Lowering Spring / Ride Height Question

[CRGRS 66]

Hey guys, I want to try and get this right the first time. Having parts shipped from the US to Canada makes the returning goods process difficult, and expensive.

I want to lower my rear end 2"... from where it currently sits. Based on my truck being relatively low miles (74k when I got it this spring) I am inclined to believe the springs are original, and therefore my concern is how much sag do I have? I want to go with lowering springs and matching shocks. If my old springs have my truck sitting... let's say 1" lower than stock ride height, and I install 1" lowering springs, my ride height effectively would not change.

I have measured from the bottom of the fender lip down to the center of the wheel hub and I get 14-1/2" How do I know what the stock ride height is? What drop springs do I order to get the ride height I want? Help!

I hope I am explaining my question well enough...

Thanks in advance,

[lolife99]

Looks like to me,... that the tire will rub if you lower it 2".

Look at these pics.
Maybe it will help you decide which rear spring to order.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.asp...=Stance+Photos

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Looks like to me,... that the tire will rub if you lower it 2".

Look at these pics.
Maybe it will help you decide which rear spring to order.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.asp...=Stance+Photos

Thanks lolife. It is a little deceiving, I had a load of wood in the bed this weekend which brought it down 2", and while it is kinda close, it was okay. Wheels have 4" back space. I may grab a pair if 10x15 black daytona wheels with a 4-1/2" back space to be safe, or switch from 295/50's to 275/60's. Not too overly worried about wheels and tires at this point.

[CRGRS 66]

Looking at that link to early classic, I would say that my truck is sitting much, much lower in the back end than stock ride height.

[glos55]

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

Hey guys, I want to try and get this right the first time. Having parts shipped from the US to Canada makes the returning goods process difficult, and expensive.

I want to lower my rear end 2"... from where it currently sits. Based on my truck being relatively low miles (74k when I got it this spring) I am inclined to believe the springs are original, and therefore my concern is how much sag do I have? I want to go with lowering springs and matching shocks. If my old springs have my truck sitting... let's say 1" lower than stock ride height, and I install 1" lowering springs, my ride height effectively would not change.

I have measured from the bottom of the fender lip down to the center of the wheel hub and I get 14-1/2" How do I know what the stock ride height is? What drop springs do I order to get the ride height I want? Help!

I hope I am explaining my question well enough...

Thanks in advance,

Just put your tonneau cover over the wood and you are all set

[CRGRS 66]

glos55, seems you put the zoo in kalamazoo
thanks for noticin!
with the wood in there, that is the height I want at the back end, kind of looks to me like what the ECE diagram shows as a 4" drop. Just FYI, I will be ordering the front disc brake kit from Scott's Hot Rods shortly, with 2.5" spindles, and 1" lowering springs. Or, should I go with 2" lowering springs... looks a bit like an over eager panting dog in this pic

[1963c-10]

Great looking truck...always like the swb fleetsides

[kieth]

Are you on spring ride, or trailing arm ? If you are on trailing arm with coils, just add 2 air bags at the rear and then you do not have to worry about the height of the springs, you can adjust it to the load and then later when you lower the front you can still adjust the rear to the correct height. That is how I did it and it worked. Kieth

here is a before shot: http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...7873&k=cFM5rJb

here is a after dropping the front 2.5": http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...4967&k=RGs9Wb7

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Great looking truck...always like the swb fleetsides

Thanks 63! Ya, me too, love em all! Had a 57 stepper when I was in high school, loved it!

Originally Posted by kieth

Are you on spring ride, or trailing arm ? If you are on trailing arm with coils, just add 2 air bags at the rear and then you do not have to worry about the height of the springs, you can adjust it to the load and then later when you lower the front you can still adjust the rear to the correct height. That is how I did it and it worked. Kieth

here is a before shot: http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...7873&k=cFM5rJb

here is a after dropping the front 2.5": http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...4967&k=RGs9Wb7

thanks for posting, bag the rear eh! Had never considered that. Can that be done without any high level, welding or fabrication skills? Any threads for a simple guy like me?

[MARTYZ]

Craig, I also used bags in the rear of mine, a pair of 2500 lb. bags and works great, you can just add more air when you hook to the trailer or get a load of fire wood. 2 1/2 drop spindles and origonal springs on the front gives me 9 inches frame rail to floor measured at front cab mount.
Ordered bags and mount kit here from Jason, he has a thread "Lowering Kit Sale Starts Now" , I beleive thats it .

