Early Classic 4/6 drop .. who has it? What's your thoughts?

[~Whitey~]

Been contemplating a 4/6 drop for my 69 short bed and have read many, many threads but can't seem to find much information on what people actually think of them in ride quality and whether or not the kits are complete. They sure make the truck look good and I'm sold on that aspect, but I would like to hear from people who actually have a 4/6 drop installed on their truck.

1. What's the ride quality like?
2. If you do have the Early Classic kit.. Is it complete?
3. Did you have to buy anything else to make it work?
4. Does you truck slam on the rear axle on mild bumps? I've heard/read from some you need a c-notch and some say you don't.
5. Can you still haul stuff in your truck without problems?
6. Are they're any problems making the kit work or is it pretty much install and go?

I have already converted the front over to disc brakes.

One of my main concerns is I don't want to spend $750 on the kit only to find out I need to spend another $400 to make it work.

thanks in advance.

[c10Dream'n]

The information I've gathered from other members.

Members will also ask what size tires and wheels you plan on running.

1. What's the ride quality like? I hear the ride quality is great.

2. If you do have the Early Classic kit.. Is it complete? I don't have the kit, but it appears to be complete and I have not heard otherwise.

3.Did you have to buy anything else to make it work? Not that I know of.

4.Does your truck slam on the rear axle on mild bumps? I've heard/read from some you need a c-notch and some say you don't. Some people will suggest a c-notch if you plan to do occasional hauling. If you plan on just using it for regular driving, a c-notch is not required. I bought a c-notch from Porterbuilt and I just plan on using my truck for regular driving. I just wanted that extra clearance so that it doesn't bottom out on minor bumps or unexpected potholes, etc.

5. Can you still haul stuff in your truck without problems? Depends on the load capacity.

6. Are they're any problems making the kit work or is it pretty much install and go? I've heard it was a straight forward install. Only thing that had to be changed was the relocation of the shock mount brackets.

All of this is info I gathered from other memberes. I've been doing my homework myself. I'm sure others will chime in soon.

[jmking9]

Hey Jimmy, I have the ECE kit on my truck and I am very satisfied. The only difference in mine is I had them swap the 1.5" spring for a 2" spring to get a 4.5" front drop. Here are my answers to your questions.


1. Ride quality is very good. Its not a Cadillac, But it is far from rough. I noticed a HUGE difference in the way mine handled as compared to stock. Even with no swaybars. (yet)

2. The kit is complete. I replaced ball joints and tie rods when I did mine, but I dont think any kits will come with those. There was nothing else I needed to complete the job. The kits include all the high quality hardware you will need.

3. As I said above, the kit included everything

4. I put notches in mine and I am glad I did. Mine has never bottomed out that I know of, but without a notch you would definitly hit the bumpstops from time to time IMO. They (ECE) say it's pointless to put notches in because the rearend will hit the bed floor before you hit the bumpstop in the notch. But my thinking was, with notches you eliminate the stock bumpstop and give yourself a couple more inches before bottoming out. My rearend has never hit the bed floor. So I think its really up to you. You'll get varying opinions on this one. I would put in the notches on again if I ever do another one.

5. I havent hauled much with my truck. I did haul a complete small block in it and that was about as much as I would want to put in there. I guess it depends on what your needing to haul. Some odds and ends, yes its fine. A load of sand...I wouldnt.

6. The kit went together very well. To me, the worst part it getting those old rivets out of the frame for the shock relocators. But this has nothing to do with the kit.

Over all, I would highly recommend ECE. The parts are very well made. Hope I helped a little

[~Whitey~]

Thanks for the replies.. Exactly what I'm need to know. I have already totally rebuilt my front end so... ball joints, tie rods, etc.. are all done. Sounds like the C-Notch is a "better to do it now" kind of thing than to realize afterwards you wish you would have.. Where do you all buy your Cnotches from?

