Another lowering question

[nic]

Hey guys I did some searches, but didn't find what I was looking for. I just rebuilt the front end of my truck; upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, tie rod adjusting sleeves, idler arm and poly sway bar bushings, disc brake conversion and new shocks (I forgot springs, I don't know what I was thinking). I put on 2.5" drop spindles. So I have those, and old, saggy stock springs. I think I'm going to get some new stock height springs for up front.

My question concerns the rear suspension. I need to drop about 3" to even it out with the front. I'm not sure which is the best way to do it. I'd like to replace the springs, since I'm in there, but I don't know if I should lower the truck with the springs, or replace the leafs with something like this: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...uck/CP610S.htm and get stock height springs.

Any opinions? Thanks!

Pictures of the truck in it's current state:
http://www.tuxspeed.com/images/1970C10-dropped_front/
(BTW, I've never seen a leaf setup like that. Any hints as to what it is?)

[GREASEMONKEY72]

you dont have leaf springs, its a coil spring suspenion and those are the overload helper springs

[nic]

Thanks Steven. I'm still learning this stuff, so the help is great.

Another question. Would it be best to remove the helpers when I install the new coil springs? It looks like they will get in the way once the rear is lowered.

[smoky02]

If you are referring to the rubber stops no you should not remove them, but rather cut them in half, this way if you hit a bad bump or pothole your truck won't bottom out on the frame...(learned this the hard way)

[nic]

Thanks Smokey!

[71tahoe]

I think if you don't remove the helper leafs they will become full time leafs and you won't get the 3" drop. Of course your load capacity will also drop when you nix 'em.

[Scott68-93-97]

Get rid of the helper leaf buy some 3 inch drop coils, shock relocator kit and an ajustable panhard bar. You can buy this as a kit from early classic enterprises here http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog....gory=New+Items, also on there home page the shock relacator is on sale for 59.00 and the ajustable panhard is also on sale for 59.00, I think the rear coils run about 120.00

[Frizzle Fry]

[Bob Moore]

Nic - I would recommend the dropped springs from ECE or one of the local BB vendors. The auxillary springs should be removed by unbolting the cast "holder" towards the rear of the frame. Also remove the plate with the rubber pad located where the U-bolts hold the axle to the trailing arms.

I believe the stops Smoky is talking about are the "bump stops" which will probably have to be trimmed for a better ride.

ECE will have recommendations about the shock relocators and the panard bar on their website.

Glad to see another member from the Tacoma area - Bob

[Scott68-93-97]

Save those cast mounts for the helpers and sell them to a 4x4 buddy that wants to set up a buggy leaf in there truck