too low? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tablloyd · 03-22-2008, 04:38 AM

A couple of weeks ago, I got my ball joints and steering box replaced in my 70 stepside. When I took it to my mechanic to get it done, he notified me that he had just gotten a pair of almost new 2" drop springs for the front of my truck, bought and installed for only $75 since he was already going to be down there. I accepted eagerly, being that my front end was actually a little bit higher than my rear end, due to new tires. The next day, when i picked my truck up, he informed me that he had installed a new pair of a-arms because the springs would not work with my current ones; no extra charge. Fine by me. Well, the truck ended up lower than i had expected, and it took me about two weeks to decide its lower than i want it. I have heard about putting specific shims around the spring that raise it, but is that a cheap fix for a bigger problem? Also, i was considering just putting air bags in place of what i have. Does that involve replaces the shocks and springs? Sorry if i sound new, i've just never done any suspension before

jlaird · 03-22-2008, 05:33 AM

Hmmm, what look do you want from your truck. You say you think it's too low, but then you talk about bags. Bags are going to make it lower than what you have with your spring in there.

tablloyd · 03-22-2008, 05:41 AM

well, i figured they were adjustable. But if it'll still be lower, then forget those. What about the shims though?

**lolife99** · 03-22-2008, 06:18 AM

Can you post any pictures of the truck and the lower a-arm area so we can help figure this out?

*Shane* · 03-22-2008, 08:05 AM

why not put the old springs back in it ...

Frizzle Fry · 03-22-2008, 07:33 PM

Just bring the back down to match

collin86 · 03-22-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Just bring the back down to match

Mkcustums · 03-23-2008, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collin86

Me Too!

Mr79C10 · 03-23-2008, 02:26 AM

Too Low,,

Is that really a question? lol

Drop the rear and you''ll be happy.

ANTHONY 67 · 03-23-2008, 07:47 AM

its never to low

tablloyd · 03-23-2008, 10:18 PM

I just took some pictures. Best I could do without taking the entire fender off.

The reason it's too low for me...

So, while I can respect you all with your lowered trucks, I am just not an ultra-low kind of guy. Especially with cutouts on a daily driver.

Unfortunately, I can't put the old springs back on.
The old springs fell victim to the previous owner, who cut them straight in half in an attempt to lower the truck without spending money...

So, short of buying a new set of springs, is there anything else I can do?

SCOTI · 03-24-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tablloyd

So, while I can respect you all with your lowered trucks, I am just not an ultra-low kind of guy. Especially with cutouts on a daily driver.

Unfortunately, I can't put the old springs back on.
The old springs fell victim to the previous owner, who cut them straight in half in an attempt to lower the truck without spending money...

So, short of buying a new set of springs, is there anything else I can do?

While I won't try & tell you your opinion is right/wrong, I would suggest getting the exhaust re-done so it doesn't hang below the frame rails. If that's not an option you'll consider, get a set of used springs from a wrecking yard or a board member. There's a bunch of guys swapping over to bags that have extra coils looking for 'new work'.

tablloyd · 03-24-2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

While I won't try & tell you your opinion is right/wrong, I would suggest getting the exhaust re-done so it doesn't hang below the frame rails. If that's not an option you'll consider, get a set of used springs from a wrecking yard or a board member. There's a bunch of guys swapping over to bags that have extra coils looking for 'new work'.

I dont consider it an option, simply because even if I did have the extra clearence, I still wouldn't want it as low as it is. It's just not my style. But you think the best option would be to just put larger springs in? Do you know what size I should get? And is it something I could do myself?

SCOTI · 03-24-2008, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tablloyd

I dont consider it an option, simply because even if I did have the extra clearence, I still wouldn't want it as low as it is. It's just not my style. But you think the best option would be to just put larger springs in? Do you know what size I should get? And is it something I could do myself?

It is harder to get stock length coils in vs. shorter drop coils but it can be done easily @ home. For the record, even if your truck was stock height I would re-work the exhaust. There's no reason for it to hang so far below the rails if routed carefully.

C10-Driver · 03-24-2008, 03:01 AM

I tend to agree with your opinion on the amount of drop on your daily driver. Although I love low trucks, at the current height, it will become an annoyance to drive on a daily basis.

Something about those LCA's looks strange... Have they been Z'd? From the picture, it looks like they have been modified. If so, I would say your fix is to re-install some "stock" lower control arms.

1LoC10 · 03-24-2008, 03:14 AM

im pretty sure there are some guys with stock springs that would be more than happy to trade... i think it sits nice, tuck the exhaust up and its good to go

SCOTI · 03-24-2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

I tend to agree with your opinion on the amount of drop on your daily driver. Although I love low trucks, at the current height, it will become an annoyance to drive on a daily basis.

Something about those LCA's looks strange... Have they been Z'd? From the picture, it looks like they have been modified. If so, I would say your fix is to re-install some "stock" lower control arms.

His lower control arms are 'stepped'.

C10-Driver · 03-24-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

His lower control arms are 'stepped'.

Thanks for confirming the terminology

... This would explain why his truck is so low and why his LCA's are almost sitting on the ground wouldn't it? Depending on how much they are stepped, he would have 1 or 2 inches extra drop from the control arms.

SCOTI · 03-24-2008, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

Thanks for confirming the terminology

... This would explain why his truck is so low and why his LCA's are almost sitting on the ground wouldn't it? Depending on how much they are stepped, he would have 1 or 2 inches extra drop from the control arms.

