wood block drop...rear - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sactoC10 · 10-14-2003, 10:53 AM

Since I am uncertain about how much of a drop I want on my truck and on a tight budget, I have to cut costs as best I can. One thing I refused to do was spend $60-70-80 on a drop block "kit" consisiting of two extended U-bolts and two non adjustable rear blocks.

The best rear block kit I've seen is the DJM one for roughly $45 and comes with six .5" blocks, giving adjustabilty on each side from .5" to 1.5". Yet in even in California, with taxes, handling and/or shipping fees...it still ends up around $60.

Fortunatley I found a cheaper solution. I had two U-bolts made yesterday and bought some hardwood at my local home store and was able to create my own adjustable block kit for under $30. I will still create blocks out of metal in my own garage and stay under $40.

Just an FYI for any of ya-all out there with kids, homes, spouses. other toys or other expenses that try to get in front of your project truck!

Slammed67 · 10-14-2003, 01:54 PM

Good idea. I used some wood blocks as temporary lower bag cups on my '67! I have since made some metal ones but I they did the trick when I was setting up the front suspension.

sactoC10 · 10-14-2003, 02:54 PM

Thanks...

Yeah, I won't leave them there, but since the underside really does not see any water or moisture (but heck, the bed is wood) I figured that some nice solid wood "would" do the trick.

Unfortunately that same home store does not sell aluminum strips any thicker than 1/8" so I'll have to do some shopping for 1/2" pieces if I want to make the next set of blocks myself too.

neonlarry · 10-16-2003, 08:39 PM

Try Blue Collar Supply on Florin-Perkins Rd for alum. stock. Very reasonable also cheap Grade 8 hardware.

sactoC10 · 10-17-2003, 02:49 PM

Thanks NEON, saw them in the phone book. There is also a place over here off business 80 that I may try first, since it is on my path to and from work. May even call or stop by there today! That other place is very close to where I had my U-bolts made.

crewcab3500 · 10-26-2003, 01:16 PM

Blue Collar supply on florin perkins in Sacto Has all kinds of metals -nuts bolts -stanless . maybe you know about this source. good luck Dean

jamis · 11-02-2003, 08:07 AM

I made my 2" blocks today out of some 2x3 1/4" wall rectangular tube and welded them on the traillering arms. I aso welded the seam in the trailering arm. After I made the blocks I must of stared at them for an hour tring to decied if I should weld them on for extra strength.

Blue Beard · 11-02-2003, 10:15 AM

I had new u-bolts made at a local shop to lower mine down..........cost wasn't that bad...........

you can have them put threads as far as needed.........cut off the excess.....

sactoC10 · 11-03-2003, 11:29 AM

Yep, it is fairly easy to get this done without buying a pre-made kit. I installed my .5" plates/blocks last weekend (x4) on each side. Decided that I did not want 2" of block drop, only 1.5" so I removed one from each side this week. With the 3" spring drop the rear of my truck is now contently sunk 4.5" total. I like having the option of going up and down as I figure out tire and wheels sizes.

10-14-2003, 10:53 AM	#1
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	wood block drop...rear Since I am uncertain about how much of a drop I want on my truck and on a tight budget, I have to cut costs as best I can. One thing I refused to do was spend $60-70-80 on a drop block "kit" consisiting of two extended U-bolts and two non adjustable rear blocks. The best rear block kit I've seen is the DJM one for roughly $45 and comes with six .5" blocks, giving adjustabilty on each side from .5" to 1.5". Yet in even in California, with taxes, handling and/or shipping fees...it still ends up around $60. Fortunatley I found a cheaper solution. I had two U-bolts made yesterday and bought some hardwood at my local home store and was able to create my own adjustable block kit for under $30. I will still create blocks out of metal in my own garage and stay under $40. Just an FYI for any of ya-all out there with kids, homes, spouses. other toys or other expenses that try to get in front of your project truck!

10-14-2003, 01:54 PM	#2
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Good idea. I used some wood blocks as temporary lower bag cups on my '67! I have since made some metal ones but I they did the trick when I was setting up the front suspension. __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

10-16-2003, 08:39 PM	#4
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Try Blue Collar Supply on Florin-Perkins Rd for alum. stock. Very reasonable also cheap Grade 8 hardware. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

10-17-2003, 02:49 PM	#5
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Thanks NEON, saw them in the phone book. There is also a place over here off business 80 that I may try first, since it is on my path to and from work. May even call or stop by there today! That other place is very close to where I had my U-bolts made. __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

10-26-2003, 01:16 PM	#6
crewcab3500 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Stockton.California Posts: 21	Aluminum Blue Collar supply on florin perkins in Sacto Has all kinds of metals -nuts bolts -stanless . maybe you know about this source. good luck Dean

10-14-2003, 02:54 PM	#3
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Thanks... Yeah, I won't leave them there, but since the underside really does not see any water or moisture (but heck, the bed is wood) I figured that some nice solid wood "would" do the trick. Unfortunately that same home store does not sell aluminum strips any thicker than 1/8" so I'll have to do some shopping for 1/2" pieces if I want to make the next set of blocks myself too.

11-02-2003, 08:07 AM	#7
jamis F.A.S.T. president Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 1,883	I made my 2" blocks today out of some 2x3 1/4" wall rectangular tube and welded them on the traillering arms. I aso welded the seam in the trailering arm. After I made the blocks I must of stared at them for an hour tring to decied if I should weld them on for extra strength. Last edited by jamis; 10-05-2007 at 07:11 AM.

11-02-2003, 10:15 AM	#8
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	I had new u-bolts made at a local shop to lower mine down..........cost wasn't that bad........... you can have them put threads as far as needed.........cut off the excess..... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

11-03-2003, 11:29 AM	#9
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Yep, it is fairly easy to get this done without buying a pre-made kit. I installed my .5" plates/blocks last weekend (x4) on each side. Decided that I did not want 2" of block drop, only 1.5" so I removed one from each side this week. With the 3" spring drop the rear of my truck is now contently sunk 4.5" total. I like having the option of going up and down as I figure out tire and wheels sizes.



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