[glos55]

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

glos55, seems you put the zoo in kalamazoo
thanks for noticin!
with the wood in there, that is the height I want at the back end, kind of looks to me like what the ECE diagram shows as a 4" drop. Just FYI, I will be ordering the front disc brake kit from Scott's Hot Rods shortly, with 2.5" spindles, and 1" lowering springs. Or, should I go with 2" lowering springs... looks a bit like an over eager panting dog in this pic

LOL My friends say the same thing!! Have you thought of Jeep Wrangler springs? It brought my rear down a full 4" the only drawback is you wouldn't be able to haul a load of wood like that or anything real heavy. Get the 2" springs for the front

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by MARTYZ

Craig, I also used bags in the rear of mine, a pair of 2500 lb. bags and works great, you can just add more air when you hook to the trailer or get a load of fire wood. 2 1/2 drop spindles and origonal springs on the front gives me 9 inches frame rail to floor measured at front cab mount.
Ordered bags and mount kit here from Jason, he has a thread "Lowering Kit Sale Starts Now" , I beleive thats it .

So, I would add bags, and keep keep the springs in place as well?

Originally Posted by glos55

LOL My friends say the same thing!! Have you thought of Jeep Wrangler springs? It brought my rear down a full 4" the only drawback is you wouldn't be able to haul a load of wood like that or anything real heavy. Get the 2" springs for the front

Maybe jeep springs, and bags? Ya, prob 2" springs on the front, thanks.

[allaboutchevelles]

I ordered 4 inch drop springs for the rear of mine. From what I understand if you go more than that you will need a small c notch in the frame. I also put 3 inch drop springs in the front. I cant really show you any pics yet, my truck is still tore apart. I will probally end of doing drop spindals in the front at some point. Ill wait until its put together and see what it looks like in the front.

[Rich 5150 69]

Craig why not just install two inch blocks inbetween the trailing arms and axle, you just need to change out the u-bolts, if you use 1/4 inch plate stacked to decide how low you want then weld them together before install...you won`t have to change shocks as you would otherwise.

[Rich 5150 69]

I just installed the CPP 4 inch drop HD springs in my truck but I don`t have the bed on yet...maybe in about a week.....

[MARTYZ]

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

So, I would add bags, and keep keep the springs in place as well?



Maybe jeep springs, and bags? Ya, prob 2" springs on the front, thanks.

The bags replace the springs

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by allaboutchevelles

I ordered 4 inch drop springs for the rear of mine. From what I understand if you go more than that you will need a small c notch in the frame. I also put 3 inch drop springs in the front. I cant really show you any pics yet, my truck is still tore apart. I will probally end of doing drop spindals in the front at some point. Ill wait until its put together and see what it looks like in the front.

Thanks allabout!

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

Craig why not just install two inch blocks inbetween the trailing arms and axle, you just need to change out the u-bolts, if you use 1/4 inch plate stacked to decide how low you want then weld them together before install...you won`t have to change shocks as you would otherwise.

I considered that, but I want new... something on there. If go with a completely static drop, I will go with 4" drop springs, and amtching shocks.

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

I just installed the CPP 4 inch drop HD springs in my truck but I don`t have the bed on yet...maybe in about a week.....

Look forward to seeing that, do you post on "what did you do to your truck today"?

Originally Posted by MARTYZ

The bags replace the springs

Thanks Martyz, I have been learning about rear suspension set up options. I really like the bag idea with a schraeder/snifter valve so you can adjust your height as necessary.

Thanks to all, once again, an education, and a great interaction with you lads

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

Thanks allabout!


I considered that, but I want new... something on there. If go with a completely static drop, I will go with 4" drop springs, and amtching shocks.


Look forward to seeing that, do you post on "what did you do to your truck today"?


Thanks Martyz, I have been learning about rear suspension set up options. I really like the bag idea with a schraeder/snifter valve so you can adjust your height as necessary.

Thanks to all, once again, an education, and a great interaction with you lads

I`m waiting on shocks and finishing rear tank install now, new springs are in, I did have the CPP 5 inch drop springs in but was real limited on any weight at all, three sheets of 4x8 sheetrock would put it on the axle....so when I decided to put in the rear tank I changed to 4 inch drop Heavy duty springs with monroe`s 32207, I have found a little shorter shock from KYB that will work as well KYB ...PN 343144 if I`ve deciphered it right.... For those that want to dicipher...still have to relocate the upper mounts anyways
http://www.kyb.com/technical/documen...onsSecured.pdf
I`m considering moving the shocks altogether but haven`t committed to it yet. lower pic with new springs.

[Torqueforce]

I'm facing the same predicament you are, with sagging stock springs. The ride is AWFUL. I've decided on a 2/4 inch drop. anything more than that and you might have clearance issues. I still think it looks a lot better than stock though.
(pic is my truck with saggy original springs and 29 inch tires for comparison)

[kieth]

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

Thanks 63! Ya, me too, love em all! Had a 57 stepper when I was in high school, loved it!



thanks for posting, bag the rear eh! Had never considered that. Can that be done without any high level, welding or fabrication skills? Any threads for a simple guy like me?

The bags just bolt in in the same spot as the coils, no big deal. run a little air line to a schrader valve and you are set .....now you do not have to worry about the rear height, only the front and you can adjust for a load by adding more air. Kieth

Here is a picture of 1 air bag installed, we later removed the bottom cage since it was too high. My truck now rides like a cadilac....
http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...3713&k=s6rzRrs