my color, I'm looking to do the same two tone paint but with a dark silver light grey and white cab/ lettering on the tailgate. I'm trying to set up my garage now to get it all done befor next summer, but I also wanted to drop it in the time period I have been looking around for some drop kits online and so far I found one in my price range it's called "handling&lowering performance kit" from cpp. I would like the grand slam kit but it's alittle pricey and wanting the best I'm looking at the 14" brakes which is acouple hundred more. so Im opting for this handling plus drop kit. my question is has anyone used this kit does it really make a difference from leafs I would love a smoother ride with all the old school flavor and also if you have how much does it drop it it doesn't really say how much it drops it I'm looking for a 2 or 2 1/2 drop. I've heard if I wanted to do more you have to do alot of fabricating is that true? if anyone has input let me know
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[dmwphoto]

welcome. I have the same truck



I called the guys at Early Classic enterprises and they set me up with a great suspension kit that worked perfectly. Would not hurt to check them against CPP

[Agent 0071]

Wow that's awesome! I like the exhaust infront of the rear wheels I was thinking about doing something like that but the guy at the exhaust shop was going to charge me a whole lot more so I opted for the dual exhaust instead how much did you drop yours? It has an awesome stance!
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[dmwphoto]

thanks. 2 1/2 front and 4 rear. Went with 17 inch wheels. My exhaust was done at a great shop and with Magnaflow mufflers for 330.00. I had issues with the dual out the back hitting the rear axle after lowering. here are a couple exuast images.

before


after



notice how nice the hanger is done

[dmwphoto]

[Agent 0071]

That's sick it looks like the rear still sits up alittle higher then the front I still want that old hot rod stance what did the kit come with I definatly want to do the shocks and coils did yours come with that? And is the ride any better? I know the lower setter of gravity will help the cornering and all but i want a very comfy ride like my newer car has is that possible? Yea thats what I payed for the dual tips but it wasn't even name brand pipping mufflers, it looks way clean under there did you just sand blast and paint? I want a clean set up something like that.
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[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Agent 0071

Hey guys what's going on new to the forum. I'm real excited to get with some other fellow chevy truck-ohaulics. Well first to start I'm 19 and never had any experience what so ever on the whole car restomod scene, I have a 1971 c10 long bed that's been in the family since new and I have a big desire to restore/customize it some. First I did all the body work in my back yard and to start off it was a huge step I used all the original sheet metal since I don't know how to fabricate just yet, and being it used to be a work truck there was alot of dents and spots that needed attention. But other then that it wasn't in that bad of shape it had real nice original paint it was sunflower yellow with the white cab but since yellow wasn't really my color, I'm looking to do the same two tone paint but with a dark silver light grey and white cab/ lettering on the tailgate. I'm trying to set up my garage now to get it all done befor next summer, but I also wanted to drop it in the time period I have been looking around for some drop kits online and so far I found one in my price range it's called "handling&lowering performance kit" from cpp. I would like the grand slam kit but it's alittle pricey and wanting the best I'm looking at the 14" brakes which is acouple hundred more. so Im opting for this handling plus drop kit. my question is has anyone used this kit does it really make a difference from leafs I would love a smoother ride with all the old school flavor and also if you have how much does it drop it it doesn't really say how much it drops it I'm looking for a 2 or 2 1/2 drop. I've heard if I wanted to do more you have to do alot of fabricating is that true? if anyone has input let me know
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Since your truck is a 71, it already has disc brakes up front so it would be super easy to get a 2.5" drop by just swapping to drop spindles (available @ 2", 2.5", & 3" drop amounts). Inspect & replace any worn front suspension parts, add a sway-bar w/polyurethane bushings, swap in some good quality shocks & you'll notice a huge improvement in handling quality.

has anyone used this kit does it really make a difference from leafs

The rear drop is dependant on which type of suspension you have specifically. I assume based on the copied portion of your original post that you have leafs. If so, to match the front drop, you'll need a hanger/shackle kit for the leafs. Unfortunately these parts don't do anything for the handling beyond lowering the center of gravity. A rear sway bar might help; new rear shocks that match the fronts definitely will help.

Give us some more info & we can possibly help navigate your choices efficiently.

[dmwphoto]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Since your truck is a 71, it already has disc brakes up front so it would be super easy to get a 2.5" drop by just swapping to drop spindles (available @ 2", 2.5", & 3" drop amounts). Inspect & replace any worn front suspension parts, add a sway-bar w/polyurethane bushings, swap in some good quality shocks & you'll notice a huge improvement in handling quality.


The rear drop is dependant on which type of suspension you have specifically. I assume based on the copied portion of your original post that you have leafs. If so, to match the front drop, you'll need a hanger/shackle kit for the leafs. Unfortunately these parts don't do anything for the handling beyond lowering the center of gravity. A rear sway bar might help; new rear shocks that match the fronts definitely will help.

Give us some more info & we can possibly help navigate your choices efficiently.

Good advice here. I did 2 1/2 drop spindles up front with new shocks, a shock relocator kit front and rear and drop coils with super trak bar in the rear. That Allowed me to precisely center the rear diff for the widest possible tires.

[dmwphoto]

I plan to add the front sway bar kit this spring and a Keisler 5 speed trans to replace the Muncie 4 spd.

[Agent 0071]

It's all stock now I haven't started messing with anything suspension yet besides the engine n body work, will new leafs work Ive seen them around would I need alot more n I'm looking at about a 2 1/2" 3" in the rear ive checked out the shackles but they only drop them 2" do you think I could do that with lowered shocks and get another inch or two out of it with that combo or I also heard about blocks what do those do?
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