SPRINGS/SHOCKS and EARLY CLASSICS

[wwotr]

Well my 72 GMC rides like a ROCK!.
Obviously the previous owner cut the Front/Rear springs.
I sent an e-mail to Early Classics, asking them about their Lowering Spring/Shock Kits, along with some pictures of my GMC.
The Tech stated that it looked like my Front end was riding on the
"Bump Stops...if there were any left".
I'm assuming that a Bump Stop is whats on the Chassis to prevent any further Travel of the Suspension?
I told him I wanted to keep the Front the same heigth and lower the rear about 1"-2".
He said their "2"-4" Kit would accomplish that by bringing up the Front about an inch and lowering the Rear about 2".
He said the ride quality would be DRASTICLY IMPROVED.
So I'm thinking of making that a priority, as I'm tending not to drive my Truuck because the ride is SO rough! I live in a Mountanious comunity that the roads are "patched".
The ride is so rough in my Truck, that I can feel the bumps on the opposite side of the road!



If anyone has had a similar problem and went this route to fix it, I'd really be interested in your story and how your ride was Before/After.
Roger

[leddzepp]

I got 2.5" dropped spindles in the front with stock springs, along with 2" lowering blocks in the rear. It rides like a Cadillac....well a 1972 Cadillac anyways! Spindles are the way to go when dropping your ride up front.

[ap2002]

got pics of your truck? you must have atleast a 4-5" drop on the front right now to be hitting the bumpstops..

[72BlckButy]

I have to agree with ap2002... by the pic in your avy, it "looks" like you are riding much lower than what a 2/4 would do. Check out ECE's website for their "stance photos," this will be able to help you determine the best kit for you to purchase.

Just my $.02...

[69GMCLonghorn]

I think you'd agree that your truck is unsafe the way it is now, besides the fact that you'll need several organ transplants if you keep it the way it is. The spindles are the way to go, as previously stated. But if you don't go that far, just get GOOD springs and shocks (I like KYB's, but there are 100 others that are good too). Making it ride SAFELY is just as important as anything. Good luck!

[wwotr]

Forgot the picture of what my GMC loks like now..............

Roger

[wwotr]

69GMCLonghorn,
Yes I would consider it unsafe.
I had my Mechanic do a Saftey Check and fix the things that needed to be fixed (within my budget), to make it "Roadworthy".
I was going to get 4 new tires but the Tread is good, (one of the sidewalls on the Front Tire has what I'd call a "ripple" in it.
It started out that I was going to have the exhaust finnished.
Then I thought a set of Chrome Trim Rings and Center Caps would be nice.
Then priorities shifted to a set of new tires and NOW its the Springs.
Like I said in my prior post, I'd drive the Truck much more if it wernt for the ride.
As it is now, I travel a 2 lane Narrow Road thrrough a Canyon to get to Town (15 Miles).
I can't push it over 35 MPH because of the road condition and the ride.It bounces so much that I feel I don't have Full Control over it , let alone in a Panic Situation.
I usually pull over at least 3 times in that 15 miles to let traffic pass me.
Sucks big time!

Roger

[ap2002]

just by jugding on the pic that is atleast a 5"drop! ibet you are riding on the bumpstops and everytime you hit a bump the can feel the truck just jump up alittle and hit hard the bumpstops? mine was like that also..... do you have a small block or big block?

[69GMCLonghorn]

Dang, that's low! You definitely need to get it raised a couple inches. I think you'll be much happier with it, especially if it's done right. You might pull that canyon road faster than the lowered Honda's if you do it up right! HAHA

[wwotr]

AP2002,
I have a 350 Vortec Aluminum Block from a 94 1500 in it.
I just received an e-mail from Tech support regarding the Shocks that come in their "Spring/Shock Kit"...................
.

"The shocks are nitrogen gas charged KYB GR-2's. They rears are considerably shorter than stock shocks. The fronts are very close to factory length.
Thanks"

So I think I'm gonna go with the Spring/Shock kit as opposed to JUST the Lowering Springs.

