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Old 09-06-2012, 10:55 AM   #1
Jonboy
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Re: low as possible

Thanks for the props, guys. I need to get the truck out and drive it a bit before I tear it all back apart.

Cory, the 3/4 ton springs are heavier to carry the weight of a big block and heavier frame. The spring rate is a lot higher, making them stiffer. Ideally, I want to change out the rear suspension in my truck to the earlier "truck arm" setup, similar to a 60-72. It will happen (hopefully) eventually.
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Old 09-06-2012, 07:45 PM   #2
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Re: low as possible

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Thanks for the props, guys. I need to get the truck out and drive it a bit before I tear it all back apart.

Cory, the 3/4 ton springs are heavier to carry the weight of a big block and heavier frame. The spring rate is a lot higher, making them stiffer. Ideally, I want to change out the rear suspension in my truck to the earlier "truck arm" setup, similar to a 60-72. It will happen (hopefully) eventually.
Haha just about got confused which Cory you were talking to haha

Ideally for handling you want the rear softer. The front softer as well and run big sway bars. And for high speeds you want stiffer springs and softer bars
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Old 09-19-2012, 02:55 AM   #3
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Re: low as possible

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Haha just about got confused which Cory you were talking to haha

Ideally for handling you want the rear softer. The front softer as well and run big sway bars. And for high speeds you want stiffer springs and softer bars
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I have a 1/2 ton sway bar on my that i put on and 1/2 ton coils with 2 cut out. tomorrow i might grab 3/4 ton coils from northwest auto recyclers or pick n pull. I hae a bigger sway bar off a 3/4 ton that i can try too, i just need new bushings for it. And maybe get some kyb gas-a-just in the front. I have some monroe gas magnums in there now but they are pretty old and worn. would it be worth it to takesome leafs out? Right now i have 5 with the overload and they still have allot of arch
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Old 09-06-2012, 11:09 AM   #4
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Re: low as possible

i may just try that then. i noticed a big differenence after swapping the th350 out for the sm465, that thing is a giant chunk of iron. with 2 dirtbikes in it, it will hit the frame so i will have to notch it too i guess

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Old 09-06-2012, 01:40 PM   #5
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Re: low as possible

Mine's a 4.5" front, 6" rear drop from McGaughy's, but it measures a lot more drop than advertised. I'm on 255/40 20s in front and I just barely rub the driver's side inner fender on nasty bumps. I drive mine every day here in Nashville.

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Old 09-06-2012, 03:23 PM   #6
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Re: low as possible

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Mine's a 4.5" front, 6" rear drop from McGaughy's, but it measures a lot more drop than advertised. I'm on 255/40 20s in front and I just barely rub the driver's side inner fender on nasty bumps. I drive mine every day here in Nashville.

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That's weird.. i have a 6" drop.. 3 and 3, sits about where yours is.. had to take the inner fencers out tho.. damn near sat on them
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Old 09-06-2012, 07:24 PM   #7
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Re: low as possible

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Mine's a 4.5" front, 6" rear drop from McGaughy's, but it measures a lot more drop than advertised. I'm on 255/40 20s in front and I just barely rub the driver's side inner fender on nasty bumps. I drive mine every day here in Nashville.

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i dont liek "drug dealer" wheels but DANG that looks good
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Old 09-06-2012, 02:07 PM   #8
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Re: low as possible

GREAT looking truck^^^.
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Old 09-06-2012, 03:07 PM   #9
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Re: low as possible

X2. I dig it.
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Old 09-06-2012, 03:10 PM   #10
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Re: low as possible

Thanks!
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Old 09-09-2012, 07:14 PM   #11
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Re: low as possible

not sure on the amount of actual suspension drop as I changed tires at the same time.. 215/70r15 front and 235/75r15 rears. Air shocks in the back so I can haul my dirt bikes and new factory length shocks in front... no c-notch but the axle will sit on the frame when aired down. After all said and done its a 6/8 drop from stock. I would also recommend going 3/4 ton coils in front. My cut 1/2 ton coils are way too soft. There is still a lot of room under the control arms. I might put in some 2" spindles and c-notch it with some 2" lowering blocks.

