3/4 drop on 85 GMC lwb - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

my 85 gmc · 10-26-2003, 01:44 AM

Can you guys give me some help on what is the best way to lower a lwb truck 3 inches in the front and 4 inches in the rear. I was thinking of using spindles and shackle & hanger kit, what are pros and cons to using this method also my truck has a two piece driveshaft will there be any pinion angle problems.

Thanks Rob

My truck is a 50,000 mile original truck including paint but I think the lowering bug has bit.

my 85 gmc · 10-26-2003, 10:11 PM

Just another couple of questions.
Currently on my truck are 8 inch rally wheels with 275/60/15 tires on all 4 corners will these be too much tire for the dropped spindles? Also does anyone have pictures of lowered lwb trucks? And finally does anyone make leaf springs for these trucks that will lower the rear?

Thanks Rob

*1FaastC10* · 10-26-2003, 11:48 PM

when the other guys get to this post, they're going to reply with "ifyou're going to go, go big" 99% of the time when you lower a truck, you always want more. is there a particular reason for the 3/4 drop? you may want to look into a bigger drop to save you money in the long run.

my 85 gmc · 10-27-2003, 12:01 AM

Please help me out don't laugh at me but me reasons for the 3/4 drop are: I think too much drop on a long wheel base makes it look too long and I do live in Canada so the roads after the long winters are not very forgiving to extreme lowering jobs.

Rob

*1FaastC10* · 10-27-2003, 12:55 AM

i can see your point. i thought the same thing when i originally lowered my 82 LWB 2.5/4. that wasnt enough, and i went to 3/5. when i started to go for the restoration i ditched the 3/5 and bought a 5/7 kit.

**swervin ervin** · 10-27-2003, 01:16 AM

Personally, I agree with you Rob. I don't think a LWB looks quite as good as a SWB. But this is only an opinion. If I were you and didn't know how low I wanted to go, I would use 2.5 spindles and maybe a shackle and hanger kit for 2.5/4 drop. If you go with a 3/4, it will give you a 1" rake. But this may look good on a LWB. Most of us SWB guys shoot for a level stance.

Anyway, 2.5 spindles will give you an easy way to go lower if you decide to later on. You could add 1.5 coils for a 4" drop, if you ever decide to go to a 4/6.

Another option is to go with 3" spindles and a 5" flip kit.

Now as for cons of a two piece driveshaft, I don't know. Someone who has lowered theirs will have to chime in about this. As far as I know, I don't think it will cause any problems. But as I said, I don't know this for sure since I've never lowered a LWB before.

my 85 gmc · 10-27-2003, 01:24 AM

Thanks for the info guys we can always count on Mike for help. Also there are pictures of my truck on Mike's website in the photo section under Robert MacDonald(my 85 gmc), so give me your opinions lower it or leave it alone?

Thanks Rob

*1FaastC10* · 10-27-2003, 12:42 PM

Rob, if i were you, i'd leave it stock.

10-26-2003, 01:44 AM	#1
my 85 gmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Moncton New Brunswick Posts: 56	3/4 drop on 85 GMC lwb Can you guys give me some help on what is the best way to lower a lwb truck 3 inches in the front and 4 inches in the rear. I was thinking of using spindles and shackle & hanger kit, what are pros and cons to using this method also my truck has a two piece driveshaft will there be any pinion angle problems. Thanks Rob My truck is a 50,000 mile original truck including paint but I think the lowering bug has bit.

10-26-2003, 10:11 PM	#2
my 85 gmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Moncton New Brunswick Posts: 56	3/4 drop on 85 long wheel base Just another couple of questions. Currently on my truck are 8 inch rally wheels with 275/60/15 tires on all 4 corners will these be too much tire for the dropped spindles? Also does anyone have pictures of lowered lwb trucks? And finally does anyone make leaf springs for these trucks that will lower the rear? Thanks Rob

10-27-2003, 12:01 AM	#4
my 85 gmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Moncton New Brunswick Posts: 56	3/4 drop on lwb Please help me out don't laugh at me but me reasons for the 3/4 drop are: I think too much drop on a long wheel base makes it look too long and I do live in Canada so the roads after the long winters are not very forgiving to extreme lowering jobs. Rob

10-27-2003, 01:16 AM	#6
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Personally, I agree with you Rob. I don't think a LWB looks quite as good as a SWB. But this is only an opinion. If I were you and didn't know how low I wanted to go, I would use 2.5 spindles and maybe a shackle and hanger kit for 2.5/4 drop. If you go with a 3/4, it will give you a 1" rake. But this may look good on a LWB. Most of us SWB guys shoot for a level stance. Anyway, 2.5 spindles will give you an easy way to go lower if you decide to later on. You could add 1.5 coils for a 4" drop, if you ever decide to go to a 4/6. Another option is to go with 3" spindles and a 5" flip kit. Now as for cons of a two piece driveshaft, I don't know. Someone who has lowered theirs will have to chime in about this. As far as I know, I don't think it will cause any problems. But as I said, I don't know this for sure since I've never lowered a LWB before. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

10-26-2003, 11:48 PM	#3
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	when the other guys get to this post, they're going to reply with "ifyou're going to go, go big" 99% of the time when you lower a truck, you always want more. is there a particular reason for the 3/4 drop? you may want to look into a bigger drop to save you money in the long run.

10-27-2003, 12:55 AM	#5
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	i can see your point. i thought the same thing when i originally lowered my 82 LWB 2.5/4. that wasnt enough, and i went to 3/5. when i started to go for the restoration i ditched the 3/5 and bought a 5/7 kit.

10-27-2003, 01:24 AM	#7
my 85 gmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Moncton New Brunswick Posts: 56	Thanks for the info guys we can always count on Mike for help. Also there are pictures of my truck on Mike's website in the photo section under Robert MacDonald(my 85 gmc), so give me your opinions lower it or leave it alone? Thanks Rob

10-27-2003, 12:42 PM	#8
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	Rob, if i were you, i'd leave it stock.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.