Newbie To Trucks Needs A Little Help!

[GMC"ER]

Hello all I am completely new to the truck scene and I didn't know where to post my question? As I stated I just bought my first truck it is a 1969 GMC stepside that has had some work already done to it. It is a V8 Automatic the truck had been a driver until the previous owner started a amateur restoration job on it. He had removed the cab and bed and redone the chassis and fixed most things on the truck removed all rusted parts with new parts and painted it. Has a Locar floor shifter and the interior has been basically redone. New tires with black wagon rims with an extra set of 8" factory rallies but not on the truck yet. Plus the truck runs great! He lost interest in it and sold it to me needs basic things done to make it a driver again. I am a Ford Model a guy (oops! wrong brand for here!) so I need some help. I want to lower it without spending a ton of money on it as I had to give 2500.00 for it as it sits and I really didn't know if that was a good price or not hope I didn't get burnt? I have researched here and on line and I want to keep my drum brakes and use DJM brand 3" front lowering springs and DJM brand 5" rear leaf flip kit with new shorter shocks will this make the truck set and look right as I think that a pickup sets about 2" higher in the rear standard? I am not really concerned with a real great ride as it will only be driven every once in a while and I am use to drum brake as the Model A has mechanical brakes on it just a step above a go-cart! I just want to know if this will work with the springs and flip kit and keep my drum setup and make the truck have the right stance? Thanks for the help Sorry for being so long winded! Also here are a few pictures and sorry but I could not help showing off the Model A it was my first antique vehicle until now the GMC. Thanks from East Tennessee, Robert

[Lee H]

Robert, welcome to the board and to the C10 world. Lee
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[70cst]

Hey GMC"ER & from Ohio on your purchase. Looks like a very project.

[eagleuh1]

Looks to me like you did real good on the deal. Nice looking truck. Like the T also.

[BET68]

Welcome from Western North Carolina

[dmack91]

I think you did just fine for $2500. Would have been nice if the PO would have taped off the rest of the body when he sprayed the black though (probably planned on painting it anyway, but how tough is it to throw down a drop cloth).

As far as the drop goes, the 2" difference seems about normal. You may have to C notch the rear frame if you do the axle flip though (not a big deal - $100 and bolt in kits available).

The not fun part of buying a disassembled project is finding out all the little things that are missing - kind of like a scavenger hunt.

Enjoy.

[sanford66]

Nice looking GMC project you have there. I don't think you did bad on the price, the body looks strait to me. By the way nice Model A. I had a restored 1928 2-door sedan a few years ago. I would drive it to the gas station to get a pop and couldn't leave for a 1/2 an hour because all the people stopping to look at it and ask questions. Those old A's are fun but there closer to driving a tractor than a car! Good luck with your truck project and welcome from Kansas. Joseph

[GMC"ER]

Thanks guys for the welcome hope to ask a lot of questions here for sure! For a little clarification would my described lowering of the truck with the 3" drop springs in front and a axle flip of 5" in the rear be about the right way to go would it be fairly level or not? Thanks Robert

[67_C-30]

Welcome to the board!

There's about a 2" difference in the front and rear, so yes 3/5 is going to be pretty much level. Some people have reported that the 3" drop springs can fall out of cups if you jack the up, but others have said they had no problems. I've never personally used them. You will have to remove the bumpstop on the lower A arm to run those springs.

[GMC"ER]

Thanks 67 C-30 now for the real dumb question what are the bump stops on the A arms and what do they look like? Sorry for sounding dumber than a brick but as I said my first truck. Thanks Robert

[NINERS1]

Nice truck! I did 3" springs on my last project and had a hard time with front end alignment, way too many shims! lol.also it would bottom out on bumps. i would recomend 2.5 spindles and 1" springs, cost a little more but way better ride. good luck and keep us posted!!

[dmack91]

Originally Posted by GMC"ER

Thanks 67 C-30 now for the real dumb question what are the bump stops on the A arms and what do they look like? Sorry for sounding dumber than a brick but as I said my first truck. Thanks Robert

The bump stops are the triangular pieces of rubber, about 2-3" tall, mounted upright on the lower a-arms. They help stop the springs from bottoming out.