Low Cost Lowering? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jebb1978 · 09-12-2005, 12:27 AM

Hi Everybody!
I am pretty new here, I have enjoyed fishing through all the knowledge that is on this site. I am considering dropping my 1978 Short Bed Fleet and just wanted to know what sort of options exist. I have limited funds but in the past when I have ever gone the cheap route on anything I paid in the end. I have a lot of money dumped into my truck already and everything is done right. I have done a bit of research into different kits but I am not sure if the ride is any good or if I will need to replace more than the kit includes. My suspension is top notch as is. My truck is a Northern California truck with 66K on it. The bushings are great and it doesn't drift of even make any noises. I will leave it stock before creating any issues. I do so love the look of a dropped p/u though. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Fellas!
Shawn

Jebb1978 · 09-12-2005, 12:34 AM

If you guys have any pics of your dropped 73-81s they may just push me over the edge and make it a must do! I'd love to check them out!

**N2TRUX** · 09-12-2005, 04:44 PM

How low do you want to go? If your funds are low, start with a shackle and cut a coil off your stock spring. If done properly this will not hurt your spring and will give you a slight drop on the cheap. If you want more drop and have a few more bucks to play with don't cut the spring, use a drop spindle.

Tell us your plans and we can offer better advice....

Jebb1978 · 09-12-2005, 09:50 PM

I am hoping to start small, Maybe 2-3 inches or so. My truck has a towing package and the rear is much higher than the rest of the truck. I would love 3 inches or so in the front and whatever it takes to level it out with the rear. I have considered cutting out a loop of the spring. I hate to destroy the springs incase I don't like the way it handles. Have you done this before? Did it handle the same? How much would it drop from cutting a loop out and would I need to buy a kit to change the rear hieght to match?

SCOTI · 09-12-2005, 10:30 PM

If you like the way it rides @ the trucks current height & want to level it out, I'd prob go w/some 2.5" Western Chassis dropped spindles (a bolt in swap w/no other changes necessary) & a flip kit out back.

This would drop the front that 2 ~ 3" you want w/o changing the ride quality. The flip kit will drop the rear about 5" & not change the ride quality.

That 5" drop sounds radical but it equals the front drop plus eliminates the rake.

Jebb1978 · 09-13-2005, 03:30 AM

That sounds about right for the back! Thanks for the advise I will look into them.

SCOTI · 09-13-2005, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebb1978

That sounds about right for the back! Thanks for the advise I will look into them.

Take some before & after pics & have fun!

Jebb1978 · 09-13-2005, 07:27 PM

I took some new pics today actually to put in POST MY RIDE and will do it when my personal IT Dept (wife) can show me how. I am a little on the slow side.

Thanks for your interest, please visit Ol Jebb in my later post and let me know what you think.

Happy Day All

09-12-2005, 12:27 AM	#1
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Low Cost Lowering? Hi Everybody! I am pretty new here, I have enjoyed fishing through all the knowledge that is on this site. I am considering dropping my 1978 Short Bed Fleet and just wanted to know what sort of options exist. I have limited funds but in the past when I have ever gone the cheap route on anything I paid in the end. I have a lot of money dumped into my truck already and everything is done right. I have done a bit of research into different kits but I am not sure if the ride is any good or if I will need to replace more than the kit includes. My suspension is top notch as is. My truck is a Northern California truck with 66K on it. The bushings are great and it doesn't drift of even make any noises. I will leave it stock before creating any issues. I do so love the look of a dropped p/u though. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Fellas! Shawn

09-12-2005, 04:44 PM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	How low do you want to go? If your funds are low, start with a shackle and cut a coil off your stock spring. If done properly this will not hurt your spring and will give you a slight drop on the cheap. If you want more drop and have a few more bucks to play with don't cut the spring, use a drop spindle. Tell us your plans and we can offer better advice.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

09-12-2005, 10:30 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	If you like the way it rides @ the trucks current height & want to level it out, I'd prob go w/some 2.5" Western Chassis dropped spindles (a bolt in swap w/no other changes necessary) & a flip kit out back. This would drop the front that 2 ~ 3" you want w/o changing the ride quality. The flip kit will drop the rear about 5" & not change the ride quality. That 5" drop sounds radical but it equals the front drop plus eliminates the rake. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-12-2005, 12:34 AM	#2
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	If you guys have any pics of your dropped 73-81s they may just push me over the edge and make it a must do! I'd love to check them out!

09-12-2005, 09:50 PM	#4
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	I am hoping to start small, Maybe 2-3 inches or so. My truck has a towing package and the rear is much higher than the rest of the truck. I would love 3 inches or so in the front and whatever it takes to level it out with the rear. I have considered cutting out a loop of the spring. I hate to destroy the springs incase I don't like the way it handles. Have you done this before? Did it handle the same? How much would it drop from cutting a loop out and would I need to buy a kit to change the rear hieght to match?

09-13-2005, 03:30 AM	#6
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	That sounds about right for the back! Thanks for the advise I will look into them.

09-13-2005, 07:27 PM	#8
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	I took some new pics today actually to put in POST MY RIDE and will do it when my personal IT Dept (wife) can show me how. I am a little on the slow side. Thanks for your interest, please visit Ol Jebb in my later post and let me know what you think. Happy Day All



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