conflicting alignment reports

[bowtiebreece]

I am considering droping my 72 long bed truck from stock height using 3 inch springs in the front. After calling a couple of the companies that sell springs on this site I am getting conflicting reports. Some are saying I cant drop it using 3 inch springs and keep an alignment some are saying I should be fine. Can anyone give me a definative answer?

[jimmydean]

Any time you drop the front (non-spindle), the alignment will change. It might not change enough to require adjustment, but something will change.

When I installed my bags, my camber adjustment went positive, most go negative when you drop it. It's best to get everything installed, the drive straight to an alignment shop and have it at least checked. You can also do it yourself if you know how, but I have a shop that's 4 blocks away.

[bowtiebreece]

so if I drop it and take it to an alignment shop I should be alright?

[jimmydean]

Any good alignment shop should be able to hook you up unless there are issues like warn ball joints/busings/tie rod ends and whatnot.

[SCOTI]

Not every alignment shop is "up to speed" on aligning lowered vehicles. Go to the alignment shop you plan to use & talk to the man that's going to do the work.

You might get some guy that doesn't like doing lowered vehicles & he'll tell you it "can't be done". That's not the guy you want. Find the alignment guy that's a gearhead & has experience w/dropped vehicles & see what he says.

From personal experience, 67-72's w/3" drop springs up front can be aligned. You might be close to the limit on shims but it can be done.

[powell72]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You might get some guy that doesn't like doing lowered vehicles & he'll tell you it "can't be done". That's not the guy you want. Find the alignment guy that's a gearhead & has experience w/dropped vehicles & see what he says.

I couldn't agree more, you'll find that there are plenty of those types of alignment guys around that are too close-minded to tackle a lowered vehicle. The shop around the corner from ours that does our alignments is the same way. He'll do mine since he knows me, but I took my buddy's '98 with a 5/7 drop for an alignment and he quickly said it couldn't be done. Later that day it was properly aligned by another shop.

[royo]

Originally Posted by bowtiebreece

I am considering droping my 72 long bed truck from stock height using 3 inch springs in the front. After calling a couple of the companies that sell springs on this site I am getting conflicting reports. Some are saying I cant drop it using 3 inch springs and keep an alignment some are saying I should be fine. Can anyone give me a definative answer?

why not cut 1 coil at a time on the stock spring that will lower it alot i did not like the 3 inch spring thats 3 inchs and however much wieght you put on it - slam