Lowering Blocks 101...... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 06:27 AM

I have been messing with the Suburban's stance lately, trying to get it to sit properly.

I needed a couple of extra inches lower in the back. I decided to use a set of lowering blocks, and since lots of folks have asked me lowering block questions before, I decided to photograph the process.

Here's how I did it for $24.80 and a few hours of work.

First, you need the supplies....

Take one of your stock U-bolts to a spring shop and have them make you a pair that are 2 inches longer. If yours are messed up beyond recognition, tell the spring guy you need a pair of 3/4 thread, 24 inch long U-bolts for a 3 inch axle tube. He'll know what to do.

My shop charged me $21.80 for a pair of them, and made them while I stood there and watched...

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 06:29 AM

Next, you need a piece of 2 inch square tubing at least 14 inches long.

Make sure and get thick wall tubing.

Mine is an old fence post or something. It weighed 10 pounds, and my scrap yard sells for .30 cents a pound, so it cost 3 bucks.

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 06:30 AM

Lay the holes and length out with a Sharpie marker....

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 06:32 AM

Drill the holes next.

Notice, I use plenty of clamps. I don't like sudden suprises when working in the shop.

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 06:33 AM

The finished block....

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 06:34 AM

Then, everything gets a quick trip to my paint booth.

Yes, jealous guys, I have a paint booth. It's a 6 foot tall Davidson with a nice rack made of square tubing.

Also, notice only the highest quality paint products were used too.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 04-16-2006, 11:51 AM

Is that a pinion angle shim under the block?? Very good write up and cheap...

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 12:08 PM

FrenchBlue, that is a shim you're seeing, but not a pinion angle shim.

I'm using an ECE susper track bar on this truck. It mounts between the axle and the trailing arm on the right side, so they give you the shim for the left side to make up for the bracket on the right side.

I hope this is clear, what I'm saying...

By the way, I set the axle pinion angle when I welded the axle saddles to the rearend. That's a 75 model leaf spring axle that I ground clean and converted to coil spring saddles for this truck.

powell72 · 04-17-2006, 12:13 AM

Tx, is there an interference issue with the block and the right side panhard mount? I remember having a problem with that on one of my other trucks. Maybe I made the right block a little too long in the back.

Tx Firefighter · 04-17-2006, 02:02 AM

No interference at all.

04-16-2006, 06:27 AM	#1
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Lowering Blocks 101...... I have been messing with the Suburban's stance lately, trying to get it to sit properly. I needed a couple of extra inches lower in the back. I decided to use a set of lowering blocks, and since lots of folks have asked me lowering block questions before, I decided to photograph the process. Here's how I did it for $24.80 and a few hours of work. First, you need the supplies.... Take one of your stock U-bolts to a spring shop and have them make you a pair that are 2 inches longer. If yours are messed up beyond recognition, tell the spring guy you need a pair of 3/4 thread, 24 inch long U-bolts for a 3 inch axle tube. He'll know what to do. My shop charged me $21.80 for a pair of them, and made them while I stood there and watched... Attached Images Last edited by N2TRUX; 08-03-2013 at 10:53 AM.

04-16-2006, 06:29 AM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... Next, you need a piece of 2 inch square tubing at least 14 inches long. Make sure and get thick wall tubing. Mine is an old fence post or something. It weighed 10 pounds, and my scrap yard sells for .30 cents a pound, so it cost 3 bucks. Attached Images

04-16-2006, 06:30 AM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... Lay the holes and length out with a Sharpie marker.... Attached Images

04-16-2006, 06:32 AM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... Drill the holes next. Notice, I use plenty of clamps. I don't like sudden suprises when working in the shop. Attached Images

04-16-2006, 06:33 AM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... The finished block.... Attached Images

04-16-2006, 06:34 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... Then, everything gets a quick trip to my paint booth. Yes, jealous guys, I have a paint booth. It's a 6 foot tall Davidson with a nice rack made of square tubing. Also, notice only the highest quality paint products were used too. Attached Images

04-16-2006, 11:51 AM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... Is that a pinion angle shim under the block?? Very good write up and cheap... __________________ 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..

04-16-2006, 12:08 PM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... FrenchBlue, that is a shim you're seeing, but not a pinion angle shim. I'm using an ECE susper track bar on this truck. It mounts between the axle and the trailing arm on the right side, so they give you the shim for the left side to make up for the bracket on the right side. I hope this is clear, what I'm saying... By the way, I set the axle pinion angle when I welded the axle saddles to the rearend. That's a 75 model leaf spring axle that I ground clean and converted to coil spring saddles for this truck. Attached Images __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-17-2006, 12:13 AM	#9
powell72 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland Co. Posts: 3,098	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... Tx, is there an interference issue with the block and the right side panhard mount? I remember having a problem with that on one of my other trucks. Maybe I made the right block a little too long in the back. __________________ Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html

04-17-2006, 02:02 AM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lowering Blocks 101...... No interference at all. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin



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