How low is too low? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

suburban99 · 02-12-2016, 10:03 PM

Hey all, this is the first 2wd truck I have owned...am I too low for normal driving?
I still have to install the windshield so I have not driven it too far yet. Just far enough to test the engine and tranny...
Maybe someone with more experience can give me a measurement from ground to the control arms on their street driven truck? Truck has 2-1/2 drop spindles and 1-1/2 coils cut in the front. 5" drop coils in the rear I think.

TopFuel1966 · 02-12-2016, 10:43 PM

Let the air out of all the tires and see if anything bottoms out.

Slow Build · 02-13-2016, 12:21 AM

What size tires are you running? Personally I like a 28" tall tire (275/60/15). It fills my wheel well and keeps the crossmember and control arms a little higher off the road.

suburban99 · 02-13-2016, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow Build

What size tires are you running? Personally I like a 28" tall tire (275/60/15). It fills my wheel well and keeps the crossmember and control arms a little higher off the road.

255 60 15 fronts and 275 60 15 rear

BR3W CITY · 02-13-2016, 01:43 AM

I'm around 4.5/6 dropped I run a 235/70/15 as a "I can find this cheap" tire, but my actual "ride height" is measured on a 235/60/15 front, and I run a chubby 325/50/15 rear.

@full weight on crap Nitro Drop shocks, I can scrape the skidplate hitting a bridge at 65 (on the rebound actually)

lost about 35lbs off the front, switched to Qa1s, haven't bottomed out since.

Good shocks and an aftermarket bumpstop will let you ride as low as you want.

BFoley · 02-13-2016, 12:40 PM

I don't think you are to low. Definitely low enough to be aware of drive entrance elevations and the like. Good looking stance and truck.

wjjeeper · 02-13-2016, 05:42 PM

My control arms are that low.
Drop your rear and the truck is on point.

vince1 · 02-13-2016, 06:55 PM

I thought my 68 short box looked about right after loading it with sand and the guy at the scales whips his window open and yells, "1.8 ton!".

vince1 · 02-13-2016, 11:07 PM

I shouldn't comment from the point of view of always looking at them as a work truck. On the other hand I saw one here in the casino lowered and all done up and it sure was a work of art.
I'd pick up the front an inch or two rather than lower it more in the back but this is from an obviously biased opinion.

vin63 · 02-14-2016, 12:40 AM

This is mine at full drop. I can still drive it if I lose air to my air springs, but I normally drive it with enough air pressure that raises the chassis a couple more inches than this:

BLUIDVL · 02-14-2016, 12:54 AM

Hey there neighbour....nah, never too low. Truck looks good. Just stay away from entering the Petro Can on 1st ave. I've been high centered....haha.

suburban99 · 02-15-2016, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUIDVL

Hey there neighbour....nah, never too low. Truck looks good. Just stay away from entering the Petro Can on 1st ave. I've been high centered....haha.

Yeah know that station well...all my trucks to date have been 4x4...this lowered stuff is new to me LOL..

**Palf70Step** · 02-15-2016, 08:03 AM

I have to be careful with mine (4.5/6 drop) 245/60 front, 275/60 rear. Dips will cause me to bottom out the rear at times and since I do drive gravel and dirt roads , I have to go slow so I don't scrap bottom. I love the looks of my truck, but if I ever redid it, I think I wouldn't go as low. I just like driving mine, everywhere, and sometimes it is more of a pain to have the lowered truck than not..

theastronaut · 02-16-2016, 01:16 PM

You're not too low...

It's almost too low when you haul all your buddies around and it's knocking reflectors off the road.

02-12-2016, 10:03 PM	#1
suburban99 Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Mission BC Posts: 452	How low is too low? Hey all, this is the first 2wd truck I have owned...am I too low for normal driving? I still have to install the windshield so I have not driven it too far yet. Just far enough to test the engine and tranny... Maybe someone with more experience can give me a measurement from ground to the control arms on their street driven truck? Truck has 2-1/2 drop spindles and 1-1/2 coils cut in the front. 5" drop coils in the rear I think. Attached Images

02-12-2016, 10:43 PM	#2
TopFuel1966 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 471	Re: How low is too low? Let the air out of all the tires and see if anything bottoms out.

