Driving me nuts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

moose666 · 06-23-2011, 06:30 PM

okay hey everybody this is my first time posting and it may seem like a silly problem but i just cant figure it out. okay i baught a 78 gmc shortbox stepside that was already lowered and as i am to understand it has 2.5" drop spindles with a 1" drop coil. my problem is it cam with some funky 70's mags on it so i baught a set of stock rally rims had them painted and wrapped with rubber. the problem began when i went to put them on the truck. they went on ok but when i let the truck off the jack and when to move the truck it cleared the wheel weights off and was digging the end of the a arm into the rim. i see tons of lowered trucks like mine running stock rims and i just cant figure out why mine are giving me so much trouble. the rims by the way are stock 15" by 8" wide with 4.5" backspacing. so any help with this is most appreciated

**Palf70Step** · 06-23-2011, 07:53 PM

I know on my 70 i had to shave/grind the edges of the lower a-arm so that 15" wheels would not rub. I believe that is pretty standard practice with *8" wide wheels. I believe the narrower wheels don't need that.

1LowToy · 06-23-2011, 07:58 PM

Well first of all we need to see pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well here the other bad news. You likely have 3" spindles and who knows how much spring. I did nearly the same to mine. I was with the 3" spindle and 3/4s of a coil cut off and it made the control arm come way too far down onto the wheel.

Corrections were a 3/16" wheel spacer and a stock spring. And still had to grind some off the lower control arm. Careful don't get carried away or it will collapse.

Oh and we need pictures!!!!!!

Wecome to the forum

rwhit57 · 06-23-2011, 08:32 PM

Yes it's very common with 15" wheels, and yes again, you don't want to take off too much. Don't get into the radius of the arm. I had to take off quite a bit on this truck, but plenty of miles and no problem. I have never had to cut off this much, but it was to clear the old American 200s mags and they are 15"X7" . I take a die grinder and a cut-off wheel to remove whats necessary and then clean it up.

moose666 · 06-23-2011, 10:29 PM

thanks guys i appreciate all the info and ill get pics up asap

1LowToy · 06-23-2011, 10:45 PM

My truck is a garage queen at the moment. I plan on beefing up the control arm to prevent collapse. It has happened but nobody is fessing up with pics

.

moose666 · 06-23-2011, 11:01 PM

i thought another way to get around it was also to move up to the tube style a arms

06-23-2011, 06:30 PM	#1
moose666 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: vancouver bc Posts: 12	Driving me nuts okay hey everybody this is my first time posting and it may seem like a silly problem but i just cant figure it out. okay i baught a 78 gmc shortbox stepside that was already lowered and as i am to understand it has 2.5" drop spindles with a 1" drop coil. my problem is it cam with some funky 70's mags on it so i baught a set of stock rally rims had them painted and wrapped with rubber. the problem began when i went to put them on the truck. they went on ok but when i let the truck off the jack and when to move the truck it cleared the wheel weights off and was digging the end of the a arm into the rim. i see tons of lowered trucks like mine running stock rims and i just cant figure out why mine are giving me so much trouble. the rims by the way are stock 15" by 8" wide with 4.5" backspacing. so any help with this is most appreciated

06-23-2011, 07:53 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,223	Re: Driving me nuts I know on my 70 i had to shave/grind the edges of the lower a-arm so that 15" wheels would not rub. I believe that is pretty standard practice with 8" wide wheels. I believe the narrower wheels don't need that. __________________ Bill* 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

06-23-2011, 07:58 PM	#3
1LowToy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sonora California Posts: 860	Re: Driving me nuts Well first of all we need to see pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well here the other bad news. You likely have 3" spindles and who knows how much spring. I did nearly the same to mine. I was with the 3" spindle and 3/4s of a coil cut off and it made the control arm come way too far down onto the wheel. Corrections were a 3/16" wheel spacer and a stock spring. And still had to grind some off the lower control arm. Careful don't get carried away or it will collapse. Oh and we need pictures!!!!!! Wecome to the forum Last edited by 1LowToy; 06-23-2011 at 08:11 PM.

06-23-2011, 08:32 PM	#4
rwhit57 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Tulsa,Okla Posts: 590	Re: Driving me nuts Yes it's very common with 15" wheels, and yes again, you don't want to take off too much. Don't get into the radius of the arm. I had to take off quite a bit on this truck, but plenty of miles and no problem. I have never had to cut off this much, but it was to clear the old American 200s mags and they are 15"X7" . I take a die grinder and a cut-off wheel to remove whats necessary and then clean it up. Last edited by rwhit57; 06-23-2011 at 08:33 PM.

06-23-2011, 10:29 PM	#5
moose666 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: vancouver bc Posts: 12	Re: Driving me nuts thanks guys i appreciate all the info and ill get pics up asap Last edited by moose666; 06-23-2011 at 10:31 PM.

06-23-2011, 10:45 PM	#6
1LowToy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sonora California Posts: 860	Re: Driving me nuts My truck is a garage queen at the moment. I plan on beefing up the control arm to prevent collapse. It has happened but nobody is fessing up with pics.

06-23-2011, 11:01 PM	#7
moose666 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: vancouver bc Posts: 12	Re: Driving me nuts i thought another way to get around it was also to move up to the tube style a arms



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