updated pics, need your opinions too

[bigblock73]

Got my front clip installed today (Saturday)...I am getting soo excited, I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel! The truck will be going in for final paint in May/June.

Now for my questions, and hopefully your feedback...but before that, some info on the truck.

The front is droped 4" with 3" spindles and 1" drop springs. The rear is dropped approx 7-8 inches (depending on who you ask) with a flip kit and 2" drop shackles...and I removed the overload springs from each leaf (I have HD rear springs..but that shouldn't matter with a flip).

As you can see in the pics, the truck is basically level, perhaps a fraction higher in the front. I would like the front lower OR the rear higher...but preferably the front lower. I was thinking 2" drop coils to replace my current 1" drop coils...sound like a good idea, or should I go with 2" drop coils. Whatever it is, I only want to do it once.

I could relocate the rear leaf springs to the next hole on the shackles, essentially raising the rear...but I dig the rear stance and wheel placement in the wheel well.

Anyhow, looking forward to your feedback! Thanks.

[Low84]

First of all awesome looking truck.

Now for my opinion. The front does seem a bit higher than the back.

I'm not sure if you want a slight rake, but if you do.......Raising the back, you would have to first level it and then raise it a bit more to have the front lower than the rear.

That would completley throw everything off.

I vote for lowering the front!! Back looks great at the height it is currently in.

[Malo83]

I would go with the 2" coils, the rear stance is perfect over the wheels, and once you get all the front end hung,bumpers,grill etc. you'll have a slight rake which will look killer on the truck, she's looking good
John

[ocbaud]

truck is looking good man!

but crap, MY truck sits lower in the back. i gotta get my front dropped more too. my current set up is:
3" spindles/1.5" coils in the front
flip kit in the back

and my front is still higher up

i'll sell you a set of 1.5" western chassis coils if you want them

[Restrorob]

SWEEEEET lookin truck Jeff, And my favorite color !!!

I vote for dropping the front a little more also, The rear looks awesome.

[Palf70Step]

Yes, go with the 2" springs it should give it the look you want once everything is back on and things settle down.

[AirMale]

cut a coil and you will be happy!

[smashingchuck]

I would also agree that the tire is nicely positioned in the rear wheel well. I would lower the front untill the front wheel is one inch closer to the wheel well than the back wheel is. then it would have the perfect rake.

[copperbobber]

I also vote for dropping the front a little. It sure does look killer though.

[benoit454]

I agree sweet truck I love it.

I think too looking at the tires to well comparison the front seems higher but looking at the body seems level. I'd do the coils up front if you want to spend the cash and time to do it. I like that back how it is.

Since it's flipped wouldn't you need to bring the springs down a hole and not up? I'd thinking going up a hole would lower it further right?

[bigblock73]

Thanks for the kind words and advice. The front will indeed come down. I will probabaly buy some 2 or 3" drop coils...but am worried 2" will not be enough and 3" will be too much.

Are flip kits generally 5 or 6" drops??

I still need to install the front bumper, grill and H/L's, inner fenders, and add all fluids...but I don't think all of that will help the nose bleed stance.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by benoit454

Since it's flipped wouldn't you need to bring the springs down a hole and not up? I'd thinking going up a hole would lower it further right?

I said "next hole"...I guess I should have said lower hole.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

...I guess I should have said lower hole.

He said "lower hole"! Can you say that on here?


Jeff- Lower it. Your not going to be happy raising it back up.

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Thanks for the kind words and advice. The front will indeed come down. I will probabaly buy some 2 or 3" drop coils...but am worried 2" will not be enough and 3" will be too much.

Are flip kits generally 5 or 6" drops??