02-13-2016, 12:21 AM	#3
Slow Build Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Delta Posts: 2,163	Re: How low is too low? What size tires are you running? Personally I like a 28" tall tire (275/60/15). It fills my wheel well and keeps the crossmember and control arms a little higher off the road. __________________ Name: Rich Current Ride: 1964 C-10 Short Fleetside Daily Driver: 2005 GMC crew cab short fleetside /2001 Chevy Tahoe Past GM Trucks: 1959 GMC short stepside 1968 GMC short stepside-4x4 1973 Chevy short stepside 1989 Chevy short fleetside-reg cab 1993 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab 2002 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab Save the dinosaurs, use synthetic oil.

02-13-2016, 01:43 AM	#5
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: How low is too low? I'm around 4.5/6 dropped I run a 235/70/15 as a "I can find this cheap" tire, but my actual "ride height" is measured on a 235/60/15 front, and I run a chubby 325/50/15 rear. @full weight on crap Nitro Drop shocks, I can scrape the skidplate hitting a bridge at 65 (on the rebound actually) lost about 35lbs off the front, switched to Qa1s, haven't bottomed out since. Good shocks and an aftermarket bumpstop will let you ride as low as you want. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

02-13-2016, 12:40 PM	#6
BFoley Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 155	Re: How low is too low? I don't think you are to low. Definitely low enough to be aware of drive entrance elevations and the like. Good looking stance and truck. __________________ '66 GMC K25 (305 V6, SM420) aka "Mabel" Link to project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698082 All gone - '66 CJ5, '69 C25, '69 C25 Camper Special, '79 C10 Big Ten/Bonanza, '84 K10 Silverado

02-13-2016, 05:42 PM	#7
wjjeeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cold Lake, AB Posts: 402	Re: How low is too low? My control arms are that low. Drop your rear and the truck is on point. __________________ Follow me on Instagram http://instagram.com/ryno._b

02-13-2016, 06:55 PM	#8
vince1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,170	Re: How low is too low? I thought my 68 short box looked about right after loading it with sand and the guy at the scales whips his window open and yells, "1.8 ton!".

02-13-2016, 11:07 PM	#9
vince1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,170	Re: How low is too low? I shouldn't comment from the point of view of always looking at them as a work truck. On the other hand I saw one here in the casino lowered and all done up and it sure was a work of art. I'd pick up the front an inch or two rather than lower it more in the back but this is from an obviously biased opinion.

02-14-2016, 12:40 AM	#10
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,262	Re: How low is too low? This is mine at full drop. I can still drive it if I lose air to my air springs, but I normally drive it with enough air pressure that raises the chassis a couple more inches than this: __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

02-14-2016, 12:54 AM	#11
BLUIDVL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: On a Mission in BC Posts: 156	Re: How low is too low? Hey there neighbour....nah, never too low. Truck looks good. Just stay away from entering the Petro Can on 1st ave. I've been high centered....haha.

02-15-2016, 08:03 AM	#13
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,226	Re: How low is too low? I have to be careful with mine (4.5/6 drop) 245/60 front, 275/60 rear. Dips will cause me to bottom out the rear at times and since I do drive gravel and dirt roads , I have to go slow so I don't scrap bottom. I love the looks of my truck, but if I ever redid it, I think I wouldn't go as low. I just like driving mine, everywhere, and sometimes it is more of a pain to have the lowered truck than not.. Attached Images __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

02-16-2016, 01:16 PM	#14
theastronaut Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 3,901	Re: How low is too low? You're not too low... It's almost too low when you haul all your buddies around and it's knocking reflectors off the road. __________________ Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc



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