[c10Dream'n]

Originally Posted by ~Whitey~

Thanks for the replies.. Exactly what I'm need to know. I have already totally rebuilt my front end so... ball joints, tie rods, etc.. are all done. Sounds like the C-Notch is a "better to do it now" kind of thing than to realize afterwards you wish you would have.. Where do you all buy your Cnotches from?

I just ordered my PorterBuilt notch last week. I have heard great things about them as well. A little more on the pricey side, but other members crave about their products. Price was $265 shipped to my door.

[jmking9]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cl...FRA5nAodyQ0A9w

They are $106.95 @ summit for CPP brand

[jmking9]

Even better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/63-72-64-65-...1125ae&vxp=mtr

[jmking9]

The first picture is mine without a notch. The is no original bumpstop in there, but you can see where if there were you wouldnt get much travel before hitting it. I never drove it like this so I am only speculating.

The second pic is mine after the notch was put in. EDIT: Notch was from CPP about $100 Very well made also

[~Whitey~]

thanks Jonathan.. $100 isn't bad.. for some reason I was thinking they were way more than that...

[Rusbuilt]

Originally Posted by jmking9

The first picture is mine without a notch. The is no original bumpstop in there, but you can see where if there were you wouldnt get much travel before hitting it. I never drove it like this so I am only speculating.

The second pic is mine after the notch was put in. EDIT: Notch was from CPP about $100 Very well made also

I'm pretty sure in the second pic your upper shock brackets are on backwards.

[jmking9]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

I'm pretty sure in the second pic your upper shock brackets are on backwards.

I wondered how long it would take to get called out on that. I noticed it after the pic was taken and flipped them around. Good eye!

[Rusbuilt]

Originally Posted by jmking9

I wondered how long it would take to get called out on that. I noticed it after the pic was taken and flipped them around. Good eye!

[Tx Firefighter]

I just counted and I have lowered six of my own trucks 4/6 with ECE parts since the year 2000.

The kits are fully complete. You will need a tub of wheel bearing grease for your bearings and a jar of brake fluid to refill the brakes. Every single other thing is included. All nuts, bolts, cotter pins, everything.

I have never notched any of my trucks and won't be doing any in the future. I've hauled engines and lots of motorcycles without problem, even a Goldwing motorcycle.

There are a few things in life that you can buy that give perfect service but they cost more than the competition. Danner boots, snapOn tools, and Early Classic Suspension parts. Buy the best and cry once. Read the review board before you buy any CPP stuff. We ought to rename that board the CPP complaint section.
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[hfd410]

I used the 4/6 ECE kit as well. Simple install with very high quality parts. Everything was included....

[67anthony]

love it

[~Whitey~]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I just counted and I have lowered six of my own trucks 4/6 with ECE parts since the year 2000.

The kits are fully complete. You will need a tub of wheel bearing grease for your bearings and a jar of brake fluid to refill the brakes. Every single other thing is included. All nuts, bolts, cotter pins, everything.

I have never notched any of my trucks and won't be doing any in the future. I've hauled engines and lots of motorcycles without problem, even a Goldwing motorcycle.

There are a few things in life that you can buy that give perfect service but they cost more than the competition. Danner boots, snapOn tools, and Early Classic Suspension parts. Buy the best and cry once. Read the review board before you buy any CPP stuff. We ought to rename that board the CPP complaint section.
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Originally Posted by hfd410

I used the 4/6 ECE kit as well. Simple install with very high quality parts. Everything was included....

Originally Posted by 67anthony

love it

you all have me sold on the 4/6, I've not read anything negative about it, and none of you have given it a bad review... Any doubts I had are gone. I'm going to order it tomorrow. Early Classic said they don't offer an actual discount but would save me some money on shipping for being a board member.

Still undecided on the c-notch, but sounds like I can get by just fine without one.
Thank you all for the input. Really appreciate it.
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[magwakeenercew2jh]

Not that you need any more info.

ECE 4-6 here, too. Same as on my previous '72.
Wouldn't do it any other way.

Say "hello" to Stan and Mark for me
(Bill Keener... they wouldn't know from "M17").

