On a 71 c10 step side - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

5spd540 · 05-19-2017, 04:52 PM

How much can you lower it without have major work and it be safe? I don't want to nag it. I was thinking 5-7 drop but don't know much about these trucks. This is my first full size truck.

**PGSigns** · 05-19-2017, 07:19 PM

5/7 is a lot of drop to get started. What are the overall plans? Are you planning disc brakes or other mods? What wheel and tires are you thinking about? If you are thinking disc brakes 2 1/2 spindles and 2 inch springs. Then 4 to 6" springs depending on how much rake you want.
Jimmy

5spd540 · 05-19-2017, 08:15 PM

I have front disc and have not decided on wheels yet was thinking of 20x8 fronts and 20x10 or 12 on the rear

zach_carver · 05-20-2017, 07:39 AM

Most people I know like the 4/6 best. With spindles and springs in the front. 4/6 is a good drop, and still doesn't hang on everything.

5spd540 · 05-20-2017, 07:40 AM

I guess I need to see some pics of 4-6 and 5-7 drops so I can see how low it really is

BossHogg69 · 05-20-2017, 08:03 AM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=471442

30-odd pages of static drops there.

On a step side, good luck squeezing a 10" wide wheel with a 6 or 7 inch rear drop. 12" wide wheel is definitely not happening without a mini-tub, but that may already have been in your plans. Lots of info around here on lowered wheel and tire fitments, these questions are asked regularly. Using the search function will net you hours of material to read and pics to look at.

So, are you going to be running a '5 speed & 540' in this new truck? We need details!

BossHogg69 · 05-20-2017, 08:09 AM

I will add that a big block up front and a 5" drop will require a pretty stiff spring to keep the crossmember/lower a-arms from kissing the concrete, as it will likely only be a few inches off the ground.

5spd540 · 05-20-2017, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

I will add that a big block up front and a 5" drop will require a pretty stiff spring to keep the crossmember/lower a-arms from kissing the concrete, as it will likely only be a few inches off the ground.

It will be a small block the big block was in my 90 as truck I had

5spd540 · 05-20-2017, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=471442

30-odd pages of static drops there.

On a step side, good luck squeezing a 10" wide wheel with a 6 or 7 inch rear drop. 12" wide wheel is definitely not happening without a mini-tub, but that may already have been in your plans. Lots of info around here on lowered wheel and tire fitments, these questions are asked regularly. Using the search function will net you hours of material to read and pics to look at.

So, are you going to be running a '5 speed & 540' in this new truck? We need details!

It's a step side truck and the bed is rotted to death so gonna tub it out and make it cool

Tx Firefighter · 05-20-2017, 01:55 PM

I've driven 4/6 lowered trucks continuously since the late 80s. For me they just work. I haven't ever torn anything up that required repair.

I have owned a couple that were lower and you really need to be familiar with the roads or very diligent or you'll bash your front arms onto something. My current project is going down from 5/6 to 6/8 and I wouldn't want to drive it at night over unfamiliar roads unless I wasn't being rushed by heavy traffic and could pay real close attention to where I was going.

5spd540 · 05-20-2017, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I've driven 4/6 lowered trucks continuously since the late 80s. For me they just work. I haven't ever torn anything up that required repair.

I have owned a couple that were lower and you really need to be familiar with the roads or very diligent or you'll bash your front arms onto something. My current project is going down from 5/6 to 6/8 and I wouldn't want to drive it at night over unfamiliar roads unless I wasn't being rushed by heavy traffic and could pay real close attention to where I was going.

Yes I don't want to sacrifice the drivablility of it for looks. It not gonna be a daily but will get driven a good bit.

68Stepbed · 05-21-2017, 06:28 PM

This is how my truck sat with a 4.5/6.75 drop. 18x9.5 wheels and 285/40/18 tires.

It's currently getting a TCI full front and rear coilover suspension, which should yield about a 5/7 drop. This is how she looks right now with no engine, fluids, or bed.

05-19-2017, 04:52 PM	#1
5spd540 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: EDEN GA Posts: 191	On a 71 c10 step side How much can you lower it without have major work and it be safe? I don't want to nag it. I was thinking 5-7 drop but don't know much about these trucks. This is my first full size truck.

05-19-2017, 07:19 PM	#2
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: On a 71 c10 step side 5/7 is a lot of drop to get started. What are the overall plans? Are you planning disc brakes or other mods? What wheel and tires are you thinking about? If you are thinking disc brakes 2 1/2 spindles and 2 inch springs. Then 4 to 6" springs depending on how much rake you want. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

05-19-2017, 08:15 PM	#3
5spd540 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: EDEN GA Posts: 191	Re: On a 71 c10 step side I have front disc and have not decided on wheels yet was thinking of 20x8 fronts and 20x10 or 12 on the rear

05-20-2017, 07:39 AM	#4
zach_carver Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Blue Ridge,GA Posts: 508	Re: On a 71 c10 step side Most people I know like the 4/6 best. With spindles and springs in the front. 4/6 is a good drop, and still doesn't hang on everything. __________________ 1965 C10 LS2/4l70, WHITE, 5/7 DROP LINK TO SUPER SNOOPY C10 BUILD---> http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=689283 1977 C10 SILVERADO HAWAIIAN BLUE, 5/5" DROP, LS6/4L80E 1976 CHEVY K5, 350/350, YUBA GOLD/SADDLE

05-20-2017, 07:40 AM	#5
5spd540 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: EDEN GA Posts: 191	Re: On a 71 c10 step side I guess I need to see some pics of 4-6 and 5-7 drops so I can see how low it really is

05-20-2017, 08:03 AM	#6
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: On a 71 c10 step side http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=471442 30-odd pages of static drops there. On a step side, good luck squeezing a 10" wide wheel with a 6 or 7 inch rear drop. 12" wide wheel is definitely not happening without a mini-tub, but that may already have been in your plans. Lots of info around here on lowered wheel and tire fitments, these questions are asked regularly. Using the search function will net you hours of material to read and pics to look at. So, are you going to be running a '5 speed & 540' in this new truck? We need details! __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

05-20-2017, 08:09 AM	#7
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: On a 71 c10 step side I will add that a big block up front and a 5" drop will require a pretty stiff spring to keep the crossmember/lower a-arms from kissing the concrete, as it will likely only be a few inches off the ground. __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

05-20-2017, 01:55 PM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: On a 71 c10 step side I've driven 4/6 lowered trucks continuously since the late 80s. For me they just work. I haven't ever torn anything up that required repair. I have owned a couple that were lower and you really need to be familiar with the roads or very diligent or you'll bash your front arms onto something. My current project is going down from 5/6 to 6/8 and I wouldn't want to drive it at night over unfamiliar roads unless I wasn't being rushed by heavy traffic and could pay real close attention to where I was going. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

05-21-2017, 06:28 PM	#12
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: On a 71 c10 step side This is how my truck sat with a 4.5/6.75 drop. 18x9.5 wheels and 285/40/18 tires. It's currently getting a TCI full front and rear coilover suspension, which should yield about a 5/7 drop. This is how she looks right now with no engine, fluids, or bed. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system



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