4.5/6
 

i bought a 4.5/6 belltech kit with drop shocks. does any one have any tips? i will be installing it on the shop floor with floor jack and jack stands. i will rent a spring compressor. what else is needed. i am working in a big rig shop so all small tools are available. do i have to trim my lca's? i am running 15x8 ralleys i need to order a new set of tires what is the best sizes front and rear. preferred larger in the back.
Thanks in advanced

Re: 4.5/6
 

if u have 3" spindles u will need to do some grinding to use the 15x8 rallys....here is a pic of mine wth 5/6 drop 255/60 tire up front an 275/60 rear

Re: 4.5/6
 

got the front of the truck dropped last night/this morning
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...0818-00129.jpg
got the back finished up tonight
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...n4x4/photo.jpg

i had to grind what i thought was a lot off the lca to clear my rallies

Re: 4.5/6
 

2 big hammers will help you separate the ball joints and tie rods from their taper, in case you didn't know already.
I use a 3 lb sledge as a backup/anvil and a 3 lb ball peen to break them loose.
Back up one side of the spindle or steering arm with the sledge and give it a few sharp wacks on the other side and they will [U]usually[U] pop right off.
In my opinion easier and with less fuss or dmg to the boots than a pickle fork.

Re: 4.5/6
 

Did you have an issue with the lower shock bolt on the driver side rear with the nut sitting on the plate where the ubolts go through.

Re: 4.5/6
 

yes. i couldn't even get the nut to line up with the bolt. i ended up pulling the u bolts and plate back off and putting the shock on first with the bolt going the other way. Then redoing the plates and u bolts. i realize this could come back to bite me, if/when i have to change shocks but, the head of the bolt clears the plate.

Re: 4.5/6
 

Yeah I thought about doing that but im just going to order some shock extenders.Having to pull all apart to change shock is a little to much work.Truck looks good.What did you use up front 3"spindle 1.5" spring

Re: 4.5/6
 

mine has to all come apart again any ways. i only have 3 springs + over load on the back so i have to add the 4th leaf back and hopefully it will level out a bit. does anyone know how much left i would get by putting the 2nd longest leaf back in? previous owner removed it, i have to steal it from my parts truck

Re: 4.5/6
 

Most all 81-87 SWB C10 that Ive seen all had a 4 leaf pack(3 thin plus 1 thick overload). Did the PO tell you that he removed a leaf or are you guessing he did? By the looks of this after pic the front looks like it only lowered by about 2.5-3in from stock, not 4.5in. Are you sure the front springs are fully seated in the pockets top and bottom? BTW adding a leaf will lift the rear 1-2in, the short leafs lift more than the longer leafs.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...n4x4/photo.jpg

Re: 4.5/6
 

Like JKnight said. most have 4 rear leafs for those years, and mine being a 74 has only 4 as well. As you can see from pic below, mine has that Chevy stink bug stance with only 4 leafs in the back. What did you do for the front drop, spring and spindle wise? And you did what flip kit in the rear? Have to c-notch?


http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...56632%3Anu0mrj

Re: 4.5/6
 

he said he did, and by the looks of the way it was painted, there was another one. i only took a quick glance at it thought so i may be mistaken. can some one give me a measurement to the fender lip on the front with a 4.5 or 5" drop? i have 275 60 15 all around. looking at other pics the front should be lower but i thought the spring was seated, i drove it about 30 miles and haven't taken any more pics but, it definitely still has the stink bug stance.

Re: 4.5/6
 

my 74 c10 has 7-8 springs is that normal?

Re: 4.5/6
 

i never did a c notch, i didnt want to cut the frame. i can fit my fist between the axle and frame, and i dont plan on hauling or towing with the truck at all

Re: 4.5/6
 

Quoute: my 74 c10 has 7-8 springs is that normal?

Frog210, I am not sure, I thought someone here said that some were lighter duty and only had 4 like mine. Cause if mine was supposed to have 7-8 of them like yours, and now it has only 4, man that back end must have been wayyy up in the air and if 3-4 were taken out, my back end would be way lower.

Canadian 4x4: I hope i can lower the rear on mine 6 as well with out the axle being to close to the frame. I too do not plan on hauling or towing with mine either..

Re: 4.5/6
 

You realy can't compare a light duty 4 leaf pack to a heavy duty 8 leaf pack with regard to ride height. They are both designed for the same ride height just different load carrying abilities.
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Re: 4.5/6
 

i cant get my truck to sit level. back is 26" from ground to fender lip. front is 28 1/2" its only out by about an inch at the body line, but still not the way i want it to look. do those measurements seem reasonable? tires are 275/60 i believe for some reason i cant remember now

Re: 4.5/6
 

The front fender opening is taller than the rear. I bet if you set a level on your bed rail on a level surface the truck is sitting level.
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Re: 4.5/6
 

the body line is out by about 1/2". i have only drove about 200 miles. will the front springs settle more?

Re: 4.5/6
 

what company made your drop kit. thanks

Re: 4.5/6
 

Its a Belltech kit

Re: 4.5/6
 

i like the setup. those 275/60's look really wide on the back. looks awesome

Re: 4.5/6
 

What drop kit did you use? Do you front tires rub at all?