Lowering Problems - Need advice

[82gmc_sb]

I just installed 3" drop lowering springs (SUM-G726 ) and djm's 3" drop spindles on my 1982 gmc 1/2 ton shortbed. The problem is, I didn't know it was gonna be sitting on the bump stops and the tire touches the top of the wheel well. Also the tire rubs on the fender. It has 235/75r15's right now. What can I do to actually drive it???

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by 82gmc_sb

I just installed 3" drop lowering springs (SUM-G726 ) and djm's 3" drop spindles on my 1982 gmc 1/2 ton shortbed. The problem is, I didn't know it was gonna be sitting on the bump stops and the tire touches the top of the wheel well. Also the tire rubs on the fender. It has 235/75r15's right now. What can I do to actually drive it???

cut off the bump stops, remove the inners, and you might need a shorter tire

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by cochino12

cut off the bump stops, remove the inners, and you might need a shorter tire

yes, yes and yes. It's all worth it to look cool too

Something I did, you may or may not want to consider it. I switched to a 225/70R15 front tire to help my clearance issues and it's helped a lot on my suburban. It's lowered about 5", 5.5". I cut my bump stops off and have yet to remove the inner fenders but probably will in the spring when I bag it.

[N2TRUX]

If it were me, I would go with a lower profile tire and get rid of the 3" spring. I would cut one coil off of the stock spring and go from there.

[Matt Man]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If it were me, I would go with a lower profile tire and get rid of the 3" spring. I would cut one coil off of the stock spring and go from there.

x2

[bigwheel15]

When you said your tires rub on the fender, are you talking about the lip on the fender?

[mrnize]

Ok I just got done lowering my truck, same situation... SO I boughts some used tires stock(craigslist) , with stock or thin tall tires. Thin, gives it the "tucking" and taller, actually gets it off the ground!!

As the bump stops, I took a file, basically turning it into a hot knife and trimmed my bump stops about a half inch... Wether or not its enough, who knows it rides fine to me.. Good luck..

Get that thing to a tire and wheel shop, pick out some rims and tires then throw them in the bed and make an appointment for an alignment ASAP

[SCOTI]

You can remove the bumpstop but it's just going to be limited by the next obstacle. You can remove the bumpstop & get a shorter tire (yours are 28.75" tall now; 225-70's would be 27.4" tall). You can do the bumpstop, tire swap, & remove the inner fenders & all those will introduce you to the next obstacle.... those a-arm bushings will find the road surface quickly. The more travel you have w/o being limited somehow, the worse the problem of the a-arms hitting the road surface will be.

I actually use a combination of the above to keep mine from hitting the road. The bumpstops keep the tires from constantly buzzing the top of the inner fender wells. If the stops compress enough, the tire contacts the inner well which keeps the a-arms from hitting the road. Even w/these limitations, my lower a-arms are beat to crap from the lovely roads in my area because I drive mine daily.

For the record, my combo is a 74swb, 3" BTech spindle, 1-coil removed from the factory coils, relocated upper shock mounts, & ~27" tall front tires.

[82gmc_sb]

Thanks alot for the help. I'll get to it

[flamingbig10]

mines a daily also, I have 3" coils and spindles on mine with a 215/70 and before I added some stubbie bumps stops the top of tires would hit the inner fenders on every little bump, and also every time I jack up the front end the coils are loose in the control arms

[mrnize]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

mines a daily also, I have 3" coils and spindles on mine with a 215/70 and before I added some stubbie bumps stops the top of tires would hit the inner fenders on every little bump, and also every time I jack up the front end the coils are loose in the control arms

Do you have header collectors that hit the ground lol?
I have about 3 inch's of header collector clearance otherwise with a 5 inch drop in front and 20's its good to cruise.

[flamingbig10]

Originally Posted by mrnize

Do you have header collectors that hit the ground lol?
I have about 3 inch's of header collector clearance otherwise with a 5 inch drop in front and 20's its good to cruise.

I have plenty of clearance

[Can't kech me]

my dads '98 did the same thing and i'm expecting it when i lower my '82

[Yupiamlo]

I have an 85 with DJM 3" Coils and 2" spindles and a flip kit, with removed bump stops, Im running 215/70/15 up front and 225/70/15 out back and I don't have any problems.

As for putting your stock springs back in and cutting them that sounds dumb to me. You just paid for springs and their designed to be lower, your stock ones aren't cool looking, beat, and aren't meant to be cut. Just an IMO though, I just wouldnt wanna waste the money.

-Adam

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by Yupiamlo

I have an 85 with DJM 3" Coils and 2" spindles and a flip kit, with removed bump stops, Im running 215/70/15 up front and 225/70/15 out back and I don't have any problems.

As for putting your stock springs back in and cutting them that sounds dumb to me. You just paid for springs and their designed to be lower, your stock ones aren't cool looking, beat, and aren't meant to be cut. Just an IMO though, I just wouldnt wanna waste the money.

-Adam

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Yupiamlo

I have an 85 with DJM 3" Coils and 2" spindles and a flip kit, with removed bump stops, Im running 215/70/15 up front and 225/70/15 out back and I don't have any problems.

As for putting your stock springs back in and cutting them that sounds dumb to me. You just paid for springs and their designed to be lower, your stock ones aren't cool looking, beat, and aren't meant to be cut. Just an IMO though, I just wouldnt wanna waste the money.

-Adam

Cutting stock springs is free. If it doesn't work for him, he can always put those 'designer' springs back in..... all the cool guys are doing it .

[82gmc_sb]

I removed the inner fenders and the bump stops, but I still need smaller tires. So I go to pull it out and its grinding metal on metal. The spindles are rubbing on the inside of the 15" wheel. Anybody else run into this problem?? I plan on gettin bigger wheels in the future, but for now Im thinkin of grinding down the spindle so the wheel will spin.

[SBTork]

It's almost a common problem with the 3" spindles, grind away, you should be fine.

[JHT67]

Man that stinks. Always something though, isn't it? I can't seem to get ahead on my truck, and I haven't tried to customize anything yet, so I see what I've got to look forward to. Hope you get it the way you want it soon.

[82gmc_sb]

Originally Posted by JHT67

Man that stinks. Always something though, isn't it? I can't seem to get ahead on my truck, and I haven't tried to customize anything yet, so I see what I've got to look forward to. Hope you get it the way you want it soon.

All I planned on doin was the springs and spindles. Next thing I know Im doin brakes, rotors, brake hoses, tie rods..... It never ends

[bigwheel15]

Roll the fender lip instead of cutting.

[Yupiamlo]

Yeah mine hit the inside of my wheels when I dropped it, but it hit on the caliper, so I had to shave like an 1/8" off the top and bottom and now its all good. Does that have something to do with 1" vs 1.25" rotors?, I have the 1.25".

[82gmc_sb]

Cool man, thanks