Good way to lower - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigfish_63 · 07-25-2002, 01:17 AM

What would be the best way for me to lower my rear end of my 1969 longbed. I really dont want it to look like a stink bug any more so what would be the best way to lower it about 2" or so just to get the stink bug look from it and i really was thinking on just cutting the coils. So what do you guys think.

bigvinnie · 07-25-2002, 01:32 AM

It'll ride much better if you install 2" dropped coils vs. cutting...

Low69CST · 07-25-2002, 01:39 AM

You said you just want to lower the rear of your truck? Because the springs have pig tails on each end, cutting the springs would take alot more work. I would either buy or make some 2 inch lowering blocks to put between the trailing arm and rear end. To make sure this would work alright, whats your rear tire diameter?

**Desert Rat** · 07-25-2002, 10:55 AM

cutting the rears arent like cutting the front you should get the ends re twisted,but i think id go with blocks,or drop spring or the ultimate el cheapo way el torcho get them hot,real hot.

**1971Stepside** · 07-25-2002, 11:10 AM

I will have some 2" blocks available in the near future if you are interested. I am buying new springs and will not need the blocks. If you are wanting to do something right away I can't help, but let me know.

SWINGSAX68 · 07-25-2002, 01:23 PM

How easy is it to remove and replace the coils???I'm thinking of lowering my rear also.....actually, my parts truck has lower rear coils than my project, so I was thinking of switching them. Could shocks make a difference in the rear ride height?????I have coil shocks on my truck, and regular gas shocks on my parts truck.
Is torching the rear springs a good idea, is that a good way to do it???? I can get a torch....

....I just dont want to burn through the coils.

crazy longhorn · 07-25-2002, 02:22 PM

in a word....NO, heating springs to drop is not a good idea. heating destroys the temper of the spring........Al

mikej71 · 07-25-2002, 03:03 PM

It's really easy to swap the rear springs (provided you can free the nuts on the spring retainer bolts), and you can get a new set of drop coils for around $115 or less.

Just remove the shock, support the trailing arm with a floor jack, and remove the retainer bolts. I did break one of my top retainer bolts, so prepare to have to replace some. I've heard some guys have had to cut them off, but I didn't have that much trouble. If I was going to do it again, I'd have new hardware ready to put on.

SWINGSAX68 · 07-25-2002, 03:20 PM

I don't recall what the setup looks like right now, but where would I be able to buy these bolts and stuff to replace them......which I plan on doing anyways. Do they have them at auto parts stores?????

07-25-2002, 01:17 AM	#1
bigfish_63 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Mexico Posts: 32	Good way to lower What would be the best way for me to lower my rear end of my 1969 longbed. I really dont want it to look like a stink bug any more so what would be the best way to lower it about 2" or so just to get the stink bug look from it and i really was thinking on just cutting the coils. So what do you guys think.

07-25-2002, 01:32 AM	#2
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	It'll ride much better if you install 2" dropped coils vs. cutting... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

07-25-2002, 01:39 AM	#3
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	You said you just want to lower the rear of your truck? Because the springs have pig tails on each end, cutting the springs would take alot more work. I would either buy or make some 2 inch lowering blocks to put between the trailing arm and rear end. To make sure this would work alright, whats your rear tire diameter? __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

07-25-2002, 11:10 AM	#5
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I will have some 2" blocks available in the near future if you are interested. I am buying new springs and will not need the blocks. If you are wanting to do something right away I can't help, but let me know. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

07-25-2002, 01:23 PM	#6
SWINGSAX68 Now the others dig........ Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,520	How easy is it to remove and replace the coils???I'm thinking of lowering my rear also.....actually, my parts truck has lower rear coils than my project, so I was thinking of switching them. Could shocks make a difference in the rear ride height?????I have coil shocks on my truck, and regular gas shocks on my parts truck. Is torching the rear springs a good idea, is that a good way to do it???? I can get a torch........I just dont want to burn through the coils. __________________ 68 Chevy C10 Stepside Black Primer 78 GMC Longbed White 09 Chevy Silverado Shortbed Granite Blue *LOOKING FOR A 67 4 DOOR IMPALA!!!Just like Sam and Dean Winchester!! 'Cause Mustangs are for p^#$ and you can fit a body in the trunk of a 67 Impala* MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Texas State University-San Marcos, TX Certified Music Educator I hope Mom is up there watching and being my Guardian Angel "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription.....IS MORE COW BELL" -The Legendary: Bruce Dickenson "F#$@ 'em up!!!!!!" -The Legendary: Rogelio Escobar TRUCKY LINKS** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457750 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461184 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472848 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=417541 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477788 Last edited by SWINGSAX68; 07-25-2002 at 01:28 PM.

07-25-2002, 10:55 AM	#4
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	cutting the rears arent like cutting the front you should get the ends re twisted,but i think id go with blocks,or drop spring or the ultimate el cheapo way el torcho get them hot,real hot.

07-25-2002, 02:22 PM	#7
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	in a word....NO, heating springs to drop is not a good idea. heating destroys the temper of the spring........Al

07-25-2002, 03:03 PM	#8
mikej71 Unregistered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 538	It's really easy to swap the rear springs (provided you can free the nuts on the spring retainer bolts), and you can get a new set of drop coils for around $115 or less. Just remove the shock, support the trailing arm with a floor jack, and remove the retainer bolts. I did break one of my top retainer bolts, so prepare to have to replace some. I've heard some guys have had to cut them off, but I didn't have that much trouble. If I was going to do it again, I'd have new hardware ready to put on. __________________ 71 SWB Stepside SB400/TH350

07-25-2002, 03:20 PM	#9
SWINGSAX68 Now the others dig........ Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,520	... I don't recall what the setup looks like right now, but where would I be able to buy these bolts and stuff to replace them......which I plan on doing anyways. Do they have them at auto parts stores????? __________________ 68 Chevy C10 Stepside Black Primer 78 GMC Longbed White 09 Chevy Silverado Shortbed Granite Blue *LOOKING FOR A 67 4 DOOR IMPALA!!!Just like Sam and Dean Winchester!! 'Cause Mustangs are for p^#$ and you can fit a body in the trunk of a 67 Impala* MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Texas State University-San Marcos, TX Certified Music Educator I hope Mom is up there watching and being my Guardian Angel "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription.....IS MORE COW BELL" -The Legendary: Bruce Dickenson "F#$@ 'em up!!!!!!" -The Legendary: Rogelio Escobar TRUCKY LINKS** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457750 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461184 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472848 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=417541 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477788



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