well I lowered it!!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fast71 · 10-04-2004, 06:35 PM

Like the title says ! I did it the wrong way but I like it and I guess thats all that matters. I heated the springs and dropped it 2 1/2 in the front and 3 in the rear . It didnt hurt the ride at all ,I know thats hard to believe but its true. What do ya think?

Joe67 · 10-04-2004, 06:37 PM

Looks good

silvertonguedevil · 10-04-2004, 07:03 PM

Ha ha! I was just thinking about how good that looks. All you did was heat it up? You say the ride is the same? Have you checked your alignment yet?

fast71 · 10-04-2004, 07:12 PM

YES , I had it aligned right after lowering it. In fact the guy at the shop got pissed at me for doing it.

hotrodtroy · 10-04-2004, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast71

YES , I had it aligned right after lowering it. In fact the guy at the shop got pissed at me for doing it.

Maybe he should get his own truck and keep his mouth shut. my$.02

Looks good. Keep on truckin'.

Brainchild · 10-04-2004, 07:50 PM

I think it looks good.

silvertonguedevil · 10-04-2004, 08:16 PM

And he was able to align it with no problems?

Swbman · 10-04-2004, 08:34 PM

Looks Good... :p

70c10 · 10-04-2004, 08:36 PM

Looks great!

fast71 · 10-04-2004, 08:38 PM

No problems at all . Most people heat the sping in one place . we heated it on three different coils and all the way around . when we felt the truck start to move we took the heat away and bounced the truckand then let it sit to see where it was . It took a good 40 mins to lower all 4 corners.We started at 1pm and took it to the aligment shop at 3pm.I was back on the road by 4.

**lolife99** · 10-04-2004, 08:46 PM

good luck with it!

*1972C10* · 10-04-2004, 08:49 PM

I have never heated front springs Make's More sense to me to remove them and cut a coil .

I heated rear springs once the ride sucked bad Maybe i lowered mine too much? It squished all the coils together But sure did look good

**BIG ORANGE** · 10-04-2004, 09:11 PM

Brian I cant belive you did that. I've lowered lots of trucks over the years and I've aways cut one round out of the front and used square tubbin with longer U bolts. This gets you a 2" drop for around 20.00 bucks plus the alingnment! But your truck does look good!

68C15 · 10-04-2004, 09:21 PM

more, more, MORE!!!

dubie · 10-06-2004, 04:27 PM

I always thought that lowering it by heating the springs would alter the tempering of the coils and make them brittle. I am going to take mine out and cut off a coil in the spring to bring the front end down a couple inches

fast71 · 10-06-2004, 05:16 PM

I had done it once before when i was real young and stupid . I heated the springs on one of my Novas and it didnt work that well. I was told to put stands under the bumper and heat the spring till it dropped onto the stands then let them cool . I did this and after about three hours I removed the stands ,The car hit the floor. I had to buy new springs and I said then and there I would NOT do that agian. Well a friend of mine owns this repair shop and i watched him lower his 71 SS Camaro ,That he just got 20 grand out of, with heating the springs . I asked him to do mine and he said Okay and away we went. Now I'm not lying when i say It did not hurt the ride of the truck at all. Infact I think it helped it. This truck was stiff as a brick when it was normal hieght. Now I fell like I'm driving SS nova thatr stays in the grarage. It has a smooth ,curve hugging ride. I might later on go and put drop springs in the rear and spindles up front but right now I'm having fun !!

OH Hotrodtoy the guy is a F==d lover ,Thats his problem

CHEVYE · 10-06-2004, 06:57 PM

i`ve seen that truck a couple of times and it`s one of the cleanest rides i`ve seen, looking good.

fast71 · 10-06-2004, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEVYE

i`ve seen that truck a couple of times and it`s one of the cleanest rides i`ve seen, looking good.

Thank You Eric!!! By the way its been awhile since you have seen it last. Looks 100% better in side now.

**N2TRUX** · 10-06-2004, 08:56 PM

Just wait. Give it a while for the springs to settle. You may be happy with it now, but once the springs collapse your tune will change....

