Minimun Ride Height - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stroker · 01-06-2003, 10:24 PM

Was wondering how low these trucks can be and still be driveable. It seems that with a conventional type suspention (coils,and dropped spindle) a 4/6 drop is all that the chassis will tolerate without screwing up the front end geometory. Is it possible to add a 1-2 inch body drop without having a lot of problems. I'm wanting to have a stance that will tuck the front tire a little. Was wondering if any of you guys with adjustable suspentions had pics of your min ride height and what special mods if any you needed to prevent tire clearance problems. Thanks.....Stroker

crazy longhorn · 01-06-2003, 11:10 PM

I have a 3/5 drop, with an 1 1/2" of body drop. the front tires are tucked in the fenders just a little. I couldnt say how far you could go with inners fenders(tilt front end), but without I could go a little more. I think 2" on the spring, & 2 1/2" on a spindle is about alll you could go & really keep the geometry good. a little body drop on top of a 4/6 will get it down.....

Hotrod70C10 · 01-06-2003, 11:24 PM

Hey crazy longhorn where did you get your body drop kit and how much was it?

crazy longhorn · 01-06-2003, 11:27 PM

Hotrod,that was all fabricated....didnt cost too much,but lots of welder burns

SCOTI · 01-06-2003, 11:28 PM

My beater is 5/7" drop w/15" steelies & daily driven. Up front 2.5" Western Chassis spindles + 1 full coil cut from factory springs, & out back air bags, 1.5" blocks + adj panhard bar & bolt-in c-section. After 2.5yrs the wood floor directly above the pumpkin is pretty well gone (not that it was in good shape to begin with) & the driveshaft has actually hit the top of the driveshaft hoop hole a couple of times. Oh yea, I pull a 18ft car trailer @ least once a month.

Stroker · 01-07-2003, 07:40 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I was thinking of raising the bed floor and rear wheel tubs a couple of inches just incase I decide to bag it in the future. Crazy longhorn, how much work is actually involved in doing a mild body drop? So do you think a stance like this is possible with a 4.5 / 6.5 drop combined with a 1 to 1 1/2 body drop. Thanks....Stroker

Stroker · 01-07-2003, 07:42 PM

Ops forgot the pic.

Stroker · 01-07-2003, 07:48 PM

Ops forgot the pic.

crazy longhorn · 01-07-2003, 08:17 PM

Stroker, the body drop is a pretty fair amount of work, but IMO the end results were worth the time. My truck is on the conservative side, & I figure total drop to be 4 1/2/ 6 1/2(including body drop). i wouldnt call it slammed, but its pretty low, & also rides & handles good. at the front, i couldnt say what would be the limit as far as what the inner fenders would alow, Im runnin a tilt front without inners. baggin would really be the ticket, but as we know the ride height is dictated by front geometry. my thoughts are that if you plan a mild body drop, it wont be that much more work to go a little more, & that will keep the suspension within spec @ a lower overall ride height. Good luck......crazyL

jays68yak · 01-07-2003, 08:26 PM

I think that truck would look better with a one piece window kit..........

crazy longhorn · 01-07-2003, 08:33 PM

2nd that! a 1 pc window would really put the "icing" on that truck

Ackattack · 01-07-2003, 11:13 PM

What all is involved in a body drop? Does it just require replacing the rubber body mounts with shorter ones? Or is it more envolved? (I'm guessing it is)

Stroker · 01-07-2003, 11:14 PM

CrazyL , I'm willing to ditch the inner fenders if thats what it takes to get the stance. 20-30 lbs off the nose should be good for the old truck. Someday you'll have to give us the full scoop on that tilt front end, that's in my wish list too, I'm just afraid that it's beond my abiliy at this point. I figure with all the cancer to repair on the underside of the cab I might as well go for the body drop while I'm at it. And I'm also in favor of changing the windows on that truck. BTW. Any one know what wheels are on that truck? I'm guessing their 18s. Thanks again....Stroker

chevy2racr · 01-07-2003, 11:46 PM

they look like 20s to me

fastbagged68 · 01-08-2003, 12:23 PM

If you want to go lower without messing with bags you can crossmember drop 1.5" with out messing with your steering to much. Good thing about this is you still have the same amount of distance between the ground and crossmember due to your dropping the whole frame into the crossmember more. I plan on doing a crossmembwer drop on a frame I have in my garage in hopefully about a month.

SCOTI · 01-08-2003, 12:30 PM

Those wheels are 20x8 & 20x9.5's Billet Spec. Legacys.

Reumster · 01-08-2003, 12:45 PM

How much clearance does the pumkin need to not hit the bed floor with a Early Classic bolt in C-Notch?

