Dropped my GMC...FINALLY!

[mercman1951]

Hi All,

I finally got my truck back after over a month: my buddy Gary is a mechanic and has access to a lift, and he agreed to install this kit on the side for me. He never did anything like this before, but I think he did a great job. He's very meticulous. Took a lot of leg work for parts on my end, and we finally got the right combo of calipers/pins (3 sets!), but I am fairly pleased with the results. Wheel refurbishing and some new shoes are next. Bodywork comes later.

Here's what it got:

McGaughy's Suspension Parts 2.5" Dropped Spindles
McGaughy's Suspension Parts 4.0" Shackle drop kit
New BelTech NITRO II shocks out back
New HD rotors
New HD bearing set
New hoses
New pads
New HD calipers

His questions were "were those wheels off a Suburban or something?" (They rub a bit when you hold the wheel over almost all the way, and the wheel weights on the inside of the rims-- he had to remove for clearance. They hit the spindles.) "What do I do with the brake hoses? Bend them?" (Yes.) "These pins don't contact the back of the caliper mounts, are there longer ones? (According to most, no...but the third set of "loaded calipers" I bought (Wagoners) had the right length bolts, but those calipers couldn't be used with the rotors. The front brakes became a nightmare!)

I like the stance for a static drop, but I think the rear still needs a bit more. What do you think/opinions?

[lolife99]

Looks good. You have the fever now. Once you start,... you always want it lower. The easiest way to lower the rear is remove the shackle/hanger kit, re-install the original hangers,... and install a flip kit. It's probably cheaper than your shackle/hanger kit. Or you could install drop leaf springs.(more money) Keep us posted!

[mercman1951]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Looks good. You have the fever now. Once you start,... you always want it lower. The easiest way to lower the rear is remove the shackle/hanger kit, re-install the original hangers,... and install a flip kit. It's probably cheaper than your shackle/hanger kit. Or you could install drop leaf springs.(more money) Keep us posted!

Thanks...Yeah, I just didn't want to get into a C-notch right off the bat with my other projects. I was looking for a more even drop, it still has a bit of a rake I wasn't expecting, but overall, it's fine for now. I have a full Air-Lift setup in the garage, but that's for the Lincury project, I swear!

[Square84]

looks good what kinda tonnuea cover is that?

[8T3GMC]

sweet man. I am doing to do the same thing to mine when I get the money.

[Mr79C10]

Looks good, What other plans do you have in mind?

[mercman1951]

Originally Posted by Square84

looks good what kinda tonnuea cover is that?

It's a LeBra, I think I got it from Whitney's. I'm very happy with it, no snaps!

[mercman1951]

Originally Posted by Mr79C10

Looks good, What other plans do you have in mind?

I have a full brand new dual exhaust setup waiting to go on, I just have to pick up some shorty headers yet...then I'll be on my back in the drive for a weekend. Haven't decided on mufflers yet...but I doubt I'll use the "turbo" ones that came with the kit. I'm leaning towards Borlas, with dumps tucked under the rear bumper.

Engine and trans were already gone thru and the truck runs great as is.

Interior only needs a dash pad (or cap).

Window motors are slow, might do those at some point.

The body has rot in the usual places, the worst being the cab corners... I am an ex-body shop guy so that's next on the list. I'm thinking some day I'll lose the two-tone; with the white walls, it looks especially "old man-ish".

Tires are in the future as well. This is just a parts chaser/Home Depot truck, so I don't want to go too crazy with mods, but I've always liked these trucks- this one was a honey of a deal I picked up last year, so I can justify throwing some coin at it to get it more into my "style".

Thanks guys-

[andresco50]

nice truck

[mercman1951]

Originally Posted by andresco50

nice truck

Thanks, it's getting there, slowly.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the front corner:

[chevymotocross]

Looks good. You are in the market for new tires. I'm guessing those are the factory sized 235/75/15 or 225/75/15 tires. I would replace them with a 255/70/15 tire, which may fill up those wheel wells just a tad more, and possibly make it "seem" like the truck is lower than it is now and may even minimize that rake.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Sweet looks great. Can't wait to see some tires and rims on that thing. Keep up the good work!

[SBTork]

I love it, that's the drop I am ordering for my '86 in the next few weeks. I say re-paint the stock rallys and for the a slightly bigger tire.

[72BlckButy]

Love the stance, it looks good!

[mercman1951]

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

Looks good. You are in the market for new tires. I'm guessing those are the factory sized 235/75/15 or 225/75/15 tires. I would replace them with a 255/70/15 tire, which may fill up those wheel wells just a tad more, and possibly make it "seem" like the truck is lower than it is now and may even minimize that rake.

Thanks, but nope- they already are 255/70/15's...

I don't like the rake. I took it for a long ride this weekend, and I decided I need the back lower (hauled stuff for a buddy). I want it to sit level front to back. Anybody have any opinions on how to get the back down a bit more? I don't want to go the c-notch/axle flip route if possible, I already have a shackle kit on it. Didn't drop as much as I'd hoped with that. Would lowered leafs with my shackle kit be my answer??? I don't have the original shackles anymore.

[Richard D]

I did a flip kit with no C-notch, no problems. I'd measure from the fender lip to the wheel, front and rear, and level them up. I did the flip kit-springs-spindles, and it sits level, but it doesn't look right to me because the front wheel lip is about an inch taller than the rear. Need to lower the front a bit; I'd never raise it to level it up!

[chevymotocross]

I don't think they make a small leaf spring drop, like a 1 or 2''. Usually they drop the rear 3-4. To level it out, without doing a flip kit, really your only other option would be to remove a leaf since you already have the shackles/hangers.

[CNC]

I pulled one of those home last week...for free, Didnt even have gas money involved. It was abandoned by a former employee at my dad's job, It sat there for over three years and the company called the guy and asked him what his plans were he said someone could have it. So I had the opportunity to be in the area with my tow dolley, I took a friends car to their mechanic so they paid for gas to and from, so on the way back I hooked on and drug it home. Only thing missing is the distrubitor, rear window and the steering colum. So its going to make a great parts truck for my Dad's '87 and my '81.