FRENCHBLUE72 · 10-06-2004, 11:02 PM

Look's good .....That is a hella clean truck too BTW..

pissonNOS · 10-07-2004, 12:12 AM

when i cut my coils i cut 2 full coils out we were of the mindset no guts no glory haha and also had a spare set of coils in the shop but anyways i think i cut too much because when u lift the truck the spring are loose and u can literally move them arouind by hand but hell i got it aligned and it rides awesome, if i was looking for ride quality i woulda bought a cadillac or something

*1972C10* · 10-07-2004, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pissonNOS

when i cut my coils i cut 2 full coils out we were of the mindset no guts no glory haha and also had a spare set of coils in the shop but anyways i think i cut too much because when u lift the truck the spring are loose and u can literally move them arouind by hand but hell i got it aligned and it rides awesome, if i was looking for ride quality i woulda bought a cadillac or something

Same thing here 1 1/2 off the coils and the flop out of the top alingment dowel when the truck is jacked up by the center.

sneakysnake · 10-07-2004, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972C10

Same thing here 1 1/2 off the coils and the flop out of the top alingment dowel when the truck is jacked up by the center.

You can use "U" bolts to hold the coil to the lower A arm and when you jack it up the coil wont fall out.

bluec10 · 10-07-2004, 12:33 AM

I really like the stance you've come up with. It must have been really hard to keep the sides even as you were heating the springs.

fast71 · 10-07-2004, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluec10

I really like the stance you've come up with. It must have been really hard to keep the sides even as you were heating the springs.

Yes it was . I know most people think you hold heat to it till you like it ,Thats the wrong way. We put the heat to it and felt it start to lower ,removed the heat and bounced the truck to see how the spring would settle. We measured and if it wasnt enough we gave it the heat again till it started to move and did it all over agian until we got what we wanted.
N2TRUX,
If it settles anymore its no big deal . I did it to see if I liked the look . Now I can start to save some cash to do it the right way.

10-04-2004, 06:35 PM	#1
fast71 Drive it like U stole it Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: tunnel hill ,GA /Chatt,TN Posts: 956	well I lowered it!!!! Like the title says ! I did it the wrong way but I like it and I guess thats all that matters. I heated the springs and dropped it 2 1/2 in the front and 3 in the rear . It didnt hurt the ride at all ,I know thats hard to believe but its true. What do ya think? __________________ 71 custom 10 swb 72 nova ss 72 nova custom 87 s10 96 burb 94 camry 53 5 window 3100

10-04-2004, 06:37 PM	#2
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Looks good __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-04-2004, 07:03 PM	#3
silvertonguedevil Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Seaside, Oregon Posts: 1,789	Ha ha! I was just thinking about how good that looks. All you did was heat it up? You say the ride is the same? Have you checked your alignment yet? __________________ -Greg My Chevy trucks, past and present: 1962 C10 SB Fleetside 1964 C10 LB Fleetside BBW 1966 C10 SB Fleetside 1966 C10 SB Fleetside BBW 1968 C10 SB Fleetside 1971 C10 LB Fleetside 1971 C10 SB Fleetside 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1972 C10 LB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1974 C20 Cheyenne 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Custom Deluxe 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Scottsdale 1986 C10 SB Fleetside Silverado 2008 Silverado 1500 4x4

10-04-2004, 07:12 PM	#4
fast71 Drive it like U stole it Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: tunnel hill ,GA /Chatt,TN Posts: 956	YES , I had it aligned right after lowering it. In fact the guy at the shop got pissed at me for doing it. __________________ 71 custom 10 swb 72 nova ss 72 nova custom 87 s10 96 burb 94 camry 53 5 window 3100

10-04-2004, 07:50 PM	#6
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	I think it looks good. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

10-04-2004, 08:16 PM	#7
silvertonguedevil Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Seaside, Oregon Posts: 1,789	And he was able to align it with no problems? __________________ -Greg My Chevy trucks, past and present: 1962 C10 SB Fleetside 1964 C10 LB Fleetside BBW 1966 C10 SB Fleetside 1966 C10 SB Fleetside BBW 1968 C10 SB Fleetside 1971 C10 LB Fleetside 1971 C10 SB Fleetside 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1972 C10 LB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1974 C20 Cheyenne 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Custom Deluxe 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Scottsdale 1986 C10 SB Fleetside Silverado 2008 Silverado 1500 4x4

