Drop ?????????

[bestchevyfan]

If I Use 3 In In Front And 4 In In Rear To Lower My Truck Would I Need To Do Any Thing Else To It ? This Would Be Replacing The Coil Springs Thanks,buddy

[1LoC10]

just an alignment and you should be set... assuming the rest of your suspension is in working condition

[Elsie72]

IMO, 3" is too much drop on the front with only springs. I'd suggest a combination of springs and spindles on the front. Back's no issue with that. I went 5" and did a shock relocate and track bar kit.

[1LoC10]

3 inches is just fine and will drive great

[pkj]

not trying to jack this thread, but it seems that there is alot of questions about using 3 inch drop springs. some people say the springs fall out when you jack it up. some say you cant get a good alignment. i wonder if its the type of spring used? not all springs are the same. if you order springs from GMC Pauls you have to wait for them to be made. some drop springs are just cut down springs that are used for many different applications. so my question is if you go with a spring drop of 3 inchs is there a right or better then most to use? for the amount and type of driving my old clunker will be doing i feel the drum set up will be fine, maybe add power. but i want a front drop, and want it done right. if i am jacking your thread just delete me. thanks, pkj

[Joe67]

Originally Posted by bestchevyfan

If I Use 3 In In Front And 4 In In Rear To Lower My Truck Would I Need To Do Any Thing Else To It ? This Would Be Replacing The Coil Springs Thanks,buddy

I would go with a rear shock relocator kit and adjustable panhard bar as well as all new shocks all around

[craig@ridetech.com]

I'm not sure what the drop springs are going to cost you but if it were me I would opt for a 2.5" spindle drop instead. You will be able to drop your ride height and still retain the factory spring rate and ride quality (if you are happy with it) the shorter spring will stiffen your ride quality since it has to hold up the same amount of weight with a shorter height. It is also going to decrease the amount of overall wheel travel you have and might require you to switch to a different shock.

[thekid54]

You might even be able to get a 3" drop spindle. I know they have them for the '73-'87 front ends.

[raggedjim]

If you are trying to do this on a budget (who isn't?) then yes, you can get away with the 3" front and 4" rear.

You will get about a 3" drop if you cut exactly one coil off of the original springs (if you're really cheap) and, yes, you will get a stiffer ride. You will also need to have the front end aligned. I've done this numerous times and have always been able to get a good alignment.

In the rear you can put the 4" springs in without using the shock relocation kit. This will also stiffen your ride but I don't relocate the springs on anything less than a 5" drop (if using springs only, if you used 4"spring and 2" block you could go as far as 6" drop without the kit).

These guys are giving good advise, but the springs are a much cheaper way (and much safer than the old heat'em and drop'em I used to do).

Tx Firefighter had some good pics on doing budget drops, I'll see if I can find them.

PS. The 3" dropspindle will cause rubbibg on any wheel less than 16" so if you plan to stay with a 15" wheel you can only go 2.5" on a spindle.

Good luck, Rg

[action]

In 1979 I bought a new 79 GMC stepside, Had it lowered. Back then they cut coils and flipped the rear. had 295/50-15 tires on 15x10 rims Added 1" blocks to the rear and cut the coils some more to get the fenders close to the tires.
Stiff but handled great.
Jack

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

.....The 3" dropspindle will cause rubbibg on any wheel less than 16" so if you plan to stay with a 15" wheel you can only go 2.5" on a spindle.

You can use a 3" drop spindle w/15" wheels but back-spacing is more critical vs wheels of a larger diameter.

I had 15x6" van ralleys on my 74 before I installed my 18/20 TT2's. I have BellTech 3" spindles & they did not rub @ all. Optimum backspacing is the key.

[7387chevys]

Originally Posted by action

In 1979 I bought a new 79 GMC stepside, Had it lowered. Back then they cut coils and flipped the rear. had 295/50-15 tires on 15x10 rims Added 1" blocks to the rear and cut the coils some more to get the fenders close to the tires.
Stiff but handled great.
Jack

Handeles better with the diff steering geometry............Were you able to get it line up so that the wheels didnt sit like this /== ==\ how far can you lower it in the rear with out a c notch(the idea of cutting on a frame scares the crap out of me......esp z'd frammes and step notches)? can you go 6 with hd springs?
Shane

[st1x10]

What kinda shocks does everybody use? I was looking for 2 1/2" spindles and 4" rear spring. Thanks.

[pkj]

hey raggedjim did you find those budget pics from tx firefighter? i for one would like to see those. this is a good thread. thanks pkj

[see ten]

You can use 3" front springs and yes they can align it but things are going to be at less than ideal angles. Yes the springs can fall over when the truck is being jacked up. Plan on heavily trimming or removing the bumpstops on the front. All in all it's a better method than heating or cutting the springs and is more than adequate for an occaisonal/weekend driver. If you are planning on it being a daily driver........you might want to save up for some spindles or run a little less drop. I have two buddies running 3" drop springs, both of them are now planning on going to spindles.

[thekid54]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You can use a 3" drop spindle w/15" wheels but back-spacing is more critical vs wheels of a larger diameter.

I had 15x6" van ralleys on my 74 before I installed my 18/20 TT2's. I have BellTech 3" spindles & they did not rub @ all. Optimum backspacing is the key.

Yeah, I have 15" wheels off of a '71 on my '73-'87 3" drop spindles, no clearance problems. I don't know if the year of spindle matters, but with my combination I don't have any issues.