Wanting to drop - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Frank71 · 09-18-2009, 01:33 AM

Any suggestions on how much I should drop my 71 (I don,t want to slam it). I just want to lower it some and put on some street rubber 275X60 15's. Any ideas.

PanelDeland · 09-18-2009, 08:28 AM

2 1/2-4 was just right for me.It brought it down enough for the QOV to get in easier and with the disc's(it's a 68) it was a good mod.I'm running 235/70-15 front and 255/70-15 rear and it sits level.You might look thru the gallery and see what others have done and what suits you.

72BlckButy · 09-18-2009, 08:32 AM

Is that a LWB?

IMO, I like the 4.5/6 drop on my truck. It offered a great looking stance and the "cool" factor without a lot of modification to the original structure of the truck (just a little grinding on the lower a-arm).

KMACD71 · 09-18-2009, 10:06 AM

Before and after 2.5/4 drop when I still had rally wheels on it. 255/60/15 I believe. Name: IMG_19102.jpg
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jsbgump · 09-18-2009, 10:12 AM

I think the 2.5/4 drop should be aabhout where you would want to be. Check out ECE's website for ride height pics and great parts

Frank71 · 09-18-2009, 03:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestions and pics, this helps alot. I just picked up the truck a few months ago and thought I would do a few things over the winter. If I went 2/4 can I get away with just springs and shocks?

72BlckButy · 09-20-2009, 02:26 PM

I can't recall if you will need shock relocators, but the kit offered by Early Classic Entprises will get you to where you need to be. Check out their site... www.earlyclassic.com

Just checked... ECE offers a standard and premium package. ($359-479)

unclewatts · 09-21-2009, 01:18 AM

If you're gonna drop the front 2" use 2' drop spindles so you don't screw up your front end geometry. You'll (and your tires) be much happier in the long run.

Frank71 · 09-22-2009, 03:15 PM

Thanks, I just spoke to ECE and they were a great help. I think I will do a 2.5 spindle drop and a 4" spring in the rear.

texanidiot25 · 09-22-2009, 04:27 PM

3" front drop springs are as low as springs can go and still get a good alignment.

Of course mine are sagging and it's around 4"

But the alignment is still good, tires are wearing fine, and I drive hundreds of miles a week over all sorts of roads, travel is just enough with a good set of shocks

UltraBlue71 · 09-22-2009, 06:12 PM

The cheapest way I know of is to cut your springs! Folks have been doing it for years, and you can do it in increments, start with a full coil up front and a half coil in the back, if ya like it, great, if not, take a little more out, on old springs the truck will bottom out a little easier so be careful on those bumps, i have a set of traintrack by my house i always forget about, WHAM-O! I had my rear leaves dearched by a spring shop which cost more but was easier for me than trying to rebuild camper special spring packs, and I got the stance I wanted. Good Luck! OBTW when you start taking those control arms apart be careful, use a spring compressor before you take the bottom ball joint apart, if not, those suckers fly out fast!

texanidiot25 · 09-22-2009, 10:11 PM

You can't cut the rear coils. Won't bolt back into the suspension

09-18-2009, 01:33 AM	#1
Frank71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 190	Wanting to drop Any suggestions on how much I should drop my 71 (I don,t want to slam it). I just want to lower it some and put on some street rubber 275X60 15's. Any ideas. Attached Images

09-18-2009, 08:28 AM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Wanting to drop 2 1/2-4 was just right for me.It brought it down enough for the QOV to get in easier and with the disc's(it's a 68) it was a good mod.I'm running 235/70-15 front and 255/70-15 rear and it sits level.You might look thru the gallery and see what others have done and what suits you. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

09-18-2009, 08:32 AM	#3
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Wanting to drop Is that a LWB? IMO, I like the 4.5/6 drop on my truck. It offered a great looking stance and the "cool" factor without a lot of modification to the original structure of the truck (just a little grinding on the lower a-arm). __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

09-18-2009, 10:06 AM	#4
KMACD71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lethbridge,Alberta Posts: 532	Re: Wanting to drop Before and after 2.5/4 drop when I still had rally wheels on it. 255/60/15 I believe.

09-18-2009, 10:12 AM	#5
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: Wanting to drop I think the 2.5/4 drop should be aabhout where you would want to be. Check out ECE's website for ride height pics and great parts __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

09-18-2009, 03:22 PM	#6
Frank71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 190	Re: Wanting to drop Thanks for the suggestions and pics, this helps alot. I just picked up the truck a few months ago and thought I would do a few things over the winter. If I went 2/4 can I get away with just springs and shocks?

09-20-2009, 02:26 PM	#7
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Wanting to drop I can't recall if you will need shock relocators, but the kit offered by Early Classic Entprises will get you to where you need to be. Check out their site... www.earlyclassic.com Just checked... ECE offers a standard and premium package. ($359-479) __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package) Last edited by 72BlckButy; 09-20-2009 at 02:28 PM.

09-21-2009, 01:18 AM	#8
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Wanting to drop If you're gonna drop the front 2" use 2' drop spindles so you don't screw up your front end geometry. You'll (and your tires) be much happier in the long run. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

09-22-2009, 03:15 PM	#9
Frank71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 190	Re: Wanting to drop Thanks, I just spoke to ECE and they were a great help. I think I will do a 2.5 spindle drop and a 4" spring in the rear.

09-22-2009, 04:27 PM	#10
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Wanting to drop 3" front drop springs are as low as springs can go and still get a good alignment. Of course mine are sagging and it's around 4" But the alignment is still good, tires are wearing fine, and I drive hundreds of miles a week over all sorts of roads, travel is just enough with a good set of shocks Last edited by texanidiot25; 09-22-2009 at 04:28 PM.

09-22-2009, 06:12 PM	#11
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: Wanting to drop The cheapest way I know of is to cut your springs! Folks have been doing it for years, and you can do it in increments, start with a full coil up front and a half coil in the back, if ya like it, great, if not, take a little more out, on old springs the truck will bottom out a little easier so be careful on those bumps, i have a set of traintrack by my house i always forget about, WHAM-O! I had my rear leaves dearched by a spring shop which cost more but was easier for me than trying to rebuild camper special spring packs, and I got the stance I wanted. Good Luck! OBTW when you start taking those control arms apart be careful, use a spring compressor before you take the bottom ball joint apart, if not, those suckers fly out fast! __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB

09-22-2009, 10:11 PM	#12
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Wanting to drop You can't cut the rear coils. Won't bolt back into the suspension



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