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Old 04-06-2007, 10:36 AM   #1
StepinNJ
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20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

A few weeks back I asked for some input on 20 inch wheels for my 79 GMC step side. I went with a 20X 8.5 wheel and 275-45-20 tires. Here is the truck so far. I removed the bed rails, wheel well moldings, bumper guards, and replaced the grill and headlight bezels. Now I am looking to lower it 2-3 inches in front and 4 inches in back. Any suggestions on what kit to use? I want to drive this a lot so I need a decent comfort level. This is a great site for info by the way.
Dave
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Old 04-06-2007, 10:45 AM   #2
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

HUGE difference! That looks so much better with all the clean up work and fresh wheels. I have alawys had good luck with DJM products. They are cheaper than BellTech and work just fine.
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Old 04-06-2007, 10:57 AM   #3
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

No advice on drop info. but you have one nice stepper.
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Old 04-06-2007, 11:20 AM   #4
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

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Old 04-06-2007, 11:45 AM   #5
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

man,that looks good...when you drop it,it's gonna look even better.
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Old 04-06-2007, 01:34 PM   #6
Malo83
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Real nice , yeah take out some of that altitude and swap out those Elephant ears for some sport mirrors and she'll be profiling, she looks good.
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Old 04-06-2007, 04:12 PM   #7
garysouthlake
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Ya gotta love the 20's. They really fill out the wheelwells. Looks great...
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Old 04-06-2007, 04:20 PM   #8
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

That's a GREAT lookin' stepper!!!

I agree with N2TRUX.....DJM is great quality.

I've also had great luck with Western Chassis stuff.
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Old 04-06-2007, 06:13 PM   #9
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

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That's a GREAT lookin' stepper!!!

I agree with N2TRUX.....DJM is great quality.

I've also had great luck with Western Chassis stuff.
Where is a good place to buy either???
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Old 04-06-2007, 06:24 PM   #10
68GMCCustom
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Nice truck!
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Old 04-06-2007, 06:47 PM   #11
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

summit, stylinconcepts...
grab a truckin' magazine and there are plenty of places to choose, tons of ads...lol
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Old 04-06-2007, 06:53 PM   #12
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

It's hard to beat www.summitracing.com unless you have a local vendor you want to support.
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Old 04-06-2007, 07:02 PM   #13
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Very nice truck.
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Old 04-06-2007, 07:05 PM   #14
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

I would use DjM 3" spindles in the front... get them from summit. out back you have a few options...
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Old 04-06-2007, 08:44 PM   #15
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

I went with McGaugheys, love there stuff, very nice stepper!
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Old 04-07-2007, 01:01 PM   #16
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

5 inch flip kit for the back and 3 inch spindles for the front trust me you want be dissapointed. If you want to you could use air shocks on the back and you could lift and lower the back about a inch and a half I did this on my 78 and I have no complaints and I even cut a half turn on my stock front spring and the ride is great.
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Old 04-07-2007, 05:15 PM   #17
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by smashingchuck View Post
I would use DjM 3" spindles in the front... get them from summit. out back you have a few options...
Question.
If I use drop spindles do I also need drop springs? Or do I retain the stock springs. The reason I ask is my truck leans to the right slightly in the front so I think I have a bad spring already. Since I need to replace them I was just going to go with a drop spring by itself. Just seems easier. If I need springs for the spindles do I get stock height or lowered?
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Old 04-07-2007, 06:37 PM   #18
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

You can run dropped spindles and stock springs. It's up to you if they need replaced which way to go.
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Old 04-09-2007, 02:52 PM   #19
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Good progress - StepinNJ.

Along with the suggestion of using Summit and Stylin Concepts, you could also consider Sportruck.com http://www.truckshop.com/catalog/63-...p-1-c-448.html.

For a mild drop, you could go with 3" drop spindles in front and 4" hangers and shackles out back. Depending on your axle to framerail clearance out back, (if you don't plan to haul anything to heavy and NJ roads are too bad), you may be able to get away with a 4"-6" drop using drop spindles and drop springs in front and a flip kit out back. This would get you closer the drop in pics of your previous thread.

BTW, you could also measure the distance between the lip on the LCA and the lip of the spring pocket of each side of the front to determine if one spring is sagging more than the other. Also, replacing your springs with new stock springs may actually raise the front a bit.
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Old 04-09-2007, 06:59 PM   #20
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

If your in S. Jersey, I can help you install your drop. Drop me a p.m.
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Old 04-09-2007, 08:14 PM   #21
StepinNJ
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Quote:
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If your in S. Jersey, I can help you install your drop. Drop me a p.m.
Funny, I bought the truck in Cape May in February.
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Old 04-10-2007, 12:58 AM   #22
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

OT
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Did you ever finish your 4 bar? If so, how's it working out?
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Old 04-10-2007, 06:49 AM   #23
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Very nice truck. I used 3" drop coils in dront with djm drop shocks and just air shocks in the beack, but then again i wanted a rake.
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Old 04-10-2007, 06:50 AM   #24
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

Oh sense you got bigger wheels itll be a bit higher than mine my tiny fifteens, they let the control arms almost hit the floor lol.
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Old 04-10-2007, 11:57 AM   #25
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Re: 20 inch tires for my 79 part 2

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Did you ever finish your 4 bar? If so, how's it working out?
Well things were at a stand still with having twin girls but have spent many hours this month finishing what I started.
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