Lowering question..wanna make sure. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

raider65 · 01-14-2011, 02:52 AM

I have a 71 c10 LWB. I wanna lower it down a bit. I'm thinking of using drop springs. The question I have is do I measure from the top of the tire to the top curve of the wheel well or do i measure from the top of the tire to the actual inside of the wheel well? I really don't wanna get into drop spindles just the coils..kinda on a budget. I don't wanna lay frame just want a little drop but that is drivable. Thanks

Mike Bradbury · 01-14-2011, 03:00 AM

Much more drop than two inches on a spring and you will have a pretty rough ride and you might run into alignment issues. The tire is about 4" from the apex of the wheel well on a stock set up, and there is acres of space inside the wheel well and you will not have to worry about any clearance with such a mild lowering.

raider65 · 01-14-2011, 11:28 AM

So will i measure from the top apex of the wheel opening to the top of the tire, to detremine how many inches i want to go down?

SCOTI · 01-14-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raider65

So will i measure from the top apex of the wheel opening to the top of the tire, to detremine how many inches i want to go down?

There's more than one correct answer. How ever you go about it, your measuring for the reduction of current space whether it's the space between the top of the tire & the wheel well lip or the space between the lower control arm pivot to the ground.

The easiest view is the gap between the top of the tire & the wheel well lip. The variance here is different height tires yield different results w/the same drop (a 2" drop on these trucks w/a 25" tall tire will look different vs. a 2" drop w/27.5" tall tires) so it's something you have to keep in mind.

raider65 · 01-14-2011, 12:16 PM

Thanks guys...

Mike Bradbury · 01-14-2011, 03:31 PM

Remember that tires are temporary, the fender and the ground reletionship are constant. Measure from the apex of the fender well to the ground to get a pre-lowering height, then determine what size spring you need and install it. Drive it up the block and back to settle the suspension then into the same spot you first measured it. Should be close to your estimation of drop. Then take it to the alignment shop.

**lolife99** · 01-14-2011, 10:13 PM

Remember a 2" drop spring is 2" lower than a new stock height spring.
(not your 40 year old springs, that are probably sagging)
I doubt adding a 2" drop spring to your truck will yield a 2" drop.
Probably more like a 1" drop compared to what you have now.

01-14-2011, 02:52 AM	#1
raider65 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brownsville, Texas Posts: 240	Lowering question..wanna make sure. I have a 71 c10 LWB. I wanna lower it down a bit. I'm thinking of using drop springs. The question I have is do I measure from the top of the tire to the top curve of the wheel well or do i measure from the top of the tire to the actual inside of the wheel well? I really don't wanna get into drop spindles just the coils..kinda on a budget. I don't wanna lay frame just want a little drop but that is drivable. Thanks __________________ It's not rust...It's character!

01-14-2011, 03:00 AM	#2
Mike Bradbury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego California Posts: 1,316	Re: Lowering question..wanna make sure. Much more drop than two inches on a spring and you will have a pretty rough ride and you might run into alignment issues. The tire is about 4" from the apex of the wheel well on a stock set up, and there is acres of space inside the wheel well and you will not have to worry about any clearance with such a mild lowering. __________________ I'd rather attempt something great and fail.. than try something ordinary and succeed. Norman Vincent Peale Project: Barn Raising http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414961 Project: 30 Be Low https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=830583

01-14-2011, 11:28 AM	#3
raider65 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brownsville, Texas Posts: 240	Re: Lowering question..wanna make sure. So will i measure from the top apex of the wheel opening to the top of the tire, to detremine how many inches i want to go down? __________________ It's not rust...It's character!

01-14-2011, 12:16 PM	#5
raider65 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brownsville, Texas Posts: 240	Re: Lowering question..wanna make sure. Thanks guys... __________________ It's not rust...It's character!

01-14-2011, 03:31 PM	#6
Mike Bradbury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego California Posts: 1,316	Re: Lowering question..wanna make sure. Remember that tires are temporary, the fender and the ground reletionship are constant. Measure from the apex of the fender well to the ground to get a pre-lowering height, then determine what size spring you need and install it. Drive it up the block and back to settle the suspension then into the same spot you first measured it. Should be close to your estimation of drop. Then take it to the alignment shop. __________________ I'd rather attempt something great and fail.. than try something ordinary and succeed. Norman Vincent Peale Project: Barn Raising http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414961 Project: 30 Be Low https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=830583

01-14-2011, 10:13 PM	#7
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: Lowering question..wanna make sure. Remember a 2" drop spring is 2" lower than a new stock height spring. (not your 40 year old springs, that are probably sagging) I doubt adding a 2" drop spring to your truck will yield a 2" drop. Probably more like a 1" drop compared to what you have now. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 Last edited by lolife99; 01-14-2011 at 10:14 PM.



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