Yes, stepped arms accomplish the same thing as dropped spindles w/o requiring the disc swap.

jlaird · 03-24-2008, 05:01 AM

Do you realize you have a pair of modified stock lower control arms? Do you know where they came from or who did the work? I would be skeptical of a mechanic who put these on your truck without asking you first. This is how it sounds anyway from the first post. Anyway, I would get new lower control arms or stock coils. Another thing that I cant figure out is why your stock lower control arms wouldn't work with the new coils. Something isn't right...

SCOTI · 03-24-2008, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlaird

Another thing that I cant figure out is why your stock lower control arms wouldn't work with the new coils. Something isn't right...

I agree.

Frizzle Fry · 03-24-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I agree.

Yep

1LoC10 · 03-24-2008, 05:47 AM

maybe the guy wanted to get rid of the arms, so he tricked you into trading

C10-Driver · 03-24-2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LoC10

maybe the guy wanted to get rid of the arms, so he tricked you into trading

Interesting...

As already stated, installing lowering springs is pretty basic... There's shouldn't be any reason why the LCA's would need to be changed.

tablloyd · 03-24-2008, 01:01 PM

No, I trust my mechanic way more than that.
Maybe its just me being ignorant, but I think its more likely that the old ones were no good. You should have seen the truck before I got to it...

03-22-2008, 04:38 AM	#1
tablloyd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: vancouver, wa Posts: 49	too low? A couple of weeks ago, I got my ball joints and steering box replaced in my 70 stepside. When I took it to my mechanic to get it done, he notified me that he had just gotten a pair of almost new 2" drop springs for the front of my truck, bought and installed for only $75 since he was already going to be down there. I accepted eagerly, being that my front end was actually a little bit higher than my rear end, due to new tires. The next day, when i picked my truck up, he informed me that he had installed a new pair of a-arms because the springs would not work with my current ones; no extra charge. Fine by me. Well, the truck ended up lower than i had expected, and it took me about two weeks to decide its lower than i want it. I have heard about putting specific shims around the spring that raise it, but is that a cheap fix for a bigger problem? Also, i was considering just putting air bags in place of what i have. Does that involve replaces the shocks and springs? Sorry if i sound new, i've just never done any suspension before

03-22-2008, 05:33 AM	#2
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: too low? Hmmm, what look do you want from your truck. You say you think it's too low, but then you talk about bags. Bags are going to make it lower than what you have with your spring in there.

03-22-2008, 05:41 AM	#3
tablloyd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: vancouver, wa Posts: 49	Re: too low? well, i figured they were adjustable. But if it'll still be lower, then forget those. What about the shims though?

03-22-2008, 06:18 AM	#4
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: too low? Can you post any pictures of the truck and the lower a-arm area so we can help figure this out? __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-22-2008, 08:05 AM	#5
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: too low? why not put the old springs back in it ...

03-22-2008, 07:33 PM	#6
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: too low? Just bring the back down to match

03-23-2008, 02:26 AM	#9
Mr79C10 It Is What It Is,,,, Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Gun Shine StateFlorida* Posts: 1,765	Re: too low? Too Low,, Is that really a question? lol Drop the rear and you''ll be happy. __________________ 79 C10 Short Box ST8 6 bang'r Lowered w/ 3" Control arms, 2" Lower Coils and 4" shackles and hangers W/ FLIP KIT __--__* 79 C-10 project* .........................__ ..............._____ l __\___ ..............\|_(O)_ \|___(O) ] FAQ INDEX Thread The Kulture My Rat Den

03-23-2008, 07:47 AM	#10
ANTHONY 67 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FOREST MS Posts: 67	Re: too low? its never to low

03-23-2008, 10:18 PM	#11
tablloyd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: vancouver, wa Posts: 49	Re: too low? I just took some pictures. Best I could do without taking the entire fender off. The reason it's too low for me... So, while I can respect you all with your lowered trucks, I am just not an ultra-low kind of guy. Especially with cutouts on a daily driver. Unfortunately, I can't put the old springs back on. The old springs fell victim to the previous owner, who cut them straight in half in an attempt to lower the truck without spending money... So, short of buying a new set of springs, is there anything else I can do?

03-24-2008, 03:01 AM	#15
C10-Driver Chevy Truck Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 1,176	Re: too low? I tend to agree with your opinion on the amount of drop on your daily driver. Although I love low trucks, at the current height, it will become an annoyance to drive on a daily basis. Something about those LCA's looks strange... Have they been Z'd? From the picture, it looks like they have been modified. If so, I would say your fix is to re-install some "stock" lower control arms. __________________ . 1970 Chev C/10 SWB, 355 SBC, 700R4, 3.73 Posi, Air Ride (Click to view Build Thread) (SOLD) 1978 Chevy C/10 SWB 1970 Pontiac Lemans .

03-24-2008, 03:14 AM	#16
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: too low? im pretty sure there are some guys with stock springs that would be more than happy to trade... i think it sits nice, tuck the exhaust up and its good to go __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

03-24-2008, 05:01 AM	#20
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: too low? Do you realize you have a pair of modified stock lower control arms? Do you know where they came from or who did the work? I would be skeptical of a mechanic who put these on your truck without asking you first. This is how it sounds anyway from the first post. Anyway, I would get new lower control arms or stock coils. Another thing that I cant figure out is why your stock lower control arms wouldn't work with the new coils. Something isn't right...

03-24-2008, 05:47 AM	#23
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: too low? maybe the guy wanted to get rid of the arms, so he tricked you into trading __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

03-24-2008, 01:01 PM	#25
tablloyd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: vancouver, wa Posts: 49	Re: too low? No, I trust my mechanic way more than that. Maybe its just me being ignorant, but I think its more likely that the old ones were no good. You should have seen the truck before I got to it...



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