lowering, steering and brakes.

[loef]

Hello, i am new here and my English is not that good, but i will do my best.
First i find it very nice to see there are so many enthousiasts of the old c10 chevrolet (a little bit far away, but with internet that is not a big problem).
Its to long ago (11 years) that i bought an '68 shortbed fleetside imported from your country, i desided after a time to do an complete restoration.
The chassis and all the sheetmetal were sandblasted and coated.
Dith complete rebuilt the engine, that was more expensive than to buy an rebuild block but i like doing it myself.
I think the engine is older than the truck, it is an 327 cu" but the number is TOQI2HC and is not original mounted as i can see (it has camelhump heads).
In the beginning it was an problem to get parts but now i can order them online, truckandcarshop has everything to complete the restoration and think order parts overthere now ( i dith read good things over here).

But to lower it 2" front and 4" back i am not sure yet to use springs or spindles, first i want to keep good comfort. Does someone now if that stays if you use 2" lowered springs front and rear together with 2" blocks rear?
And does the braking improve with using discbrakes and not mounting an brakebooster, only an discbrakemastercilinder (250,- less).

And the best tire size on 15-8 ralley wheels are 255/65 15 ? does the tachometer work correct then? or can i better use something else.

I dith chance manual steering to powered but can't get the air from the system (with steering when wheels are of the ground).
I used an new pump but an used gearbox and think the gearbox is not ok, but i am not sure (i am going to order a rebuild one).
Has anyone experience with that problem?

Thank you already for answering, and greetings from Holland.

[jimmydean]

Welcome to the board!

If your springs are good (as in not 30 years old) then spindles will keep the front end stock while giving you the stance you're looking for. If you have original springs, then lowering springs front and rear would improve the ride and give you the stance you want.

As for the disc brakes, I'me sure they stop better than the drums, but not sure how much without the booster.

[ChevyCrazy67]

welcome from south Alabama, and I agree with jimmy. I've rode in a few trucks that were lowered 2-4 with springs and the ride was very nice. I just ordered some for mine and hoping for the same results.

[loef]

Thanks, i am convinced now.
And what tire size would you choose for 15-8 ralley wheels?
I did already order them by an local dealer but did not mention something about backspace, i did read about it later on this forum.

Greetings (groeten).

[GMan69]

Welcome from Mississippi.
Before you replace the steering gearbox you should try replacing the power steering pump. Much less money and more likely to be the problem. But even before you do that, try again to pump air out of the system. With engine running and the cap removed from the pump reservoir, turn your wheels left-right-left-right, lock-to-lock several times (8-10 times). Hope this helps.

[loef]

thanks for thinking with me, but with the chance from manual to powersteering i did mount a new pump. (could be defect even then i agree)
Is it possible that it is a wrong type or can you adjust something on the pump?
Because it is an old 327" engine, i had to mount the pump left under the waterpump (i had ordered mountings for that), so its about on the same level as the gearbox. But did saw that on other usa cars so i suppose that's not a problem.
I did steer from left to right many times with wheels from the ground but the pump is stil making that cavitation noise, and after turning the engine off there's coming oil with air coming out of the filling neck.

ps; sorry for not introducing myself on the right forum, i did see it to late.

ps2; i have no digital foto's yet.

[bryanw1968]

Greetings from Texas!!!

I have a 1/2 ton '68 short bed step side. I used the 2"/4" drop kit from Early Classic and it rides fantastic. I also did a disc brake conversion on the front but used stock spindles since I had already dropped it using springs. I would also highly recommend installing a front sway bar. That alone made the biggest handling improvment.

Good luck!
B-dub

[loef]

Thanks a lot for all the reply, i will put this site on top off my bookmark list.