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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 62
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Lowering help
I have been lurking and taking in all the information that has been posted over the years... and now I can't find an answer... so maybe ya'll can help me out.
I'm trying to wrap up the first stages (getting it legal and reliable) of a crewcab build and need some advice. Its an 88 crewcab with a 350 small block (1/2 ton drive train all the way). I swapped all the front 3/4 ton control arms and springs from my old 85 1/2 ton onto the 88 3/4 ton frame. The spring is a 1" drop spring from beltech (for a single cab truck, from donor truck). I took it to the alignment shop this morning and they say that its too low to get back in spec. I know the spring isn't rated for all the weight of the crewcab but was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get it back into spec? Should I put the 3/4 ton springs in? Go back to stock height spring? If so small block or big block spring. They told me that longer adjusting bolts were not an option. I like the lower appearance but need to get this back on the road as I am without a daily driver. I know everyone likes pictures... so here is the album of all my progress and a pic of how it looks now. http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...edrag79/Truck/ Thanks Mike
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1988 Crew Cab SWB project Last edited by N2TRUX; 11-21-2007 at 04:17 PM. Reason: User friendly pic |
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#2 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: Lowering help
I don't want to disagree with what the shop told you, but something isn't right if they can't spec a 1" spring.
BTW-That's not your truck. I found a pic of the real owner... ![]()
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 62
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Re: Lowering help
I don't really get it either... it could have something to do with switching the 1/2 ton control arms onto the 3/4 ton frame... and having more weight in the crewcab then the old single cab long bed.
I am no expert at this stuff but the upper control arm is shimmed all the way out with just a little thread past the nut. I will try and get a picture of it and post it tonight.
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1988 Crew Cab SWB project |
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#4 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Re: Lowering help
You put the 1/2T crossmeber from the 85 C10 under the 3/4T crew cab frame right? They should be able to align it. Are they using the Crew cab specs or the pickup specs?
Any good shop should know how to realign it.
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 62
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Re: Lowering help
I was going to use the 1/2 ton crossmember until I found out that the 1/2 ton frame was about 3/8 inch wider than the 3/4 ton frame. Based on measurements taken before the swap it appeared that the mount for the lower control arms were closer together as well so I didn't think there would be a problem with the alignment since all points moved inwards.
I believe they were using the specs from the 3/4 ton frame when trying to get it aligned but not sure. They said they were unable to give me a printout as the printer was broken.
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1988 Crew Cab SWB project |
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#6 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Re: Lowering help
Frame widths are the same on these trucks. Track widths are the same also.
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#7 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Lowering help
I suggest going somewhere else. A 1" spring should be no problem.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 62
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Re: Lowering help
Here is a picture of the alignment bolts.
I thought all the frames were the same width when i started this ![]() ![]() If these bolts are maxed out what could another shop do? ![]()
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1988 Crew Cab SWB project |
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