Anyone ever used theses "KYB GR-2's"?

Roger

[wwotr]

Another question for those who are rersponding/Interested.
Can you post some photos of your 67-72 Trucks (if they've been lowered) and let us know HOW MUCH they've been Lowered and whether it was Spring or Drop Spindles or BOTH.

Roger

[wwotr]

Sorry for so many posts but for some reason I'm missing the "Edit" button to go and "add" to my original posts.

So my newest question is:
If I use a Spring/Shock Lowering Kit now, and (in the future) I want to lower it even MORE, can I put in Drop Spindles?

Roger

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by wwotr

Sorry for so many posts but for some reason I'm missing the "Edit" button to go and "add" to my original posts.

So my newest question is:
If I use a Spring/Shock Lowering Kit now, and (in the future) I want to lower it even MORE, can I put in Drop Spindles?

Roger

Yes, you can add the drop spindles at any later time to get an additional 2.5 inches of drop.

[wwotr]

Does anyone know if Forum Members get a Discount at "Classic Performance" and how one would go about it?

Roger

[lolife99]

wwotr,... take a break from your thread and search around in the suspension section.
I know you want a good ride and a low ride. These two things will require a little work and a little money. You need drop spindles, drop shocks, and adjustable panhard bar, rear shock relocators, maybe a rear c-notch,... and of course,...drop coil springs front and rear.
My '69 swb,... is lowered with what I would call the "maximum" static drop.
3" drop springs, 2.5" drop spindles up front,... and 6" rear springs and a 1.5" lowering block. (2" lowering block is also possible) I have a c-notch bolted in the rear frame section.
I suggest ECE as a source of good suspension parts or any of the board vendors. I'm not a fan of CPP,... but that's my opinion based on a bad experience with them. Look at the "stance photos" on ECE's website for the amount of drop you want.
Do alot of reading to avoid buying parts you don't really want. And for the best ride,... don't be afraid to spend a little cash. Right now, you are riding on a "cheap suspesion drop". They ride like crap when they are as low as yours,... done incorrectly.
Here's a pic of my '69 to get an idea of how low it is.
Good luck.

[*Dylan]

A 2"/4" drop will not get you anywhere near that low. I did a static drop just using springs all the way around and I'm running a 3"/4" drop. All I had to do was buy the coils for the front and rear and that's all that is needed.

[wwotr]

Guys.
Thank you for all your detailed info.
As far as "doing things right", this is what I need RIGHT NOW.
I love my Truck, but CRINGE evey time I have to drive it.
I understand the previous owner did a chop job on the springs.
The way I look at it (and what my pocket book says), is I need an immediate/affordable solution.
To me, that is a 2"-4" Front/Rear Springs and shocks.
This will a least allow me to get out from under the hideous ride happening currently. Then as finances will allow, I can add Drop Spindles ect.
I just don't want to do any more damage to my Vital Organs or the Trucks Suspension.
Within the next 8 months there will be a "Settlement" and THAT'S when I can play "Catch-Up"!

Roger

[*Dylan]

With a 2"/4" drop you don't need drop shocks. If you're on a tight budget just keep your current ones, it's what I did and it rides okay for me. They won't last as long but it'll give you time to save some pennies for some drop shocks and not have to splurge all the money at once.

[wwotr]

Actually right now I'm talking with Jeff at Classic Performance on a 3"-4" Spring kit.

My question is, can I STILL keep my Standard Shocks until I get some more scratch?

Roger

[*Dylan]

Originally Posted by *Dylan

With a 2"/4" drop you don't need drop shocks. If you're on a tight budget just keep your current ones, it's what I did and it rides okay for me. They won't last as long but it'll give you time to save some pennies for some drop shocks and not have to splurge all the money at once.

Read my above post, that's exactly what I have and I kept the stock shocks. I'll get some dropped ones some day in the future...Maybe...