Slammed67 · 01-08-2003, 03:10 PM

Early Classic doesn't make a c-notch to my knowledge. I think the one being referred to is made by Classic Performance Products, which is the one I'm using. The c-notches come with rubber bump-stops/snubbers. If you keep those in, you shouldn't have any clearance problems. If you take them out like I did, the pumpkin is going to hit the floor.

SCOTI · 01-08-2003, 03:50 PM

My set-up must be similar to slammed67's. I'm using my bed floor as the bump stop.

crazy longhorn · 01-08-2003, 06:23 PM

Custom clearancing that wood!

XXL · 01-08-2003, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reumster
How much clearance does the pumkin need to not hit the bed floor with a Early Classic bolt in C-Notch?

Raising the bed floor 2" will give you full clearance if you leave out the rubber bump stops like Slammed67 mentioned.

Kenneth

PushinPebbles · 01-08-2003, 11:12 PM

No offense yall but if yall go through all the madness of a body drop................why not go for 3.5-4.0 inch body drop while your at it?............................thats what I was planning on when i get bagged but, those switches combined w/ nitrogen could eat up rocker panels that have been dropped......................no what I'm saying or did i bust my head on the hood again?

Jack P.P.

Reumster · 01-09-2003, 04:09 AM

Thanks XXL. If I install the kit I should be able to just raise a square right above the pumkin 2" and be good. But I will put a custom 1/4" bump stop just so I don't ever go metal to metal.

XXL · 01-09-2003, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reumster
Thanks XXL. If I install the kit I should be able to just raise a square right above the pumkin 2" and be good. But I will put a custom 1/4" bump stop just so I don't ever go metal to metal.

Correct. You'll also probably have to take a small bite out of the frame crossmember just forward of the rearend. It's a flat-ish piece with a lip on either side. I had to cut an arc into the rear lip for the driveshaft to clear. I have heard that those with 2 piece driveshafts do not have to do this.

Kenneth

01-06-2003, 10:24 PM	#1
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	Minimun Ride Height Was wondering how low these trucks can be and still be driveable. It seems that with a conventional type suspention (coils,and dropped spindle) a 4/6 drop is all that the chassis will tolerate without screwing up the front end geometory. Is it possible to add a 1-2 inch body drop without having a lot of problems. I'm wanting to have a stance that will tuck the front tire a little. Was wondering if any of you guys with adjustable suspentions had pics of your min ride height and what special mods if any you needed to prevent tire clearance problems. Thanks.....Stroker __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

01-06-2003, 11:10 PM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have a 3/5 drop, with an 1 1/2" of body drop. the front tires are tucked in the fenders just a little. I couldnt say how far you could go with inners fenders(tilt front end), but without I could go a little more. I think 2" on the spring, & 2 1/2" on a spindle is about alll you could go & really keep the geometry good. a little body drop on top of a 4/6 will get it down..... __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-06-2003, 11:24 PM	#3
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	Hey crazy longhorn where did you get your body drop kit and how much was it? __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop

01-06-2003, 11:27 PM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Hotrod,that was all fabricated....didnt cost too much,but lots of welder burns __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-06-2003, 11:28 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	My beater is 5/7" drop w/15" steelies & daily driven. Up front 2.5" Western Chassis spindles + 1 full coil cut from factory springs, & out back air bags, 1.5" blocks + adj panhard bar & bolt-in c-section. After 2.5yrs the wood floor directly above the pumpkin is pretty well gone (not that it was in good shape to begin with) & the driveshaft has actually hit the top of the driveshaft hoop hole a couple of times. Oh yea, I pull a 18ft car trailer @ least once a month. __________________ 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.*

01-07-2003, 07:40 PM	#6
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	Thanks for the input guys. I was thinking of raising the bed floor and rear wheel tubs a couple of inches just incase I decide to bag it in the future. Crazy longhorn, how much work is actually involved in doing a mild body drop? So do you think a stance like this is possible with a 4.5 / 6.5 drop combined with a 1 to 1 1/2 body drop. Thanks....Stroker __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

01-07-2003, 07:42 PM	#7
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	Ops forgot the pic. __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

01-07-2003, 07:48 PM	#8
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	Ops forgot the pic. Attached Images __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

01-07-2003, 08:17 PM	#9
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Stroker, the body drop is a pretty fair amount of work, but IMO the end results were worth the time. My truck is on the conservative side, & I figure total drop to be 4 1/2/ 6 1/2(including body drop). i wouldnt call it slammed, but its pretty low, & also rides & handles good. at the front, i couldnt say what would be the limit as far as what the inner fenders would alow, Im runnin a tilt front without inners. baggin would really be the ticket, but as we know the ride height is dictated by front geometry. my thoughts are that if you plan a mild body drop, it wont be that much more work to go a little more, & that will keep the suspension within spec @ a lower overall ride height. Good luck......crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-07-2003, 08:26 PM	#10
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	I think that truck would look better with a one piece window kit.......... __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

