Ground clearance/drop question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RockHQ · 03-05-2004, 02:28 PM

Okay here's the deal. Our government mandates a minimum of 8 CM, or 3.15 inches of ground clearance for all vehicles, this measurement is taken from the lowest point of a vehicle's chassis, or any integral part of the vehicle underbody.
Now since i'll be lowering my 79 C-10, i'd need to know just how low i really can go and still be street legal.

I'd really appreciate if someone with a 3/5 or 4/6 drop (or more)could measure the distance between ground and the lowest part of the frame/suspension, whatever is the lowest point?

Right now i'm thinking of running 15x8 wheels with 255/60/15 front & 275/60/15 rear. Hopefully i can get away with a 4/6 drop, but if not something else will have to do.

Thanks,

-Axle

**Captkaos** · 03-05-2004, 02:34 PM

4/6 should be fine. In fact 5/7 should be ok also. I know I can get a floor jack under my 4.5/6 drop and it is over 5" tall. The lowest points of our trucks is not the crossmember, it is the lower control arm mounting points.

RockHQ · 03-05-2004, 02:58 PM

Well that didn't take long

Thanks Chris!

To continue this subject a bit further, If i were to install air bags, what would be a preferable setup assuming i would want to have around 4" of clearance with the bags deflated? I will be installing a parallel 4-link kit, possibly drop spindles, just have to know what my options are.

**Captkaos** · 03-05-2004, 06:00 PM

Well, you would probably want to skip the drop components in the front. This is a pic of my bag setup without spindles with the bags deflated.

http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/image...-matchbox1.jpg

This is running 235/70/15 tires. So, in the front you would want to have a taller bottom cup than I do, as in about 3" taller.

low 84 · 03-05-2004, 08:34 PM

with a 5/7 drop and 255/60/15's i have right about 3 inches of ground clearence under my lower control arms. so you should be fine going with a 4/6.

03-05-2004, 02:28 PM	#1
RockHQ ROCKET POWER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Finland, Europe Posts: 509	Ground clearance/drop question Okay here's the deal. Our government mandates a minimum of 8 CM, or 3.15 inches of ground clearance for all vehicles, this measurement is taken from the lowest point of a vehicle's chassis, or any integral part of the vehicle underbody. Now since i'll be lowering my 79 C-10, i'd need to know just how low i really can go and still be street legal. I'd really appreciate if someone with a 3/5 or 4/6 drop (or more)could measure the distance between ground and the lowest part of the frame/suspension, whatever is the lowest point? Right now i'm thinking of running 15x8 wheels with 255/60/15 front & 275/60/15 rear. Hopefully i can get away with a 4/6 drop, but if not something else will have to do. Thanks, -Axle __________________ What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild

03-05-2004, 02:34 PM	#2
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	4/6 should be fine. In fact 5/7 should be ok also. I know I can get a floor jack under my 4.5/6 drop and it is over 5" tall. The lowest points of our trucks is not the crossmember, it is the lower control arm mounting points. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

03-05-2004, 02:58 PM	#3
RockHQ ROCKET POWER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Finland, Europe Posts: 509	Well that didn't take long Thanks Chris! To continue this subject a bit further, If i were to install air bags, what would be a preferable setup assuming i would want to have around 4" of clearance with the bags deflated? I will be installing a parallel 4-link kit, possibly drop spindles, just have to know what my options are. __________________ What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild

03-05-2004, 06:00 PM	#4
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Well, you would probably want to skip the drop components in the front. This is a pic of my bag setup without spindles with the bags deflated. http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/image...-matchbox1.jpg This is running 235/70/15 tires. So, in the front you would want to have a taller bottom cup than I do, as in about 3" taller. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

03-05-2004, 08:34 PM	#5
low 84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,144	with a 5/7 drop and 255/60/15's i have right about 3 inches of ground clearence under my lower control arms. so you should be fine going with a 4/6. __________________ '51 F100, backhalf with a narrowed 9 and coil overs, 18.5" mickeys, monte front clip, +400" sbc in the works '05 1500 Crew Cab RIP '84 swb 5/7 drop, solid cammed 408 w/ fully ported dart heads, th350 w/ 10 inch hughes, 12 bolt w/ 3.73 richmonds and a locker '80 swb 4x4 in progress: 7" lift, 350 th350/np205, d44 and 1.5" ORD tie rod, 14BFF w/discs , armored diff covers, 40" MTR's

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