lowering the truck and questions.

[1969stepside]

So i have a 1969 c10 that i have lowered. i used drop spindls in the front 2inch maybe 2-1/2 with stock oe gm springs. in the rear i have eibach rear lowering coils 3 inches. the tank has ben relocated to the rear and it its a stepside bed. well the back of the truck with the bed on it sits a little hig for my taste. i want the truck to have a level stance or even stance. do i need to put a 4 inch spring in the rear or something else. should i use a 1 or 2 inch lowering block? i def do not want to c notch the frame at all. i dont really want to mess with the geomotery of the suspension. i also keep seeing pinion angle on a lowered truck i know what that is but not sure what to do about it. any help would be welcomed.

[raggedjim]

To go level you will probably need to go 5 or 6 inches in the rear. Since you have 3" in the rear already then a 2 inch block will be the cheapest way to get 5. If you want 6 you will have to buy 6" springs (or 4" with a 2" block).

Most people will tell you to c-notch at 6". Probably good advice, but I'm at 6" on my Blazer (4" springs, 2" blocks) and don't have a c-notch and have only bottomed it out twice in 20 years.

Good luck, Rg

[1969stepside]

i got a set of 4 inch springs as well sould i use blocks? what is the number of inches to make the truck sit level?

[raggedjim]

I can't know, it's not an exact science with these old trucks. Some people have said that a 4" drop in the rear leveled out their truck with stock springs and spindles in the front, but with 50 year old springs who knows if they are still holding the front at stock height.

I wish there was an easy answer for this, but if there is I don't know it.

Good luck, Rg

[1969stepside]

the other thing i am curious about is pinion angle and shims for lowering blocks

[1969stepside]

also would blocks and springs affect the ride quality?

[old51sedan]

I believe a lot of us wonder what is the right way to go.I went the same route with my step side. I lowed the front same way you did, then used 4" springs in the rear, it sat to low for me so replaced with the 3" which I like a lot better. I also have the tank in rear, once you get gas in the tank and the springs settle a little you may like it better. I'll see if I have a picture of mine. Hard to tell from a picture, also one of tank fill door.

[1969stepside]

yeah i like that stance

[1969stepside]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

I believe a lot of us wonder what is the right way to go.I went the same route with my step side. I lowed the front same way you did, then used 4" springs in the rear, it sat to low for me so replaced with the 3" which I like a lot better. I also have the tank in rear, once you get gas in the tank and the springs settle a little you may like it better. I'll see if I have a picture of mine. Hard to tell from a picture, also one of tank fill door.

did you just use rear lowering springs?

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by 1969stepside

did you just use rear lowering springs?

Yes, I just used the 3" springs. I had also bought the kit for the pinion angle but didn't seem to need it. I also bought a shock relocation kit, but later took that back off and used the originals.

[1969stepside]

and how is the ride? is it smooth or rough

[Wikid61]

Originally Posted by 1969stepside

and how is the ride? is it smooth or rough

You need to research spring rates & shocks you can afford.

[1969stepside]

the shocks on it now are facory monroe sensatrc shocks front and rear