I haven't been down there for a while.

'Cause all the stuff that's on my truck that I bought from them
(almost EVERYTHING ON THE TRUCK) is the best quality...
.....and it all works.

[19GMC66]

I have had ECE 4/6 on two of my trucks and it is the best complete kits for static drops.. But had to go with Porterbuilt when 4/6 wasn't low enough!
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[~Whitey~]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

Not that you need any more info.

ECE 4-6 here, too. Same as on my previous '72.
Wouldn't do it any other way.

Say "hello" to Stan and Mark for me
(Bill Keener... they wouldn't know from "M17").

I haven't been down there for a while.

'Cause all the stuff that's on my truck that I bought from them
(almost EVERYTHING ON THE TRUCK) is the best quality...
.....and it all works.

Great looking ride. Man it sets nice. Are you running a c notch?

Originally Posted by 19GMC66

I have had ECE 4/6 on two of my trucks and it is the best complete kits for static drops.. But had to go with Porterbuilt when 4/6 wasn't low enough!
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Haha. I'll keep that in mind. One of the reason I'm going 4/6 is I want to make sure it's low enough.... who knows I might go even lower someday.

Are you running a c notch?
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[big_al_71]

What's the ride quality like?
Quality was excellent
If you do have the Early Classic kit.. Is it complete?
I had the complete kit
Did you have to buy anything else to make it work?
NO!!
Does you truck slam on the rear axle on mild bumps? I've heard/read from some you need a c-notch and some say you don't.
You do not need a cnotch I drove my truck for three years with this kit and if I remember right it may have bottomed out once driving on a back road going really fast..
Can you still haul stuff in your truck without problems?
You can but if you go really heavy it will bottom out
Are they're any problems making the kit work or is it pretty much install and go?
It is pretty much a plug and play..



I bagged my truck about a year and half ago but the prevuious three years it was a 4/6 ece kit. no complaints at all..

[~Whitey~]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

What's the ride quality like?

I bagged my truck about a year and half ago but the prevuious three years it was a 4/6 ece kit. no complaints at all..

Thanks for the input Big Al.. I have admired your truck for some time now. Beautiful!

[Chief29]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

What's the ride quality like?
Quality was excellent
If you do have the Early Classic kit.. Is it complete?
I had the complete kit
Did you have to buy anything else to make it work?
NO!!
Does you truck slam on the rear axle on mild bumps? I've heard/read from some you need a c-notch and some say you don't.
You do not need a cnotch I drove my truck for three years with this kit and if I remember right it may have bottomed out once driving on a back road going really fast..
Can you still haul stuff in your truck without problems?
You can but if you go really heavy it will bottom out
Are they're any problems making the kit work or is it pretty much install and go?
It is pretty much a plug and play..



I bagged my truck about a year and half ago but the prevuious three years it was a 4/6 ece kit. no complaints at all..

Love this truck. This is the look I'm going for but mine is a long bed. I have big Al's build tread saved
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[sduckworth13]

Jimmy, I'm not trying to be a salesman for Porterbuilt, but the C- Notch they make is a two piece unit and look easy to install and they are heavy duty. That is the one I'm going with this time around.
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[~Whitey~]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Jimmy, I'm not trying to be a salesman for Porterbuilt, but the C- Notch they make is a two piece unit and look easy to install and they are heavy duty. That is the one I'm going with this time around.
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Yeah I want a heavy duty one so I can still tow someday.... I know I'll want to cruise this bad boy with a boat or camper in tow. I'll check them out. Thanks!


Wow, those are nice... You can feel the quality jumping off the page. haha
http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.com/?p=385

I wonder if they offer a discount for forum members?

[sduckworth13]

I had a 4.5 / 6 drop on my 67 gmc and just from my experience I was always scraping pavement with my lower control arms even when I thought I was going to clear. So this time around I'm going to go with tubular lower arms to give me just a bit more clearence. I don't know if a half inch or a full inch extra clearence justifies spending 600.00 but that's the plan I'm going with.
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