02-09-2012, 10:35 AM | #1 |
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Dropping the sub
Hey guys, new to this forum and have an '88 GMC 6.2 Diesel Suburban I am working on. I bought it 2 years ago and have done some work but am now ready to drop her down. I am currently doing the 2.5" spindle drop in the front. I am wanting to know if anyone here has the same size front drop and can tell me what tire size works well. I run a set of cragar 17x9" soft 8 chrome wheels. I currently run 265 70 17's all around. My concern is when I get the front down, the up travel will have the tire hitting the top of the inner fender and I do not want to mod anything in there. I have researched a few tire sizes and looks like a 265 65 17 will be a little wider and about an inch shorter in height. Any help would be much appreciated! I have attached pics to show you all my old girl. Here is a link to a video I shot awhile back...
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02-09-2012, 12:56 PM | #2 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
I have the 2.5 drop spindles on my truck I ran a 29.5 inch tire on a 17x8 with no problems and a ton of clearance the tire never rubbed, I did have to grind the lower control arm for clearance cause the rim was hitting the lip on it when making a tight turn ( 17's and hitting) but i think a lot depends on the back space of your rims
you might have to swap to a shorter tire or worst case 17x8's up front |
02-10-2012, 01:59 PM | #3 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
just like you said: it's a nice truck!! sorry i can't help you with the lowering question.
looks real slick, and i'm ready for the after pics! |
02-13-2012, 10:15 AM | #4 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Got the parts ordered last week so it should be in the shop next week. I will post some pics when done. Thanks for the help thus far.
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02-22-2012, 11:08 AM | #5 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Got her back yesterday and she is looking good. I have a set of 265 60 17's that are going on today as well. Now to save up and drop the rear 2". Anybody have any suggestions? I am looking at a leaf shackle kit to do it. I assume I will need new rear shocks since they will compress 2" when dropped.
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02-22-2012, 11:35 AM | #6 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Nice burb, is the rear stock now? Drop shackles are around $40 at the parts store
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02-22-2012, 01:26 PM | #7 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Rear is stock height. I like the rake but will be lowering it soon. Once i get the tires on, there will be more gap in the rear and I want it at or below the height of the tire. Looks like shackles are the way to go as well. Still wondering about shock length though. I am pretty sure i will need shorter shocks.
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02-22-2012, 04:15 PM | #8 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Got the tires on at lunch and she rides like a caddy again.
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02-23-2012, 11:54 PM | #9 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Any tips on installing the spindles? I wanna put mine on this weekend.
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02-24-2012, 10:18 AM | #10 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
I had my shop put them on. It will need to be re aligned after the install so I let them do it all. It seems pretty straight forward though. Unbolt the old, install new. I did manage to grind the control arms last night. Just took about 1/4 off the lower arm near the ball joint. There is a turn up of metal on the arm and I trimmed a section about 1.5" long to clear wheel weights and wheel. With my 9" wide wheels they contact the arms at full turn. Nothing major to fix it and no integrity lost.
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02-27-2012, 12:38 AM | #11 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Tires are measured 265mm wide. 60% of the width is your sidewall height. And 17 is the wheel size. This is on a 265/60r17. So a 265/70 would be the same width with a taller sidewall.
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03-04-2012, 11:41 AM | #12 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
That is one sweet suburban...looks great lowered.
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03-05-2012, 09:56 AM | #13 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
The shackles are easy enough to install, but I had to modify my filler neck tube for clearance, a friend did it for me. It just needs a curve in it so it's not directly above the shackle. The truck looks great, love the 6.2 power.
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03-05-2012, 10:06 AM | #14 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Thanks for the compliments guys. I am on the fence about the shackles for now. I just need an inch out of the back to make the rear wheel well sit at the top of the tire. But I have a laundry list of other things I need to do to it before that. Been looking at some boss 20" wheels but that won't happen for awhile. Let these tires wear out then we shall see.
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03-05-2012, 10:11 AM | #15 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
The burb looks good!
I'm trying to put a flipkit on my burb but the leaf spring hanger is giving me problems cause of a body mount that is installed right over the hanger and I can't get to the bolt. Hopefully I can get it fine this week. Posted via Mobile Device |
03-05-2012, 02:10 PM | #17 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
That stance looks perfect..i think some drop shackles have more than one hole so you can drop it 1 in.
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03-05-2012, 02:12 PM | #18 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
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03-05-2012, 05:05 PM | #19 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
Thanks guys. I know the lights were not at the best place originally. I actually mounted them on the frame rails so they are set back some. I thought about getting a lower front air damn on it to make it look lower but that $ can go to something else I really need. As far as the shackles go, I will be doing this soon. I hate the gap on the back. Those shackles are cheap and seem easy enough to do with regular tools. On a side note, I am looking for a good headlamp conversion. I would like to go to an H4 set up but have not seen any for my year. I want to upgrade to some white light. My jeep has hella H4 housings and it is pure white light. Anybody running anything like this?
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03-05-2012, 06:37 PM | #20 |
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Re: Dropping the sub
This is the best upgrade and write up I've seen for throwing lots of white light off the front of a square - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436955
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