Just bought it - need advice on lowering and wheel sizes

[MACS69C10]

'69 Shortie with a 396, T400.

Lowering: Thinking 2/4. Suspension is all stock now. It has leaf springs in the back, so not sure where to find lower springs for the rear. For the front I am thinking tubular control arms and a heavier spring for the big block. Right now I am not happy with the ride. Great in a straight line...horrible on curves.

Wheels: 17 or 18 inch. Not sure about back spacing. Also not sure of best tire combo. I certainly want something taller than what is on there now...these are 215/70/15, 295/50/15...about 26.5 inches tall. Need to be around 29 I believe. I don't think I need all 4 tires the same...prefer a slightly wider tire in rear....same height or a tad taller.

Need advice! Thanks!

[jocko]

I think that if you WANT to lower it, which you apparently do, that you might be disappointed with 2/4. It won't be enough and the rear will still be airborne.

If I were to start with that truck, I'd go with:
- 2.5" drop spindle and 1" coil spring drop in front - tubular arms a luxury item, may not need em
- lowering blocks in the rear between the leaf and axle to see if you can get it where you want - use spring hanger adjustment to the max also. If you can't get it low enough with blocks and hangers, then maybe convert to CPP trailing arms or something like that (in which case THEN you may want to invest in the tubular fronts also - then again, not certain that you can easily bolt the rears in when converting from a leaf setup - just not sure).

I think you might be more happy with a 3/5 or even a 5/7 drop. The current wheels and tires appear to be low profile and wiiiiide... Not ideal for a dropped truck. Are new wheels and tires planned?? Could go with higher profile (i.e. 70 or 75 series) and a little more narrow. But, all depends what you want.

Bottom line - I'd go with 3/5 or 5/7 - and either way get taller/narrower wheel tire combo - I think anything 3/5 or lower will cause some clearance headaches both front and back if you keep what you've got.

Nice truck - post your wheel / tire size and someone on here can probably give a definitive answer on clearance concerns. I'm just eyeballing it, but they look pretty wide, which in the rear could interfere with the wheelwell lip (are there spacers on the rear??) and on the front could interfere when turning.

[lolife99]

Welcome to the board!
I also own a '69 swb truck.

Is this too low?

[MACS69C10]

Nice...
Maybe not too low...what did you do to get it that way? What size tires are you running?

[71swb4x4]

I am not sure a 2" drop on the front is going to give you much drop. The front end looks a little low the way it is. Are you sure it doesn't have half a coil cut off the stock springs? Or maybe just 43 year old springs with some sag in them?
For the front I would start with spindles. Spindles are great because they don't mess up the geometry at all.

[Mike C]

I have a '69 short step I plan on lowering. My plan is 2 1/2" spindles and 1" springs in the front and an axle flip in the rear. Which is a 3 1/2" front 5" rear approximately. Go to 2" springs in the front and a lowering shackle if you want more. But I don't want to C-notch mine.

[MACS69C10]

Suspension is stock and unaltered. However, it does have original springs and now a big block, so definitely some sagging. I was thinking I should replace the springs with some made for a big block...and 2 inches lower. Do they exist?

Also, the tires that are on there are way too small - 215/70/15, 295/50/15.

Stock tires are about 29 inches tall...the ones on it now are like 26.75 inches.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by MACS69C10

Nice...
Maybe not too low...what did you do to get it that way? What size tires are you running?

The tire size is the funny thing.
They are the same as your front tires.
215/70-15's on 15x7 wheels.
The rear tires are 275/60-15's on 15x8 wheels.

With the height of your truck,... the front tires look really small.
I still have my front inner fenders,... that's why I chose this size tire.
My drop is a 5.5/7.5 drop.

Front:
2.5" drop spindles
3" drop springs
Drop shocks

Rear:
ECE 6" drop springs
1.5" lowering blocks
ECE rear shock relocators
ECE Super Track Bar

The drops on these trucks are decieving.
The factory springs are really tall.

I agree with the others,... you will be disappointed with a 2/4 drop.
Skip the tubular control arms,... unless you just have the money to burn.
Drop it with spindles.

[70cst]

Hey MACS69C10 ...

to the forum and to Ohio.


Nice truck you have.

[lolife99]

Performance Online also sells drop rear leaf springs.
(3", 4", and 5" drop)
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...AF-SPRING-SET/

Your other option for the rear is a flip kit.
DJM sells those for the 67-72 trucks.

The biggest handling "bang for the buck" is to add a front sway bar.

You have a great looking truck,...

[Boog]

Hey Mac. '69 Shortie with a 396, T400. Great combo. Love em.
Buy a nice suspension package with at least a front sway bar or if it already has one add a rear bar. It should corner like it's on rails once you get it down some.
A 235/70/15 front and a 255/70/15 rear are about 29" tall each and work well with 7 and 8" rims.

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by MACS69C10

Suspension is stock and unaltered. However, it does have original springs and now a big block, so definitely some sagging. I was thinking I should replace the springs with some made for a big block...and 2 inches lower. Do they exist?

Yes, they exist. I recommend the ECE kit with the 1-1/2 drop spindle on the front. The spring could be stock height for a better ride. My truck has the BB, and I think the ride is surprisingly good, even with a 1" drop spring. No need for the tubular arms unless you have handling aspirations.

[Fldawg]

good lookin truck, here is mine with 2 1/2 and 4 " drop and 255 /70 /15
your front tires are taller than your back

[dukcaln]

dude nice truck, leave it or 1f not just lower it...looks great

[Stanley0910]

Here is a pic of mine with 2.5/4 drop and 235/70-16 front and 255/65-16 rear. (I should have gone lower)

[68Stepbed]

www.earlyclassic.com <--My advice for one stop shopping. ECE has the best products with the best customer service. You may pay a little more at ECE, but you get what you pay for. Trust me, I know from previous experience. Yes, they have drop leaf spring kits.

If you want better handling, you might even look into a rear trailing arm conversion. That may cost quite a bit more than just a simple lowering kit, though.

[BLOWN72]

When I do my lowering kit over the winter I am going to with a 2/4. I want a better suspension but don't want the really big difference in looks. Both 3/5 and 2/4 look good. How do you like the mastercrafts for ride and performance. I should be getting mine but on this weekend and was wondering what you thought about them. I'm going with 255/70/15's and if any lower than 2/4 I don't think would work too good and after seeing fldawg truck with that tire size and lower stance I like that look

[MACS69C10]

Mastercrafts are fine but can't really tell since I have not had the truck long.