New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Poop du Jour · 05-17-2017, 01:55 PM

Just picked up a 78 C15 and I'm itching to drop it on its face but I see that the previous owner removed all but 4 leaves from the rear spring pack. It's also still above the axle. The goal for this is to keep it super cheap and ride it dirty so my question is this: flip kit or drop shackles?

5-6" further drop seems like it might be too low but 2" might not be enough. Front coils will get cut down too. It needs to be as low as possible, I don't care about ride quality.

Thanks y'all!

aggie91 · 05-17-2017, 02:30 PM

If you want it low, then flip the rear. Use a drop spindle and a cut spring in the front. Some of these trucks only had 4 or 5 leaves in the spring pack from the factory.

Jstock85 · 05-17-2017, 05:15 PM

cutting one coil should give you about a 2" drop. other guys can tell you for sure

bbbc10 · 05-17-2017, 09:29 PM

If you dont care how it rides just heat the front and rear springs ��

Jaysonb · 05-17-2017, 11:17 PM

Nice looking truck! I like the color combo.

riz · 05-18-2017, 07:11 AM

DON'T do a hack job like cutting coils or heating the springs...... if you're gonna do it, do it right. It's cheap to lower one of these so why do a hack job ???

Keith Seymore · 05-18-2017, 08:49 AM

Cut coils in the front, relocated spring hangers in the rear. Total cost was $1.38 for bolts and a front end alignment.

250,000 and 30 years as a daily driver with no issues.

K

Jstock85 · 05-18-2017, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Cut coils in the front, relocated spring hangers in the rear. Total cost was $1.38 for bolts and a front end alignment.

250,000 and 30 years as a daily driver with no issues.

K

Thats my kind of mod$$$ Cutting coils is no problem. What or how did you relocate the hangers? Would you mind sharing a few pictures?

Tash4 · 05-18-2017, 10:12 AM

There is a guy on here that sells a bracket for the rear for under $50 that drops it 5in in back. specialtyretail i believe is his name. i used them and they work awesome. they are in the 73-87 sales section.

Tx Firefighter · 05-18-2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tash4

There is a guy on here that sells a bracket for the rear for under $50 that drops it 5in in back. specialtyretail i believe is his name. i used them and they work awesome. they are in the 73-87 sales section.

I'm there with you. His brackets are cheap and simple.

aggie91 · 05-18-2017, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm there with you. His brackets are cheap and simple.

OMG, your back. Hope all has been well with you.

Keith Seymore · 05-18-2017, 12:48 PM

You have to cut the rivets (somewhat labor intensive) and replace them with 3/8" Grade 8 bolts.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509224

If you go this route I can talk you through it.

More discussion here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=323014

K

Jstock85 · 05-18-2017, 01:17 PM

yeah i def plan on doing that. Did you have to replace the shocks afterward?

Keith Seymore · 05-18-2017, 01:54 PM

No.

K

Tx Firefighter · 05-18-2017, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggie91

OMG, your back. Hope all has been well with you.

Hey Karl. I'm good. I've been creeping your thread over on LS1Tech for a long time now. I hope you can make it to C10s in the Park this year.

RDrancher · 05-18-2017, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm there with you. His brackets are cheap and simple.

Well you Shady Rascal you...

I'm on board with Specialty Retail's brackets. Inexpensive and they work just fine.

Jstock85 · 05-19-2017, 12:04 AM

i think ill give keith's method a shot first. lower my truck for $1.38! gotta be worth a shot

KQQL IT · 05-19-2017, 01:50 AM

Several dollar's in bolts some $20 axle pads.
And a few hours

Clipped 2 coils, cut bump pads off the lower A-arm and rear frame.
Flipped the back.
Longer bolts in the upper A-arm

How we did it before we knew about drop spindles.

Still rolling this way today.

Jstock85 · 05-19-2017, 07:47 AM

Im glad you guys shared this info. I knew there had to be a better way to get low than theses $500-$600 "lowering kits"

Tx Firefighter · 05-19-2017, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDrancher

Well you Shady Rascal you...

You figured it out.

One guy is nice and kind. The other one has a curious eye twitch and mutters ugly things under his breath.

Come find me at Decatur swap meet this fall and shake my hand.

RDrancher · 05-19-2017, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

You figured it out.

One guy is nice and kind. The other one has a curious eye twitch and mutters ugly things under his breath.

Come find me at Decatur swap meet this fall and shake my hand.

Yep, pretty much figured it out during your answering of one of my pm's, but I wasn't 100% sure and kept my mouth shut. The instagram id is a bit of a dead-horse giveaway though.

I'll see you there.

**lolife99** · 05-19-2017, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm there with you. His brackets are cheap and simple.

Diggin the truck and the Cragars!