I drive up dirt roads to go dirt biking and up rutted dirt driveways and I have not once ever bottomed out or scraped on anything. I am used to driving lowered vehicles all my life so I could get away with it being down another 2" I think. If you like to drive fast and not think about driveways or speed bumps or swerving around man hole covers, then this is as low as I would recommend.

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Old 09-19-2012, 04:37 AM   #12
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Re: low as possible

heres mine all static, i guess the rear doesnt count because its a ladder bar coilover backhalf. but the front is a 9 inch drop, not including the size difference in tires.

3 inch spindles + 3.5 inch springs (chevelle trick springs with 1 coil cut off comes out to 3.5 inches lower then stock spring) + 2.5 inch crossmember channel = 9 inches.

its 11 inch front drop if you included the tire diameter difference fromt the stock sized tire.

and just for reference the rear tires are 33x19.50s and the fronts are 26x5
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Old 09-19-2012, 04:53 PM   #13
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Re: low as possible

Don't forget that your height has as much to do tires with tires as suspension. My truck isn't even all that low (2.5" spindle and 7/8 coil cut in front), but my tires hit the inner fenders on bumps - but I'm running stock size tires. If you go to a smaller tire you not only prevent the rubbing but you also lower the vehicle too. I could easily lower my truck over an inch just by buying new tires. Also consider the opposite effect. A taller tire fills the wheel well more and can often make the vehicle *look* lower than it is. A gap between the tire and the wheel opening visually makes a vehicle look higher than it is (the "4x4" stance). We've all seen cars that are lower than stock that appear to be higher (stock suspension but with smaller height tires).
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Old 09-22-2012, 08:04 AM   #14
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Re: low as possible

Actually a larger diameter Wheel will make a vehicle look lower, not so much the tire. Imo. The distance from the top of the wheel to the fender is what tricks the eye.
Look at the same truck with 15" Ralleys and 20" wheels. Same overall tire dimater but 20s look much lower.

Remember, when you cut a coil spring you increase the spring rate. The shorter it gets the stiffer it becomes.

carry on...
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Old 09-22-2012, 01:25 PM   #15
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Re: low as possible

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Actually a larger diameter Wheel will make a vehicle look lower, not so much the tire. Imo. The distance from the top of the wheel to the fender is what tricks the eye.
Look at the same truck with 15" Ralleys and 20" wheels. Same overall tire dimater but 20s look much lower.

Remember, when you cut a coil spring you increase the spring rate. The shorter it gets the stiffer it becomes.

carry on...
It is? is that why all those donks look like 4x4's?


rocker to the ground it what makes a truck low.. atleast to me.
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Old 09-22-2012, 02:08 PM   #16
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Re: low as possible

So how do you get the rocker three inches from the ground without spending many thousands on porter built or air bags? That's the big question.
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Old 09-22-2012, 02:22 PM   #17
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Re: low as possible

a z, and a pancake. spring and spindles.


If you have a welder.. or know a welder.. be done real cheap.
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Old 09-22-2012, 04:42 PM   #18
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Re: low as possible

Without a z. Full bed. Basicly a g machine chassis
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Old 09-22-2012, 05:14 PM   #19
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Re: low as possible

you can't lol...

ATM my rocker is like 7.5" off the ground but my arms and exhaust are 3 inches. and i don't think you can get the back quite that far without the bed hitting the diff.
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Old 09-22-2012, 06:40 PM   #20
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Re: low as possible

Haha someday somebody will get a 7-8 drop. That would be awsome
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Old 09-22-2012, 06:59 PM   #21
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Re: low as possible

untill you try to get over a speed bump. or drive through an alley in everett or seattle

then you will wish you had air
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Old 09-22-2012, 07:11 PM   #22
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Re: low as possible

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untill you try to get over a speed bump. or drive through an alley in everett or seattle

then you will wish you had air
Then you drive faster and you get air
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Old 05-22-2013, 12:13 AM   #23
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Re: low as possible

what shocks do you have?
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Old 05-23-2013, 07:21 PM   #24
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Re: low as possible

Rancho 5000
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Old 05-23-2013, 07:30 PM   #25
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Re: low as possible

the half tons coild felt bad uncut and they felt a little better with 2 coils cut. im on some 328101 (moog 6454) coils. he heaviest that came in these trucks with 2 cut coils and it may be a tad bit stiff. moog 6102 would have been a better choice as the 6454 sit a little higher.
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