Dropped Kits/Alignment - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BraveDave · 01-01-2003, 07:20 PM

I am going for a 4-1/2 inch drop with 2-1/2 inch dropped spindles and 2" dropped springs on my '72 Super Cheyenne. Then I will take it to the shop to have the alignment done. Is there anything I need to tell them at the shop? I know the spindles won't make any difference, but do the springs put me on the "outer limits" of a proper alignment? Thanks!

Brave Dave

Gene · 01-01-2003, 07:38 PM

You should be ok with a 2 inch dropped spring, there is plenty of room for shims to add on the upper A-arm. I have 3 inch drop springs in mine and I had no such troubles. Man that truck will be slammed though! I had a truck with 3 inch drop spindles and 2 inch springs and wow! 5/6 is what you call a "real"slam! How are you lowering the back? Are you using blocks? You will need at least a 5 inch block to make it level. And the U-bolts will be very close to the ground.

Question for you though? How much more is it to air bag it nowdays? I hear the ride is excellent with the bags.

chevy2racr · 01-01-2003, 09:50 PM

I cut coils for th time being in my truck, I've got a bare block with heads and a tranny siting on the frame and a stepside bed without the floor I dunno how she's gonna sit or align but I got the tow in adjusted for how it sits....

BraveDave · 01-02-2003, 12:59 AM

Gene, I am going with a 3"dropped spring in the back. I like a little rake and I don't want to have to notch the frame. Airbag setups are pretty high. I think I can do mine for about $750.

ChevLoRay · 01-02-2003, 11:34 AM

I did a 2.5 drop spindles with stock height springs in front, and lowered the rear with 4-inch drop springs and adjustable track bar. I also replaced all the ball joints, all of the control arm bushings, including new upper shafts, new idler and pitman arms and tie rod ends. The alignment on my truck was done using factory specs from the '69 Shop Manual that I have and they are spot-on. I really like the way it looks and drives. But, I can't answer your question because of the additional lowering that the front springs will add.

68racer · 01-02-2003, 02:16 PM

When I cut the coils on mine I had it realigned to a handling spec, go for half a degree negative camber and 3 degrees caster. Can't remember the toe-in but stock or slightly less. The problem is not adding shims but removing them. You run out of shims to take out as you are trying to move the upper arm inwards.

01-01-2003, 07:20 PM	#1
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	Dropped Kits/Alignment I am going for a 4-1/2 inch drop with 2-1/2 inch dropped spindles and 2" dropped springs on my '72 Super Cheyenne. Then I will take it to the shop to have the alignment done. Is there anything I need to tell them at the shop? I know the spindles won't make any difference, but do the springs put me on the "outer limits" of a proper alignment? Thanks! Brave Dave __________________ '72 Chevy Cheyenne Super, '56 Chevy Bel Air,'56 Chevy Nomad, '61 Chevy Impala, '64 Cadillac Fleetwood, 1966 Thunderbird Convertible

01-01-2003, 07:38 PM	#2
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	You should be ok with a 2 inch dropped spring, there is plenty of room for shims to add on the upper A-arm. I have 3 inch drop springs in mine and I had no such troubles. Man that truck will be slammed though! I had a truck with 3 inch drop spindles and 2 inch springs and wow! 5/6 is what you call a "real"slam! How are you lowering the back? Are you using blocks? You will need at least a 5 inch block to make it level. And the U-bolts will be very close to the ground. Question for you though? How much more is it to air bag it nowdays? I hear the ride is excellent with the bags. __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

01-01-2003, 09:50 PM	#3
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	I cut coils for th time being in my truck, I've got a bare block with heads and a tranny siting on the frame and a stepside bed without the floor I dunno how she's gonna sit or align but I got the tow in adjusted for how it sits.... __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

01-02-2003, 12:59 AM	#4
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	Gene, I am going with a 3"dropped spring in the back. I like a little rake and I don't want to have to notch the frame. Airbag setups are pretty high. I think I can do mine for about $750. __________________ '72 Chevy Cheyenne Super, '56 Chevy Bel Air,'56 Chevy Nomad, '61 Chevy Impala, '64 Cadillac Fleetwood, 1966 Thunderbird Convertible

01-02-2003, 11:34 AM	#5
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I did a 2.5 drop spindles with stock height springs in front, and lowered the rear with 4-inch drop springs and adjustable track bar. I also replaced all the ball joints, all of the control arm bushings, including new upper shafts, new idler and pitman arms and tie rod ends. The alignment on my truck was done using factory specs from the '69 Shop Manual that I have and they are spot-on. I really like the way it looks and drives. But, I can't answer your question because of the additional lowering that the front springs will add. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-02-2003, 02:16 PM	#6
68racer Yeah baby! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 436	When I cut the coils on mine I had it realigned to a handling spec, go for half a degree negative camber and 3 degrees caster. Can't remember the toe-in but stock or slightly less. The problem is not adding shims but removing them. You run out of shims to take out as you are trying to move the upper arm inwards. __________________ 11.37 @116

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