Static Drop--Ride Height

[54belair]

First of all, Im planning a 2 1/2 / 4" drop on my project truck.

Today I was fabbing the brackets for the rear mount fuel tank and I had a scary thought--- "will the weight of the fuel and tank (aprox 150#) mounted behind the axle cause the truck to drop further than the 4" Im looking for"?
Supposedly with the drop Im planning the truck should sit nearly level--but now Im wondering if I should go with a 3" spring due to the extra weight?

The thought is scary because I have already bought the new rear springs!!

Anyone have any experience or thoughts with this?

[black_sheep454]

Just find someone who weighs around 150 pounds and have them sit on the tailgate, if it squats too much then you'll know.
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[jrdv]

It is going to depend on how much tension your springs have. I would think new springs should be fine, especially with only having a 4 inch drop.

I have a 4/6 drop on my truck. I haven't put in the c notch yet, but I haven't had the axles hit the frame yet. I hauled 4 mounted tires in the back with no problem.

I would think you should be fine, but you won't know till its all put together.

John

[kevmac]

belair, post a pick when your done please. I have the springs to do the same 2.5/4 drop with rear tank and want to see the look. Thanx kevmac

[54belair]

Will do kevmac-----but it will be several months before I get her back together!! Right now she is occupying two bays of my shop and a storage trailer!!

[BigCountryx]

If it squats, just trim your front springs till you get the look you want
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[PanelDeland]

I wouldn't sweat it too much.It's not going to be a "real" 4 in drop.The original springs have probably sagged a bit.I think I got about 2 3/4 out of my 4 in drop springs.Just something to keep in mind.2 1/2-4 drop pretty much leveled my panel. It had a pretty good rake before but that may be because the passenger front spring came out in 3 pieces.

[54belair]

Normally I want the full 4"----but Im thinking if the fuel and tank (and later a tonneou cover is going to add weight which could cause additional drop--then the 2 3/4" is a good thing!!

[brad_man_72]

If you have a coil rear its way easy to raise it. Longer bolts and a piece of plate the desired thickness with a hole in it for the spring to rest on. You could even make practice plates from plywood to figure out how thick you want them to be.
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[PanelDeland]

Originally Posted by 54belair

Normally I want the full 4"----but Im thinking if the fuel and tank (and later a tonneou cover is going to add weight which could cause additional drop--then the 2 3/4" is a good thing!!

I dont want you to think 2 3/4 from 4 in springs.I'm just saying that some sag in the originals is common and you may not get 4 in.I wouldn't think 2 3/4 was the standard from it.Sag is going to depend on what your truck was used for and how often it carried how much weiight.My point is that your stock ride height probably isn't where it is now and the 4 in springs are designed on the original height.

[54belair]

OK--gotcha ! Where mines at now is totally unknown---the p o heated the rear springs and claimed he had a 4" drop (sorta). Im redoing both front and rear--drop spindles in front and stock springs and 4" (?)drop springs in the rear.
Im not sure how much sag would be caused on new springs with the additional 125-150# on the rear. Id rather have a slight rake than a squatter! I could still trade out the 4's for some 3's since they are still in the box.