On a 71 c10 step side

[5spd540]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[5spd540]

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]

I will be running a 6spd and some type of small block around 400 to 450hp. Lowered 4-6 to 5-7 not bagged. 20 in wheels was thinking 20x8 and 20x 10 or 12 rear. It's a coil spring truck. Not dead set on any of it other than a small block and stick shift truck lowered. I am open to any ideas.

[BossHogg69]

I'm not on 20's, but my truck is lowered roughly 4.5" (spindles/springs) up front and 7.5" in back (6" spring, 1.5" block), but the big block adds a little more weight up front, so it's really closer to 5" (actual measurements, not guessing). I started out with a 2.5" spindle and 3" CPP drop spring, but I dragged the arms a couple times, so I went with stiffer Hotchkis 2" spring that's 1400#/inch and they keep everything high and tight .

What tire sizes are you wanting to run? My tires are 26.5" up front and 27" in the rear as they sit on the truck. Just something else to consider. Then you have to decide if you're going to run inner fenders, and then backspace of the wheels to make sure it all clears, and the list goes on...

[5spd540]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

I'm not on 20's, but my truck is lowered roughly 4.5" (spindles/springs) up front and 7.5" in back (6" spring, 1.5" block), but the big block adds a little more weight up front, so it's really closer to 5" (actual measurements, not guessing). I started out with a 2.5" spindle and 3" CPP drop spring, but I dragged the arms a couple times, so I went with stiffer Hotchkis 2" spring that's 1400#/inch and they keep everything high and tight .

What tire sizes are you wanting to run? My tires are 26.5" up front and 27" in the rear as they sit on the truck. Just something else to consider. Then you have to decide if you're going to run inner fenders, and then backspace of the wheels to make sure it all clears, and the list goes on...

I want the truck lowered and then I will build around that don't want to build around a set of wheels. Like I said before this is my first truck so I am new to all of this. I am open to ideas. I may. E going about this all wrong so if I am please steer me correct.

[5spd540]

What size are your wheels . I love your set up.

[BossHogg69]

19x9 in front, 6" backspace; 19x12 rear, 6" backspace. The rear end is narrowed 2" (it was already the narrower 67-70 six lug 12 bolt housing, and I cut 1" more off each side and swapped over to Ford 9" style housing ends)

Tires are 275/35 front, 345/30 rear. I'm running stock inner fenders. Nothing rubs, drags or scrapes.

[5spd540]

I do think I would like to be able to use bought inner fenders and not have to build a set.

[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.

[5spd540]

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]

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.