10-04-2004, 08:34 PM	#8
Swbman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tulsa,Oklahoma Posts: 606	Looks Good... :p __________________ 1961 BUICK LESABRE 1968 CHEVELLE SS 396 1969 BUICK RIVIERA GS 1971 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLAZER 1971 4X4 BLAZER 1971 SHORTBED CHEYENNE FLEETSIDE 1971 SHORTBED 4X4 FLEETSIDE ** ...My Ebay

10-04-2004, 08:36 PM	#9
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Looks great! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

10-04-2004, 08:38 PM	#10
fast71 Drive it like U stole it Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: tunnel hill ,GA /Chatt,TN Posts: 956	No problems at all . Most people heat the sping in one place . we heated it on three different coils and all the way around . when we felt the truck start to move we took the heat away and bounced the truckand then let it sit to see where it was . It took a good 40 mins to lower all 4 corners.We started at 1pm and took it to the aligment shop at 3pm.I was back on the road by 4. __________________ 71 custom 10 swb 72 nova ss 72 nova custom 87 s10 96 burb 94 camry 53 5 window 3100

10-04-2004, 08:46 PM	#11
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	good luck with it! __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

10-04-2004, 08:49 PM	#12
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	I have never heated front springs Make's More sense to me to remove them and cut a coil . I heated rear springs once the ride sucked bad Maybe i lowered mine too much? It squished all the coils together But sure did look good Last edited by 1972C10; 07-02-2007 at 01:15 AM.

10-04-2004, 09:11 PM	#13
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,764	Brian I cant belive you did that. I've lowered lots of trucks over the years and I've aways cut one round out of the front and used square tubbin with longer U bolts. This gets you a 2" drop for around 20.00 bucks plus the alingnment! But your truck does look good! __________________ Things happen for a reason!

10-04-2004, 09:21 PM	#14
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	more, more, MORE!!! __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

10-06-2004, 04:27 PM	#15
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	I always thought that lowering it by heating the springs would alter the tempering of the coils and make them brittle. I am going to take mine out and cut off a coil in the spring to bring the front end down a couple inches __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

10-06-2004, 05:16 PM	#16
fast71 Drive it like U stole it Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: tunnel hill ,GA /Chatt,TN Posts: 956	I had done it once before when i was real young and stupid . I heated the springs on one of my Novas and it didnt work that well. I was told to put stands under the bumper and heat the spring till it dropped onto the stands then let them cool . I did this and after about three hours I removed the stands ,The car hit the floor. I had to buy new springs and I said then and there I would NOT do that agian. Well a friend of mine owns this repair shop and i watched him lower his 71 SS Camaro ,That he just got 20 grand out of, with heating the springs . I asked him to do mine and he said Okay and away we went. Now I'm not lying when i say It did not hurt the ride of the truck at all. Infact I think it helped it. This truck was stiff as a brick when it was normal hieght. Now I fell like I'm driving SS nova thatr stays in the grarage. It has a smooth ,curve hugging ride. I might later on go and put drop springs in the rear and spindles up front but right now I'm having fun !! OH Hotrodtoy the guy is a F==d lover ,Thats his problem __________________ 71 custom 10 swb 72 nova ss 72 nova custom 87 s10 96 burb 94 camry 53 5 window 3100



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10-06-2004, 06:57 PM	#17
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	i`ve seen that truck a couple of times and it`s one of the cleanest rides i`ve seen, looking good. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

10-06-2004, 08:56 PM	#19
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Just wait. Give it a while for the springs to settle. You may be happy with it now, but once the springs collapse your tune will change....

10-06-2004, 11:02 PM	#20
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Look's good .....That is a hella clean truck too BTW.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-07-2004, 12:12 AM	#21
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	when i cut my coils i cut 2 full coils out we were of the mindset no guts no glory haha and also had a spare set of coils in the shop but anyways i think i cut too much because when u lift the truck the spring are loose and u can literally move them arouind by hand but hell i got it aligned and it rides awesome, if i was looking for ride quality i woulda bought a cadillac or something __________________ 69 GMC bagged

10-07-2004, 12:33 AM	#24
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	I really like the stance you've come up with. It must have been really hard to keep the sides even as you were heating the springs. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

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