I still need to install the front bumper, grill and H/L's, inner fenders, and add all fluids...but I don't think all of that will help the nose bleed stance.

my flip is a 6 but it's also c notched.my front is 3 inch spindles with 1 in.coils.to get the rake,which i believe your after.you gotta be getting excited about gettin that bad boy out on the road,got a launch date? i got a buddy that cut a coil for a cheap way of finding out what looks good,he's still running it.he's going to put drop coils in someday,but for now it works fine.as long as you don't cut too much.like iv'e posted before i remember when it was the only way.there were no manufactured lowering kits.

[1LoC10]

trucks looking good... if it was mine, I would lower the front more, and get a little bigger tire out back

[ocbaud]

well crap, i measured mine earlier tonight and my front is exactly 1/2" higher than the back is! i'm pretty sure it needs a 6/8 drop on it(my truck that is)


are you gonna keep the welds on there jeff? i sometimes think 15" wheels would look better on my truck than the 17's

[grinch4om]

how long has it sat without weight on the nose? coils settle so maybe you ought to wait till its done, drive it and see...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by ocbaud

... i sometimes think 15" wheels would look better on my truck than the 17's

You need to quit thinking so much.

[fourty1]

correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the wheelwell cut-out is larger in front than in the rear. i would sooner think your sitting level. but you probably knew this,,...
-41-

[KMK454]

Looking great so far, love those wheels. Lower it just a little bit out front

I see it's still gray up in the twin cities, I lived in Mendota Heights back when the Northstars were still in the NHL. The saying was 9 months of good skiing, 3 months of bad skiing, and good ice fishing all 4 seasons!

[benoit454]

I agree with above I think after noticeing a few guys pics the wheel well opening is up higher, just look at where it has the curved section then the straight line, compared to the top of the opening, the bed is thicker there then the front so maybe it's level.

Guys also made a good point, after having something jacked up in the air or without weight you need to drive it and work the suspension to get it all settled and dropped into place. I think you'll be ok leaving it that way, but if you want I'd do the 2 inch drop springs, not 3, that'd give you a rake, but if you want rake it be great. I personally think it would be great either way, left alone, 2 inch or 3 inch.

[87 STEPPER]

Jeff it's really comming togeather nicely im with every one else leave the rear where it's at and drop the front.

I was gonna say wait untill you have all the other front end components installed and let the front end & springs settel a week or so and see where she sit's remember everything up front is new and still tight.

Im not sure if thats gonna by your final wheel & tire combo but you can allways lose an inch with a decrease in tire sidewall.

[knightlife]

Originally Posted by ocbaud

i sometimes think 15" wheels would look better on my truck than the 17's

I think you need to bust out the 26's and high well it while sportin a bagged out setup with twin compressors, 30 gallon tank (all hidden of course) and bad boy solenoids buahaha!

[boxrodz]

Jeff -
It's really looking good!
I agree with the consensus to drop the front.

If you have the suspension travel and wheel clearance, you may be able to go a couple more inches for an aggresive rake which could match the wheel combo. This would fill the front fender a bit more to get the front wheels closer to tuck. If the rake turns out to be too much, then maybe you could add a shim in the rear. (If you have the clearance, since it's gonna be low.. low..low.) And, you may have to add a spacer or offset the UCA shaft. If it doesn't work out, you could always jack up the front and turn it into a Gasser, especially with the big block. j/k If convoluted air springs was an option for the front, you could get better adjustability and ride-ability.

Here's a chop with you current drop, another inch drop in the front and finally a 2" more drop in the front.

It's looking good and should be tight once you get the color on it.

[bigblock73]

I guess I should have provided more data on the drop. The front has been dropped this way since '97. The rear was originally a 4" drop (shackles & hangers), but I put stock hangers back on and flipped it over the winter...so now it has a flip kit and 2" shackles.

I understand the whole wheel well height difference, and I am basing my stance on the distance between the top of the tires and the bottom of the wheel well...I would like the front and back to be close to the same distance as possible from each other.

Marcus, thanks for the photoshop...I believe the 2" additional drop looks the best!!!

Thanks again for the help everyone.