01-07-2003, 08:33 PM	#11
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	2nd that! a 1 pc window would really put the "icing" on that truck __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-07-2003, 11:13 PM	#12
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	What all is involved in a body drop? Does it just require replacing the rubber body mounts with shorter ones? Or is it more envolved? (I'm guessing it is) __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

01-07-2003, 11:14 PM	#13
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	CrazyL , I'm willing to ditch the inner fenders if thats what it takes to get the stance. 20-30 lbs off the nose should be good for the old truck. Someday you'll have to give us the full scoop on that tilt front end, that's in my wish list too, I'm just afraid that it's beond my abiliy at this point. I figure with all the cancer to repair on the underside of the cab I might as well go for the body drop while I'm at it. And I'm also in favor of changing the windows on that truck. BTW. Any one know what wheels are on that truck? I'm guessing their 18s. Thanks again....Stroker __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma Last edited by Stroker; 01-07-2003 at 11:25 PM.

01-07-2003, 11:46 PM	#14
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	they look like 20s to me __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

01-08-2003, 12:23 PM	#15
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	If you want to go lower without messing with bags you can crossmember drop 1.5" with out messing with your steering to much. Good thing about this is you still have the same amount of distance between the ground and crossmember due to your dropping the whole frame into the crossmember more. I plan on doing a crossmembwer drop on a frame I have in my garage in hopefully about a month.



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01-08-2003, 12:30 PM	#16
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Those wheels are 20x8 & 20x9.5's Billet Spec. Legacys. __________________ 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.*

01-08-2003, 12:45 PM	#17
Reumster L.E.D. Freak Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Polson MT Posts: 1,358	How much clearance does the pumkin need to not hit the bed floor with a Early Classic bolt in C-Notch? __________________ Specializing in Custom L.E.D. inserts. http://www.ccled.com/ Contact me @ blazer2wd1972@hotmail.com (406)675-8082 or Joel @ jmcwaters@eps-corp.net 1972 2wd Blazer, 350/700R4/3:73 posi, err & Custom L.E.D. inserts! LOL

01-08-2003, 03:10 PM	#18
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Early Classic doesn't make a c-notch to my knowledge. I think the one being referred to is made by Classic Performance Products, which is the one I'm using. The c-notches come with rubber bump-stops/snubbers. If you keep those in, you shouldn't have any clearance problems. If you take them out like I did, the pumpkin is going to hit the floor. __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

01-08-2003, 03:50 PM	#19
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	My set-up must be similar to slammed67's. I'm using my bed floor as the bump stop. __________________ 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.*

01-08-2003, 06:23 PM	#20
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Custom clearancing that wood! __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-08-2003, 11:12 PM	#22
PushinPebbles My dad's 68 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VA Posts: 444	No offense yall but if yall go through all the madness of a body drop................why not go for 3.5-4.0 inch body drop while your at it?............................thats what I was planning on when i get bagged but, those switches combined w/ nitrogen could eat up rocker panels that have been dropped......................no what I'm saying or did i bust my head on the hood again? Jack P.P. __________________ Jack M. 67 C-10 SWB 355 built T-350 tranny hurst shifter 17x8in KMC's on michelins, clear tails and back up lights slammedUPDATE i have decided on my bag setup and will post further info when i recieve all the parts **************************** 88 1/2 ton suburban 4x4 350/700R-4having a 9 in lift w/ 38 in tires 4 12 inch Lightning Audios *************************** 87 silverado 3/4ton jacked up 10-12 inches black and rubberized bed coating 35 in michelans ************************** Dad's truck 68 C-10 stepside, 468 BB, tubbed, weld wheels, Nason black,lots more **************************** grand dads truck 68 C-10 stepside fuel inj. 350/700R-4soon in audi silver **************************** 84 toyota pickup 22R 5 speed 2WD slammed, shaved and all the body lines filled w/ buickGN scoop,bout to be sprayed in 2003 mustang green metallic w/ silver flames **************************** S/N=BIGGYTYME@aol.com (hydros) "No fat chics, truck will scrape"

01-09-2003, 04:09 AM	#23
Reumster L.E.D. Freak Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Polson MT Posts: 1,358	Thanks XXL. If I install the kit I should be able to just raise a square right above the pumkin 2" and be good. But I will put a custom 1/4" bump stop just so I don't ever go metal to metal. __________________ Specializing in Custom L.E.D. inserts. http://www.ccled.com/ Contact me @ blazer2wd1972@hotmail.com (406)675-8082 or Joel @ jmcwaters@eps-corp.net 1972 2wd Blazer, 350/700R4/3:73 posi, err & Custom L.E.D. inserts! LOL

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