Suspension- want to level it out, what's the best way?

[azlamm65GMC]

I am restoring a '65 GMC half ton short bed/step side, it's a surprise for my business partners father in law as it was his truck he bought brand new back in the day and we found it and are restoring it back to original. We are going to throw a couple of our own touches to it and one is just leveling our the suspension, has that squat in the front and would like to just lower down the rear to make it level. If it was my truck I would put a 3-5 lowering kit or put it on bags. The truck has the leaf springs in the back and have looked at those shackles that lower it. Just curious if anyone's ideas for leveling it out bc I have it down to the frame right now and it will be easier to do the suspension work now while the body is off. Any suggestions please

[aerotruk63]

Some pics would be nice. Be patient the opinions will be posting shortly.

[azlamm65GMC]

I have it down to just the frame now but when the body was on it, it sat down pretty good in the front I'll find some pictures with the body on it when I first got it. It's hard to tell in the picture it sitting down in the front

[azlamm65GMC]

Another one I have

[azlamm65GMC]

Everything is original underneath never been changed, what are some things I should replace to help with ride(springs, bushings, ect)

[azlamm65GMC]

This is the main part, the lower control arm bushing is completely gone, that I need to fix so thinking while I have everything apart might as well do whatever suspension work.

[1963c-10]

Welcome......and congrats on the truck build. I'm sure the owner will be thrilled to drive it again.

I'd look at a basic front end rebuild. Retain the original control arms. Rebuild or replace the cross shafts. Replace the ball joints and tie rods, pitman & idler arm with good components like Moog. Price shop for these parts. I got most of Amazon.com at great prices.

Next option you have to consider is keeping it drum up front or doing a disk conversion and I'd go to a dual master cylinder either way you go for safety.

Neither jobs are too hard. I did both in my driveway with basic tools, minus the ball joint press which I got on loan from Advanced Auto.

Also.....was the engine in it when you purchased it? Might account for the front end being a tad high.

[azlamm65GMC]

What about the lower control arms? I know one side is missing shaft end nut, but when you look at it it looks cracked around the control arm where the a arm shaft goes through. Both sides are cracked right here in the picture

[azlamm65GMC]

This is the other side, do it need to replace both lower control arms?

[azlamm65GMC]

And to 1963c-10 thanks for the advice, I am keeping the drums front and rear, if I go to the dual master cylinder I'll need to get a proportioning valve also right? Also replacing the bushing I've heard that going to polyurethane isn't always the best over the stock style rubber ones, any suggestions on replacing bushing in the front? Also replacing shocks all the way around, what are the best brands out there when I'm keeping the stock height not going to lower it or anything.

[jtrichard]

YES you need to replace both lower A arms and it has hard parts NOT rubber bushings

[jtrichard]

IF you just want to level it out and match the front you can de-arch the rear springs some