how low to go?

[mbzaungst]

2.5 and 4 seem to be the first choice but, is that low enough? If I go lower I need to chance front springs, then it rides like hell? Who makes the best "KIT"? SO far I like Western Chassis, Is there better?

[Dwyert4]

I just installed the western chassis disc conversion with 2 1/2" drop spindles and 1" drop spring. I love it.im on 22x9's and it has a great ride. Also 4" drop springs and shocks in the rear.

[Mike C]

Mine is 4 1/2" and 7". It is not too low for me and looks great IMO. But 3 1/2" front 5" rear would be a sweet setup that didn't have any issues. And I think at that height you would feel good and not have the immediate wish you had gone lower. Which I think you will have at 2"/4".

[LEEVON]

I have ran 4.5/6 on numerous trucks and they have ridden better than factory (when done correctly).

[Dwyert4]

At some point I may c notch the frame and go with 5" springs.

[Mike C]

You shouldn't need it with 5" springs.

[Dwyert4]

Even easier then. I was always under the impression that 5 or more needed to be notched. That's cool,save some money.

[jessemthompson]

I’m running a 4.5/6 drop. 2 1/2 drop spindles and 2” drop springs in the front, 4” drop springs and 2” blocks out back. With the blocks, you have more travel with your shocks. I have no c notch and it rides great.

[RodnRudy]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I have ran 4.5/6 on numerous trucks and they have ridden better than factory (when done correctly).

I just finished up going from a 5 1/2, 7" drop to a 4 1/2, 6" and like Leevon says it definitely rides much better. As to whether I like the look, not near as much as the lower version. First pic 5 1/2, 7 and second 4 1/2 6. Still need to throw the hood on maybe that'll bring the front down a little more.

[mbzaungst]

Rod, what kit did you go with ? I like the 4/6 route, roads in Michigan are terrible. I'd love to hear what brand, components, tires brand and sizes. Looks great both ways tho. nice truck

[RodnRudy]

Originally Posted by mbzaungst

Rod, what kit did you go with ? I like the 4/6 route, roads in Michigan are terrible. I'd love to hear what brand, components, tires brand and sizes. Looks great both ways tho. nice truck

I used CPP's grand slam kit: 2 1/2" drop spindles 3" drop springs in front, since changed to 2" drop springs, 5" drop springs and 2" lowering blocks in the rear since changed to 1" lowering block. Rear wheels are 15x 8" rallies with 275 60 15 Cooper Cobras. Front wheels are 15x 6 1/2" rallies with 225 70 15 Cobras. The ride quality is better up front because the tie rods are more parallel which helps with bump steer.

[mbzaungst]

Rod, That's perfect thank you, and everyone else that has replied. Very helpful

[original-71]

Originally Posted by mbzaungst

2.5 and 4 seem to be the first choice but, is that low enough? If I go lower I need to chance front springs, then it rides like hell? Who makes the best "KIT"? SO far I like Western Chassis, Is there better?

www.earlyclassic.com

[CC69Rat]

5/7

Keep in mind, your truck with stock springs sits about 1 - 1.5" lower now than it did when it was new. Springs will sag over time. When you buy drop springs, it's measured against the STOCK height, not where your truck is now. For example a 4" front drop is only going to put you about 2.5-3 inches lower than you are now.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Early Classic Enterprise (ECE) 4/6 drop. Coil spring truck all the way around. No C notch. Trimmed the rear bump stops and it's never hit. I don't haul heavy loads with it anymore. Maybe had up to +/-500 lbs in the bed.

Front is 2.5" spindle/1.5" spring. If you have 15" wheels I'd recommend the 2" spindle with the 2" spring instead... I had to trim my A-Arms a bit for the 15's to still fit. Anything larger isn't a worry.

Lowest point of the front bumper is +/-7" off the ground so no worries about hitting curbs and curb stops.

[Robznob11]

4/6 for static, if you want it lower than that bag it so you can raise it when you need to. I was static at first but clearance issues stuck. Especially when you want to put it on a trailer for car shows....😁

[stsalvage]

One thing i see now days is lowered trucks are not that fun to drive.There are a few reasons.

1 are roads suck

2 most of you are on the phone or talking to your friends to see that really bad POT hole's or really bad deep dips.

3 driving on the freeway is not joy when your doing 70 and the car or truck in front of you roll over a recap tire your nice front painted or chrome gill will hate you.Or the pet sofa or ladder that you can't steer fast enough from hitting it.

4 The one i like is the tumble weed.Bigger then your truck you will be picking that stuff out of your radiator for months LOL Ya lower trucks are fun to drive

I like my stock height trucks they can go any where

[mbzaungst]

Great information guys thanks, I plan on running 15'' wheels so I need to trim my A arm how much? Now I want to go 4/6 since you guys talked me into it. I looked at ECE and Western, both have kits. I feel like a kit is best way to get pan hard, shocks, shock relocate brackets, spindles, springs. Wait I need to buy disc conversion too? You guys are killing me $$$ Well can't take it with me and kids don't need it, lets spend it. Just need to know best way. Thanks guys for the rookie help. Trying to build a recreation of my dads old truck only lower.

[67ChevyRedneck]

You're definitely going to want to do the disc swap at the same time. It will be more money up front, but A LOT less headaches trying to piece a kit together later. Buy one kit that's meant to all work together.

The cut will depend on your wheels and backspacing. If you go with the 2" spindle and the right BS, you might not have any issue at all. I had to cut a bit out of mine with the 2.5" spindle. The pic is with an 8" wheel. I ended up putting 7" on front (which are on in the pic above) and there was A LOT more clearance.

[mbzaungst]

Ok that makes sense, my plan was for 7 in front and 8 or 10 in rear. What tire did you end up using?

[Robznob11]

I'd run a 7" front with 3.5 bs. The more back space the more grinding. The disc conversion will push your wheel towards the fender. At a 4" drop you probably would never have issues. But if you get greedy and go lower in the future you will have fender clearance issues with a 8" wide. To get a good night tire for a 8" rim you are looking at a 255/60/15 and they balloon out and are wide. On a 7" you can run a narrower 70 series. I'm telling you this from experience...I have 15x8 with 255/60 on front. I had to get PB narrow arms to clear my fenders.

[67ChevyRedneck]

15x8 rear, 15x7 front. 235/70/15 rear, 215/75/15 fronts. I'm 100% on those. I *think* the front have 3.5-4" BS and the rear are 4 or 4.5". I bought the wheels a loooooooooooooooong time ago, so kinda fuzzy on that.

[mbzaungst]

Can I go wider on the rear?, planning on a Hoosier tire. Honestly this forum is great, I really do appreciate the help. Saves me a ton of time and money. I think I am set on the fronts then, just ordered sheet metal last night to get that done. I will start posting pictures when it comes together.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Depends... I think they're tight on a stepside, but lots of guys run 10's on fleetsides. All depends on backspacing.

[mbzaungst]

Fleet side, So I can go 15x6 with 3.5 BS and still get a 225/75/15 on it, and I think I will stay with an 8 inch rear with 28x10.0-15