87 SWB lowering advice
 

Just picked up a one owner, low mile, garage kept, stock 87 black Silverado SWB. It sits like an old farmers truck. I'm researching lowering options. This will be a daily driver. The most I've ever lowered a square body is 2/4 with spindles, shackles/hangers/leaf spring removal. Want lower than 2/4 this time. Truck will remain stock body, mouldings, emblems, interior, etc.
Here's my want's:
To run stock tires and wheels (with option to run 18's? in the future) if 18's offer good tire selection.
No notching frame or bed supports. Don't want to compromise trucks originality.
Want to close up wheel well opening, but keep nice ride since daily driver.
I like drop spindles/drop coils/flip kit idea.
Noticed spindles come in 2", 2.5", 3" drops. Advice?
Thinking 3/5, 4/6, 5/6.
How low is feasible for DD?
Best place to purchase turn-key kit?
Opinions on shorter shocks or shock extenders?
One concern I have is driveline vibration due to pinion angles. I chased this with my 2/4 drop.
Any advice on kits and pics welcome to help me decide.
Jeff
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...6/100_3184.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...6/100_3192.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...6/100_3191.jpg

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Welcome Aboard !

May as well get this over with.....

:wop:

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Your definately going to get alot of different opinions. Definately start with at least a 3/5. You could go with 3" spindles up front and a flip kit out back. Some people apparently have problems with 8" rallies rubbing the lower control arms though and have to do some trimming on them. You wouldn't have to worry about an alignment then. If you wanted to go lower after that you could always add lowering springs in the front and a drop shackle out back.

I went 5/7 on the project I am working on and I am afraid I might have went too low but time will tell. (It is just a rolling chassis now)

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Thanks for the welcome, and you're right..... pictures required.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Here's a pic of my stock 78 454 SWB I lowered 2/4 with spindles/shackles/hangers. I want the same stock look on this 87, but a little lower. Maybe 3/5 or 4/6.




http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/JAG66/78Silv.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...Silverado9.jpg

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

I THINK the lowest you can go in back without a notch is 5'" but im not 100% sure.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

hey JAG66, what size tires are on the '78? are you running 8" ralleys all the way around?

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

i went with a 5-7 kit. on my my 85.
no issues thus far with lca. runs good. no issues going over bumps or tracks etc. i personally think if you do a 2-3 2-4 3-5 etc, you might end up wanting more. so i went ahead a got a 5-7 kit. to not have to do the same thing a couple times. i have 8 inch ralleys. and so far no issues.
trucks look good stock. and great lowered in my opinion.

good luck with truck either way.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

I agree ^^ nice truck btw.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Your truck looks like it just rolled out of the showroom!!! Great find!

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

BFG's 255/70/15 on stock 8" ralleys on both trucks.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Others? Is 5" my max rear drop without a frame notch? I don't mind removing the bump stop, but will not cut the frame.
Any pictures of stock trucks with a 3/5? How would 4/5 look? Too "raked?"
I only want to go into the front once. I can tweak the rear to taste.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

gotta ditch the spare tire holder under the bed too. and do a 4/5 drop 3inch spindle half a coil cut in the stock spring (1inch) 5inch flip kit out back

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

I fliped mine dropped it 5-6", no notch, just removed bump stop, no probs!

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Do a 3/5 now and go 5/7 when you get the 18's. Don't be afraid to notch the frame. It's only metal.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

4/6 on my 87 and I love it! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF5792.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF5782.jpg

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

nice truck....a 4,6 is a good all around choice without too many clearance worries.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

I did 3/5 on mine with spindles and flip kit. I am still going to cut half a coil and see how that looks. Might go a whole coil and make it a 5/5 drop. Rear 5" drop definatley has to loose the bump stop but no notch needed.

http://bigtjohnsons.com/images/86%20Chevy/DSC01369.JPG
http://bigtjohnsons.com/images/86%20Chevy/DSC01370.JPG

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

That's what I was worrying about with a 3/5.... dragging butt nose high. Even with my 4/6, you can see the front has more gap than the rear but that may be because of the small 235/60 on the front.

Awesome truck either way and cutting the coils should put it where it should be.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

What kit did you use? DJM, Bell Tech?

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

I used DJM. I also have 18's on the front and 20's on the back so thats another reason for the gap difference. I was looking more for the slightly raked look than a leveled look which is what i have now.

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

Amazing truck!

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

I guess if I go with a 4" front drop, I obtain 3" spindles and 1" coils?

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

right cut half of the stock coil = 1inch of drop

Re: 87 SWB lowering advice
 

There was a very nice write up in sport truck mag that was a black square, they did a 5/5 drop with 20s and larger tires, it looked really nice. I will see if I can find the link for you.