Father & Son.. Stop, Drop & Roll install

[AustinScott]

So my son and I have finally got the truck back on the ground after a few weeks of converting the front end over to disc & dropping it another 2.5"

Here are some pic of the progress

[elf w/capital T]

heck yeah out em to work! looks like a bunch of fun!

[AustinScott]

[AustinScott]

So the front is a bit to low now. Tires rub on fenders when I turn the wheel all the way to the left. Also the rims hit the lower control arms a bit, we will grind a bit out tomorrow for clearance.
We already cut a single coil out of the front springs a few months back, so maybe we will need to buy new front springs with a 1" drop?

Here is the thread Coil Cut Thread Link

Start - Before any mod to the front. 32.5"




Coil Cut= 30"




Drop Spindles= 27"

[LEX]

Looking good.
Posted via Mobile Device

[N2TRUX]

Looks much better. Can you move those tires to the rear and go with a shorter tire?

[AustinScott]

currently running 275/60/R15 in front and rear...
I did notice the front end has some toe in and positive camber.
Is it possible that the positive camber is causing the tire to rub?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by AustinScott

currently running 275/60/R15 in front and rear...
I did notice the front end has some toe in and positive camber.
Is it possible that the positive camber is causing the tire to rub?

Yes, positive camber can have an impact. I agree w/N2TRUX as well & would opt for a 245 or 255/60.

[Fldawg]

it nice to see a young fella like that learning some good trade, instead of sitting in front of a video game , keep up the good work ....looks good

[RCbowtie69]

Looking good,keep on truckin'

[scrapmetalart]

if it only rubs at full lock it will be fine. you will not be @ full lock @ speed just slow speed.

[AustinScott]

Originally Posted by scrapmetalart

if it only rubs at full lock it will be fine. you will not be @ full lock @ speed just slow speed.

Good note!

I did a "garage" front end alignment with a level and a tape measure. I had to remove pretty much remove all my shims to get rid of my major positive camber. After I did that and got my tie-rods adjust to an equal length & getting the front and back of the front tires to measure out equal. The tires do not rub anymore at full lock.

I had to clearance the lower control arms on both sides about a half inch to keep the rims from rubbing.

I have yet to drive it over 25mph tho... I need to take it for a "real" alignment before I test the waters & the new brakes.

Sure do like the way the front looks now, only thing I don't like is I cant even get my floor jack under the truck to jack it up without removing the pad.

[BuiltwithIvy]

I am going to be in Liberty Hill over the holidays and am pulling my springs out to replace with bags, if you want them, come and grab em..... And if your son wants to chip in some labor it would be greatly appreciated

[AustinScott]

Originally Posted by BuiltwithIvy

I am going to be in Liberty Hill over the holidays and am pulling my springs out to replace with bags, if you want them, come and grab em..... And if your son wants to chip in some labor it would be greatly appreciated

Cool man, thanks.. are they a stock spring, or a drop spring?

[BuiltwithIvy]

they are stock, but if you wanted to check out what a difference cutting half a coil would make, ill be yanking a lot of stuff over over the course of a couple weeks, so except for the engine and tranny that will get pulled for a 5.3l, most stuff would just prefer to get rid of, easier than taking it to the scrap yard if someone is coming to pick it up

[TobyArnot]

Originally Posted by BuiltwithIvy

they are stock, but if you wanted to check out what a difference cutting half a coil would make, ill be yanking a lot of stuff over over the course of a couple weeks

Gotta' chime in here. First, I don't have a son (two daughters that don't give a rat's rear about old trucks), but I think it's great that you're learning these skills at your age. KEEP IT UP!
.
Now, to the springs. I did basically the same stuff on my '70 : (See my avatar). 2-1/2" spindles and one cut coil. Too low to be practical with my front tires. It's my DD. I put the stock springs back in and have been "driving like I stole it" ever since. I would advise against a half-coil spring. You'll never get it to sit right in ths upper and lower spring pocket at the same time. I decide against 1" drop spring, mostly because I was tired of pulling it all back apart again. Probably would look better to me, but I ain't going there again. I do run a much smaller front tire ( 265/60/15).
Good luck and keep up the good work.

[no moa]

Nice to see the young fella helpin out! Although i'd made him pack the bearing by hand! lol Truck looks great

[68Stepbed]

Pic #11 is totally a "Cover me, I'm going in!" look.

Nice progress on the truck and it's good to see your sone doing alot of the work. He will appreciate it much more.

[AustinScott]

thanks guys, My son is a big fan of "fun" work and not so much of "house" work

I'm going to look into getting new drop springs here real quick.
So I'm thinking a 1" spring up front and 5" in the rear.
I'll need the whole adjustable track arm & shock relocation kit, as well as new drop shock on all 4 corners.

I remember a post that someone made about "drop" shock & suggestions on off the shelf replacements that would do the trick.... anyone care to help me locate it?

Still to do is rear 5 lug axle conversion.

how about the trailing arm cross-member, you think my drive shaft will hit after the 5" rear drop? will I need to get a new cross-member?

currently this is what it looks like for clearance.

[jayman68]

Originally Posted by AustinScott

thanks guys, My son is a big fan of "fun" work and not so much of "house" work

I'm going to look into getting new drop springs here real quick.
So I'm thinking a 1" spring up front and 5" in the rear.
I'll need the whole adjustable track arm & shock relocation kit, as well as new drop shock on all 4 corners.

I remember a post that someone made about "drop" shock & suggestions on off the shelf replacements that would do the trick.... anyone care to help me locate it?

Still to do is rear 5 lug axle conversion.

how about the trailing arm cross-member, you think my drive shaft will hit after the 5" rear drop? will I need to get a new cross-member?

currently this is what it looks like for clearance.

I don't know about the post you are talking about, but Rob has a great relocation kit and some info about shocks here;
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477839

He also has some info scattered thru his "make it handle" thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=419251

He suggests in the rear to do 1" or 2" blocks first and then springs to make up the difference.

Good luck, truck looks great!

[AustinScott]

Thanks Jay, I'm reading every post and note I can find.

[Jeffs70]

love it, great job

[68Stepbed]

I have a 5" rear drop and mine clears the crossmember just fine.

[LadyBird]

I'm dropped 6" in the rear with no issues either. Coming from a young college student (21 yrs old) it's awesome to see your son in there helping you. Everybody has to start somewhere.

[michael bustamante]

i BAGGED MY REAR TO THE BUMPSTOPS AND THERES NO CLEARANCE ISSUES AT ALL. i JUST BOUGHT THE SAME DROP SPIDLES....HOW YOU LIKING THEM? ANY ISSUES?