Tx Firefighter · 05-19-2017, 12:13 PM

Thanks Keith.

The wheel and tire setup is about to be switched out honestly. It doesn't drive the way I want it with the 215/75 235/75 combo. The fitment isn't exactly what I want either.

You're a perceptive guy. I'd bet money you can guess what's in the boxes.

**lolife99** · 05-19-2017, 12:37 PM

Looks like you are switching to another classic design,...

Tx Firefighter · 05-19-2017, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

Looks like you are switching to another classic design,...

Wider wheels. Wider tires. And attempting to disguise the track width difference some. My front track width is pretty noticeably wider than the rear. It seems much more so than any other truck I've done. It finally weighed on me enough to do something about it.

05-17-2017, 01:55 PM	#1
Poop du Jour Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Medicine Hat, AB. Posts: 7	New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop Just picked up a 78 C15 and I'm itching to drop it on its face but I see that the previous owner removed all but 4 leaves from the rear spring pack. It's also still above the axle. The goal for this is to keep it super cheap and ride it dirty so my question is this: flip kit or drop shackles? 5-6" further drop seems like it might be too low but 2" might not be enough. Front coils will get cut down too. It needs to be as low as possible, I don't care about ride quality. Thanks y'all! Attached Images

05-17-2017, 02:30 PM	#2
aggie91 I'm just glad to be here! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Longview, TX Posts: 4,788	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop If you want it low, then flip the rear. Use a drop spindle and a cut spring in the front. Some of these trucks only had 4 or 5 leaves in the spring pack from the factory. __________________ Karl 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square

05-17-2017, 05:15 PM	#3
Jstock85 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Brandon,MS Posts: 489	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop cutting one coil should give you about a 2" drop. other guys can tell you for sure

05-17-2017, 09:29 PM	#4
bbbc10 Diggin The SquareLife Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: garland,tx Posts: 1,933	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop If you dont care how it rides just heat the front and rear springs ��

05-17-2017, 11:17 PM	#5
Jaysonb Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Good Thunder Mn. Posts: 955	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop Nice looking truck! I like the color combo. __________________ 77 k10 winter beater build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=716884 85 GMC short fleet budget build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=714222 80 C10 stepside build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693848

05-18-2017, 07:11 AM	#6
riz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: hudson,wi Posts: 805	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop DON'T do a hack job like cutting coils or heating the springs...... if you're gonna do it, do it right. It's cheap to lower one of these so why do a hack job ??? __________________ RIZ 81 C10 short box 82 K5 Blazer

05-18-2017, 08:49 AM	#7
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,226	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop Cut coils in the front, relocated spring hangers in the rear. Total cost was $1.38 for bolts and a front end alignment. 250,000 and 30 years as a daily driver with no issues. K Attached Images __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

05-18-2017, 10:12 AM	#9
Tash4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Pinhook Mo Posts: 120	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop There is a guy on here that sells a bracket for the rear for under $50 that drops it 5in in back. specialtyretail i believe is his name. i used them and they work awesome. they are in the 73-87 sales section.

05-18-2017, 12:48 PM	#12
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,226	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop You have to cut the rivets (somewhat labor intensive) and replace them with 3/8" Grade 8 bolts. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509224 If you go this route I can talk you through it. More discussion here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=323014 K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 05-18-2017 at 01:20 PM.

05-18-2017, 01:17 PM	#13
Jstock85 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Brandon,MS Posts: 489	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop yeah i def plan on doing that. Did you have to replace the shocks afterward?

05-18-2017, 01:54 PM	#14
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,226	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop No. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

05-19-2017, 12:04 AM	#17
Jstock85 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Brandon,MS Posts: 489	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop i think ill give keith's method a shot first. lower my truck for $1.38! gotta be worth a shot

05-19-2017, 01:50 AM	#18
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,256	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop Several dollar's in bolts some $20 axle pads. And a few hours Clipped 2 coils, cut bump pads off the lower A-arm and rear frame. Flipped the back. Longer bolts in the upper A-arm How we did it before we knew about drop spindles. Still rolling this way today. Attached Images __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

05-19-2017, 07:47 AM	#19
Jstock85 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Brandon,MS Posts: 489	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop Im glad you guys shared this info. I knew there had to be a better way to get low than theses $500-$600 "lowering kits"

05-19-2017, 12:13 PM	#23
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop Thanks Keith. The wheel and tire setup is about to be switched out honestly. It doesn't drive the way I want it with the 215/75 235/75 combo. The fitment isn't exactly what I want either. You're a perceptive guy. I'd bet money you can guess what's in the boxes. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin



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05-19-2017, 12:37 PM	#24
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: New to the C10 game, need advice on a rear drop Looks like you are switching to another classic design,... Attached Images __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

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