Just bought me a 85 swb. advice on lowering

[hotrodder]

I just upgraded to a 85 swb !!! Just sold my 67 stepside and got a 85 swb, I need advice from you guys on lowering the truck. I can,t afford a high dollar drop kit, so how is the best way to do it without spending a big wad of cash?
I'm sure this has been gone over many times, but I am new to this site. Been over on the 67-72 side.

[TrailerTrash]

what is your budget?

[UKNOWME]

Spindles, cut a coil from front springs and install this flip kit http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=674969.

[UKNOWME]

Not sure how low you want to go either.

[Aaron_L]

That's cheap for a flip kit. If you can weld you can buy new leaf spring perches and weld them to the bottom of the axle. I paid $16 for the pair I bought at a local dirt track shop. However for $40 to your door you can't hardly beat it

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by Aaron_L

If you can weld you can buy new leaf spring perches and weld them to the bottom of the axle.

I paid $12 at my local Chrysler dealership for a pair. #4120074

[hotrodder]

the flip kit seems like the way to go for the rear. Whose spindles would you say are the ones to use? My budget is in the 300.00-400.00 range. Would I need to have different shocks? Bear with me here I'm new to this sort of stuff.

[hotrodder]

Probably 4-6 drop or so.

[mongocanfly]

Way back when I had my 86 and not a lot of money I simply cut one coil off the front and took 2 leafs out of the back..results were about 2/3 drop...total cost $0.00.
But I did go back and put air shocks on the rear so I could haul my junk..I've got a buddy now with a 4/5 drop on a 86 with 18/20s and it looks great but he said if he had it to do over he would go 3/4..he said it gets aggervating on our ruff roads..

[SkinnyG]

With spindles and a coil cut, you can use stock shocks in the front.

With a flip kit and shock extenders, you can use stock shocks in the rear. Otherwise use 73-87 4x4 front shocks in the back (gotta finagle the bushings a bit to make it work).

With a notched frame and a flip kit, the stock shocks, even with extenders, will be too long. With the 4x4 shocks, notch, and flip kit -the bed floor will rest on the pumpkin when fully loaded.

I will likely add helper bags to mine, since I ~do~ haul stuff, but I love the 5/6 drop.

[ultrahd4me]

You can get a 4.5/6 drop very easy with your truck. 2-1/2 drop spindle (Summit racing $250) & 1 full round off your stock springs (2" drop) gets you to 4-1/2. On the rear I use DJM flip kit with the shock extensions ( Summit racing $80) that gets you 5.5-6". New stock length shocks ( $80-$100) on all 4 corners and your good to go with the same ride quality to have now. You will have 3-4" of clearance before hitting the frame rails with this setup, so I don't run a c-notch. Here a few pics of my trucks with this same setup. I hope this helps.

[hotrodder]

That is the look I am after!! Thank you for the info and price break down. The truck has 285/50/20,s. Think these tires are too big for this type of drop?

[ultrahd4me]

The tires are 245/40/20 & 275/45/20 on torq thrust 20x8 & 20x10

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by ultrahd4me

The tires are 245/40/20 & 275/45/20 on torq thrust 20x8 & 20x10

I think I asked you on another thread but what backspace are you running? Also are those mass produced or custom made offset?

[calvin78612]

Originally Posted by ultrahd4me

You can get a 4.5/6 drop very easy with your truck. 2-1/2 drop spindle (Summit racing $250) & 1 full round off your stock springs (2" drop) gets you to 4-1/2. On the rear I use DJM flip kit with the shock extensions ( Summit racing $80) that gets you 5.5-6". New stock length shocks ( $80-$100) on all 4 corners and your good to go with the same ride quality to have now. You will have 3-4" of clearance before hitting the frame rails with this setup, so I don't run a c-notch. Here a few pics of my trucks with this same setup. I hope this helps.

Which flip kit on summit are you using ? Do you have a p/n for the spacers ?

[ultrahd4me]

Here you go: DJM Suspension Flip Kits FK1024-5, I'll get the wheel spacer info this weekend.

[calvin78612]

Thanks !

[Houston Ben]

From my experience I would go spindle and flip kit. I did a 2/4 and found one of my spindles to be bad and the rear leaf spring mount was a PITA to get off.

[mongocanfly]

Dang it ultra hd..those are some super nice squares you got there...