5/7 static drop on a 79 1/2 ton will it rub?

[Mtrhd329]

I am looking at putting a 5/7 drop on my 79 1/2 ton stepside. currently I am running with a PO budget drop that looks to be maybe cut coils and leafs removed. I have 15x8's and 295/65/15's and was wondering if I will rub with a drop that low. Also will i have to notch the bed. i have seen some trucks with a 7" on the rear using a flip kit and shackles that shaved the bumpstops and had adequate clearance.

[lolife99]

If the tires are inside the fenders,... they will not rub. A 295 is pretty wide for the front. Too tall of front tire will also rub the inner fenders on big "bumps" in the road. I would run a c-notch in the back with a 7" drop. You will also need some quality drop shocks on all four corners. Use 3" spindles and 2" drop springs on the front,... and a flip kit in the rear. If you want the back lower,... add a shackle later. Good luck.

[slug]

I Droped My Truck 5/7 And I Didn't Notch The Frame. You Do Need To Remove The Factory Bump Stops( Flip Kit Should Come With New Ones), If You Run Drop Shackles, Be Prepared To Notch One Of The Cross Members On The Under Side Of The Bed On Either Side(NOT SURE ABOUT THE STEPSIDE). As For The Tires, I Think Your Gonna Rub. I Have 235-60-15's On The Front And They Are A Tight Fit, They Are On A 9" Wide Rim, The Back I Have 295-50-15 Also On A 9" Rim And They Are About 1/2 Inch From The Fender Lip.

[SCOTI]

To accurately answer your questions, more info is needed. 296-65/15's all the way around? What wheel offset/backspacing?

My 74 has a 5/7 drop. I bottom out on the frame rails @ the axle housings & the front bumpstops hit the crossmember frequently. My front tires are < 27" tall & my rears are approx 29". Neither front or rear rub against the fender-lips or inner sheetmetal. I did not have to notch the bed-floor braces for shackle clearance either.

So it is possible to have a 5/7 drop & not rub; if you have a combination that allows.

[lolife99]

Notching the "bed floor brace" will depend on which length leaf sping your truck has. I belive there is a 52" and a 56" rear spring. (this is measured spring eye to spring eye, I believe,... OR,... It could be total length.)

[Mtrhd329]

Sorry yes I have the 295's all the way around. Not sure on the rims but I am 75% sure they are 15x8's. They are from the PO. How many "leafs" should I have in the leaf spring? I have three and I have ben looking at some other trucks and they have 5-7? Will this conflict with the flip kit? Sorry for the questions just dont wanna drop it and find out I have to do a lot of cutting. This is going to be a daily driver soon.

[lolife99]

I think 5 to 7 leaves is the norm. They must have pulled some out of your leaf spring pack. The flip kit will still work and drive the same as you have now. I think you have to decide which is more important to YOU. The wheels? Or the lowered stance of the truck. Most people have the wheels first. This can cause problems when you lower your truck. If you want it low,... then lower it and find some wheels that will work,... If yours won't. Decisions, decisions,....

[Mtrhd329]

lol...I got ya. I had this truck in high school (8years ago) and Its been sitting in a field until a few weeks ago. Im not to worried about changing things just dont wanna do too much welding as that is one thign i cant do yet. I took a pic of the front wheel, and one of the truck on stands but it is still sitting at normal height. It looks like a lot of room...for now.

[SCOTI]

Those look like 8" wheels w/4" back-spacing. A 5" front drop w/that offset will be close to the fender-lip if not touching when turning.

[Mtrhd329]

So if they hit after I put the drop on then would a 3" backspacing be ok to correct it. Or does somethign else need to be done for that.

Also if I find that I bottom out in the rear and need a C-notch is there one that is simple for me to install. I have been told there are c-notch's that you slide over the frame drill your holes and bolt it in. The nall you have to di is cut out the notch part. Is this accurate?

[SCOTI]

So if they hit after I put the drop on then would a 3" backspacing be ok to correct it. Or does somethign else need to be done for that.

You would want more back spacing (4.5 ~5").

Also if I find that I bottom out in the rear and need a C-notch is there one that is simple for me to install. I have been told there are c-notch's that you slide over the frame drill your holes and bolt it in. The nall you have to di is cut out the notch part. Is this accurate?

Bell Tech, Western Chassis, & DJM all make 'bolt-in' type rear c-sections.

[Mtrhd329]

sounds good. thanks for all of the help!!

[lolife99]

Just remember,... more backspacing, (with 15" wheels), might require you to go to a larger diameter rim. The contact point is the lower control arm/balljoint area. I run a 17x8 on the front with a 5" backspace.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Just remember,... more backspacing, (with 15" wheels), might require you to go to a larger diameter rim. The contact point is the lower control arm/balljoint area. I run a 17x8 on the front with a 5" backspace.

True. I used 15x6.5's to avoid excess back-spacing issues.

[slug]

Another Thing To Consider Is That If You Run A Drop Spindle With A 15" Rim, You May Have To Grind On The Caliper Mount Do Get The Front Wheels To Fit

[Mtrhd329]

Ya Im planning on running a 3" drop spindle and a 2" drop spring. Sounds like it might be easier to run a little smaller width rim in the front to avoid the rubbing? Maybe a 6 or 7" wide rim. Would I be able to keep the backspacing the same as the rear then? Not sure how rims with two diff backspacings look.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Mtrhd329

Ya Im planning on running a 3" drop spindle and a 2" drop spring. Sounds like it might be easier to run a little smaller width rim in the front to avoid the rubbing? Maybe a 6 or 7" wide rim. Would I be able to keep the backspacing the same as the rear then? Not sure how rims with two diff backspacings look.

Staggered widths are a standard in the 'custom' car scene. Just keep the front 'dish' equal or make sure the rears have a little more dish if possible.

[Mtrhd329]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Staggered widths are a standard in the 'custom' car scene.

Ya I know thats the standard. I always liked the way the truck had big meats all the way around and Ive always loved the 15's on this truck. Cant stand the huge 20's and whatnot just doesnt flow. But hey I'm just a kid right? We will see how it all looks when I get back home. Just found out that my uncle (sam) wants me to go back to work for him so I'm not sure if i can take my truck with me where I will be
Hopefully they have junkyards overseas, if not I wont have a pasttime.