Lowering w/ torsion bars? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ratrod60apache · 10-06-2005, 11:01 AM

I want to drop my 60 Apache 3" or so. It is equipped with torsion bar front suspension. Can I lower it with torsion adjustment alone, and is this a good way to lower it? Thanks!

Frizzle Fry · 10-06-2005, 11:20 AM

I got a pretty good front drop doing it on my '61 about ten years ago. Had a nice slight rake with 2.5" lowering blocks in the rear. Just don't back them off too far

Seon · 10-07-2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratrod60apache

Can I lower it with torsion adjustment alone, and is this a good way to lower it? Thanks!

Here's my '60 Burb that I lowered.

jchav62 · 10-12-2005, 04:39 PM

You can do it that way. Didn't I tell you! Poorboy style........Loser....

I got your back on this....

Chevyboy1962 · 10-12-2005, 05:44 PM

I lowered the front on my '62.

Before you start to lower the frontend, make sure that the frontend(wheels) is off the ground, so that the pressure is off the torsion bars, and make sure the threads have been soaked good in penitrating fluid. Then proceed to turn the 2 bolts counter clockwise(to the left) to lower the frontend.

I got the front on mint aout 5-6 inches in front, and in the rear I got 2 inch lowering blocks, and the coils are 2 inches shorter. From the side view of my truck, the front is lower than the back giving it a nice rake.

Pic
David

Chino77 · 04-17-2012, 07:06 AM

Ive got a 63 gmc shortbox with torsion bars I'm lowering, could really use your advice, get ahold of me Brian
Posted via Mobile Device

koda360 · 04-18-2012, 09:37 AM

It's not the "right" way to do it, but lowering it won't hurt them. May soften the ride some, but use stiffer shocks. You just don't want to lift a truck like that, no more than an inch or so. This puts too much tension on the bars, fatigues them, and they could break....

Ditto on the comment about the front wheels being off the ground!!!!

62 Barnfind · 04-18-2012, 10:26 AM

Has anybody put 2.5 lowering spindles with drum brakes and then adjusted the bars? Or do you have to change to a dis brake setup? I am planning on lowering my 62 in the future and want some ideas.

forestb · 04-18-2012, 10:35 PM

I have never seen of drop spindles for drums. I don't think any body makes them. Why would you? Then you couldn't make people buy the disk brake kit.

GWs62 · 04-19-2012, 12:37 AM

When I bought my truck the previous owner had lowered it nicely w/ the torsion bars. Since I wanted to upgrade to discs anyway, I went ahead and got the 2.5" drop spindles. Then I backed off on the t.b. somewhat. I don't think you can get a drop kit and keep the drums.

LostMy65 · 04-19-2012, 12:41 AM

some additional threads:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...torsion&page=2

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=torsion

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=torsion

10-06-2005, 11:01 AM	#1
Ratrod60apache Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 108	Lowering w/ torsion bars? I want to drop my 60 Apache 3" or so. It is equipped with torsion bar front suspension. Can I lower it with torsion adjustment alone, and is this a good way to lower it? Thanks! __________________ '66 C10 Longbed Stepside, 350, 4-speed

10-12-2005, 04:39 PM	#4
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	You can do it that way. Didn't I tell you! Poorboy style........Loser.... I got your back on this.... __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

10-12-2005, 05:44 PM	#5
Chevyboy1962 C10 now is a GMC Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Modesto, Ca Posts: 740	I lowered the front on my '62. Before you start to lower the frontend, make sure that the frontend(wheels) is off the ground, so that the pressure is off the torsion bars, and make sure the threads have been soaked good in penitrating fluid. Then proceed to turn the 2 bolts counter clockwise(to the left) to lower the frontend. I got the front on mint aout 5-6 inches in front, and in the rear I got 2 inch lowering blocks, and the coils are 2 inches shorter. From the side view of my truck, the front is lower than the back giving it a nice rake. Pic David __________________ 1962 C10 swb fleetside, big window, custom cab 350/TH350 combo...Hot Rod 1963 C10 lwb fleetside, small window 230/4 speed...Blvd Cruiser *1931 Ford 5 window coupe (soon to be Hot Rod)... Father & Son project

04-17-2012, 07:06 AM	#6
Chino77 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Grand rapids mi Posts: 3	Re: Lowering w/ torsion bars? Ive got a 63 gmc shortbox with torsion bars I'm lowering, could really use your advice, get ahold of me Brian Posted via Mobile Device

04-18-2012, 09:37 AM	#7
koda360 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: White Cottage, Oh. Posts: 99	Re: Lowering w/ torsion bars? It's not the "right" way to do it, but lowering it won't hurt them. May soften the ride some, but use stiffer shocks. You just don't want to lift a truck like that, no more than an inch or so. This puts too much tension on the bars, fatigues them, and they could break.... Ditto on the comment about the front wheels being off the ground!!!! __________________ 1960 C-10 2000 Dakota R/T 1966 Fury I 2dr post 1984 Big Bronco 2002 Durango SLT (Bride's Ride)

10-06-2005, 11:20 AM	#2
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	I got a pretty good front drop doing it on my '61 about ten years ago. Had a nice slight rake with 2.5" lowering blocks in the rear. Just don't back them off too far

04-18-2012, 10:26 AM	#8
62 Barnfind Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salado, Tx Posts: 1,374	Re: Lowering w/ torsion bars? Has anybody put 2.5 lowering spindles with drum brakes and then adjusted the bars? Or do you have to change to a dis brake setup? I am planning on lowering my 62 in the future and want some ideas.

04-18-2012, 10:35 PM	#9
forestb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 3,619	Re: Lowering w/ torsion bars? I have never seen of drop spindles for drums. I don't think any body makes them. Why would you? Then you couldn't make people buy the disk brake kit.

04-19-2012, 12:37 AM	#10
GWs62 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: portland, OR Posts: 56	Re: Lowering w/ torsion bars? When I bought my truck the previous owner had lowered it nicely w/ the torsion bars. Since I wanted to upgrade to discs anyway, I went ahead and got the 2.5" drop spindles. Then I backed off on the t.b. somewhat. I don't think you can get a drop kit and keep the drums. __________________ When was the last time you did something for the first time? We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

04-19-2012, 12:41 AM	#11
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Lowering w/ torsion bars? some additional threads: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...torsion&page=2 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=torsion http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=torsion __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035



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