Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton - Page 7 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tow Me · 06-28-2010, 10:25 AM

I have been driving Crewella and I get lots of comments about the short bed... love it! My front tires are rubbing some when I hit big bumps in the road, so I need to get a smaller tire for the front.

Tow Me · 06-28-2010, 12:02 PM

Just some more pics....

**lolife99** · 06-28-2010, 12:19 PM

[QUOTE=Tow Me;4062665]I have been driving Crewella and I get lots of comments about the short bed... love it! My front tires are rubbing some when I hit big bumps in the road, so I need to get a smaller tire for the front.

Your truck looks great!
I would leave the tires and modify the inner fenders.
It looks perfect now.

*BGRAFX* · 06-28-2010, 12:24 PM

Man all your hard work has sure paid off!!!

Tow Me · 06-28-2010, 05:43 PM

Thanks!

[quote=lolife99;4062802]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tow Me

I have been driving Crewella and I get lots of comments about the short bed... love it! My front tires are rubbing some when I hit big bumps in the road, so I need to get a smaller tire for the front.

Your truck looks great!
I would leave the tires and modify the inner fenders.
It looks perfect now.

As for the rubbing... I was hoping to stay with factory parts and I had the inner fenders powder coated, but at some point I might bag this truck too. I'll kick the idea around for a bit. I may look into a different spring too an add an adjustable bump stop. I think mine are 1/2 ton springs with a coil cut. Perhaps a lowered spring would be a better choice for stiffness.

**lolife99** · 06-28-2010, 06:06 PM

What shocks do you have up front?
Some of the drop shocks will stiffen up the front suspension.
I like using Belltech shocks on 73-87 trucks.

joe231 · 06-28-2010, 07:56 PM

i'm in love with your truck!

Tow Me · 06-29-2010, 10:32 AM

For my shocks, I have a set of heavy duty gas rear shocks on the front.
Thanks Joe231!!!

**scotts62** · 06-29-2010, 10:41 AM

I like the pic with both of them sitting there!

WillieloRidez · 06-29-2010, 12:21 PM

Looks great man congratulations on getting her going!

nathansmith15 · 07-02-2010, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tow Me

Oh... I thought you were just talking about the notch. Sorry!
I've done some more to strengthen the point were the frames meet.

hey . . . this might seem like a stupid question to u guys . . . i have an 83 longbed silverado and i want it lowered i was thinkin bout a flip kit but all of em ive found have been 6inches and said u have to notch the frame are there any that you dont have to cut the frame

Tow Me · 07-02-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathansmith15

hey . . . this might seem like a stupid question to u guys . . . i have an 83 longbed silverado and i want it lowered i was thinkin bout a flip kit but all of em ive found have been 6inches and said u have to notch the frame are there any that you dont have to cut the frame

I would definitely say go with a flip kit if you're going to lower your truck. In the past I was never happy with a shackle and hanger kit. I found my bracket on eBay for around $65 or you can get a full kit (like Bell Tech or DJM) with shock extenders, c-notch, brackets, and new u-bolts for more dough. Many guys on this forum don't run a notch, but I would recommend doing it at some point. You also have to remove the factory bump stop for clearance, but you can buy a smaller one through Summit or other automotive parts suppliers. If you don't buy a the full flip kit, you still will need to upgrade you rear shocks as well since the stock shocks will be too long. A good set of lowering shocks would be ideal, but you can get away with a shorter set of heavy duty gas shocks. Don't forget the drop spindles for the front!

Do a search on the forums and Im sure you can find pics of lowered long beds. Good luck!

Tow Me · 07-02-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathansmith15

hey . . . this might seem like a stupid question to u guys . . . i have an 83 longbed silverado and i want it lowered i was thinkin bout a flip kit but all of em ive found have been 6inches and said u have to notch the frame are there any that you dont have to cut the frame

I would definitely say go with a flip kit if you're going to lower your truck. In the past I was never happy with a shackle and hanger kit. I found my bracket on eBay for around $65 or you can get a full kit (like Bell Tech or DJM) with shock extenders, c-notch, brackets, and new u-bolts for more dough. Many guys on this forum don't run a notch, but I would recommend doing it at some point. You also have to remove the factory bump stop for clearance, but you can buy a smaller one through Summit or other automotive parts suppliers. If you don't buy a the full flip kit, you still will need to upgrade you rear shocks as well since the stock shocks will be too long. A good set of lowering shocks would be ideal, but you can get away with a shorter set of heavy duty gas shocks. Don't forget the drop spindles for the front!

Do a search on the forums and Im sure you can find pics of lowered long beds. Good luck!

joe231 · 07-03-2010, 07:20 PM

Echo
Echo
Echo

baclay9 · 07-03-2010, 08:05 PM

beautiful man.

kmfb · 11-18-2011, 09:23 PM

Glen you need to update this thread!!!

06-28-2010, 10:25 AM	#151
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton I have been driving Crewella and I get lots of comments about the short bed... love it! My front tires are rubbing some when I hit big bumps in the road, so I need to get a smaller tire for the front. __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

06-28-2010, 12:02 PM	#152
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton Just some more pics.... __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

06-28-2010, 12:19 PM	#153
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton [QUOTE=Tow Me;4062665]I have been driving Crewella and I get lots of comments about the short bed... love it! My front tires are rubbing some when I hit big bumps in the road, so I need to get a smaller tire for the front. Your truck looks great! I would leave the tires and modify the inner fenders. It looks perfect now. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

06-28-2010, 12:24 PM	#154
BGRAFX Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: kansas city Ks Posts: 1,970	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton Man all your hard work has sure paid off!!!

06-28-2010, 06:06 PM	#156
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton What shocks do you have up front? Some of the drop shocks will stiffen up the front suspension. I like using Belltech shocks on 73-87 trucks. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

06-28-2010, 07:56 PM	#157
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton i'm in love with your truck! __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

06-29-2010, 10:32 AM	#158
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton For my shocks, I have a set of heavy duty gas rear shocks on the front. Thanks Joe231!!! __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

06-29-2010, 10:41 AM	#159
scotts62 One day... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tuttle, Ok Posts: 9,243	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton I like the pic with both of them sitting there! __________________ Scott 93 crew cab build Project 62

06-29-2010, 12:21 PM	#160
WillieloRidez Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 667	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton Looks great man congratulations on getting her going! __________________ WillieloRidez Drive em in Drag em out! Projects: 1956 Chevrolet 210 2dr post 58 chevrolet 2dr delray 58 chevrolet belair 4dr hardtop 1965 Chevelle big block 4spd 88 crewcab 1/2 ton long bed aka STRETCH Lt1-4l60e http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=388445

07-03-2010, 07:20 PM	#164
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton Echo Echo Echo __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-03-2010, 08:05 PM	#165
baclay9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 1,344	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton beautiful man.

11-18-2011, 09:23 PM	#166
kmfb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Clackamas, Or Posts: 139	Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton Glen you need to update this thread!!!



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