help lowering a '90 Burb

[bigblock73]

OK gang, looking to lower my 1990 R1500 Suburban, and need some help. I want a mild drop, 3/3 (or 3/2) or so. What is the best way to drop the back 2-3 inches? I looked for lowered shackles, couldn't find any. I would prefer not to buy new leaf springs...or take leafs out of the current ones. Any ideas?

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Flip kit in the rear and drop spindles up front. Bell tech is pretty good products

[bigblock73]

I don't want a 5" drop in back, that is my only problem. Looking for 2-3".

And yes, I like BT components, it is what I have in Yeller.

[tvblazer78]

I think you can use 2" drop shackles that works on a truck, my blazer has them on it..

[GMBowtie79]

you could use a flip kit with the stock shackles. that should drop it about 31/2 to 4" depending on the thickness of your leafsprings. on the burbs the factory ride hight is about 2" higher in the back than the front.

[bigblock73]

Will there be any floor clearance issues with drop shackles?

[GMBowtie79]

there shouldn't be I have a 61/2" drop with no floor clearance issues. Mines a flip kit with 2" shackles

[lolife99]

Hey jeff. My old '91 'burb was dropped 5" in the front and 4" in the back. It seems like I remember the front setting a little higher than the back, when it was stock. I used 3" spindles, 2" springs up front,... and a 4" dropped leaf out back. I know you don't want to use a dropped leaf spring,... but I thought it was the easiest. I got mine fron Chisholm Suspension, (which is now out of business). I had a buddy that had a dropped '85 'burb at the same time,... and he had a flip kit on the rear (which set low and looked good,... but it was always banging the floor). I think he ended up putting a 4x4 rear spring hanger on it to raise it up a little. The 'burbs can cause you problems with the "center section" of the rearend hitting the floor. The frame is a little different than a pickup. My 4" drop worked fine. (I think I removed the rear bumpstops and brackets from the frame). It was a daily driver until I got rid of it. Here's an old pic.

[drillingmachine]

I did a 3/2 on my suburban because the front a little higher than the back and I wanted an even stance. I used 3" drop coils and 2" drop shackles for the rear. Both I got from summitracing. the link for the shackles is http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku

coils
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku
even though they say summit racing brand, they are ground force brand that they send you. the only real problem that you will find installing the driverside shackle, is that you will have to cut the bolt because GM in their infinite wisdom installed too long of a bolt that has no room to be backed out. I used a sawzall and lots of pulling and tugging and cuting some more.

[bigblock73]

Thanks for the help fellas. I think I'll go with a 2.5/2 drop. Spindles up front, shackles in back. It is really a mild drop, but I just want something a little lower for cheap. My wife is sort of against me lowering it...I don't think she'll notice such a mild drop.

Neat old Burb Keith!

[Captkaos]

Chisholm suspension is still in business, they just don't advertise anymore.

I thought you were going to get rid of the burb Jeff?

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

I thought you were going to get rid of the burb Jeff?

We were, but we need two vehicle for child transport purposes...and don't want to spend big bucks just yet on a new vehicle. Besides, now that I got it running...it runs and drives MUCH better than I thought it would. We will probabaly keep it thru the end of the year, then sell it for something different/newer.

[Captkaos]

Gotcha!

[lolife99]

Not to hijack the thread,... Chris,... a couple of years ago I tried to contact Chisolm Suspension to get some leaf springs for my '91 S10 that I have now. All the old phone numbers were no good,... and I couldn't find them on the net. I love their drop leaf springs! They reverse the spring eyes and make them with the same "load carrying" spring rate. I would love to have their number if you have it. I have purchased 4 sets of leaf springs from them in the past,... and no other company compares. Thanks, lolife99.

[Captkaos]

I got spring from them about 2 years ago that his son Steve (Steve's Suspension - he had the autocrossing 454ss..) custom built for me for autoxing. I will look it up and get you the number. It will probably be this weekend though... Shoot me an email to remind me.

[BGRAFX]

Is this the only info on lowering suburbans? does anyone have a build thread? Mine is a 91 2wd thanks