C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69C10@16 · 06-10-2009, 08:02 PM

Okay guys, I've heard a LOT of different opinions on how far you can drop a truck in the rear without C-Notching the frame. I want to go a 3.5-4/6 Drop but I don't want to touch the frame. I'm okay with having to get the shock relocators and the adjustable panhard bar. So, can I do it? Or can I just go 5??

see ten · 06-10-2009, 09:26 PM

How do you intend to use the truck?

In my experience light to no hauling is fine with a 6" drop and no notch...If you don't mind it bottoming out occasionaly.

If you never want it to bottom out for light hauling 5" should put you where you want to be.

Heavier hauling?...Probably want to put some bags in there to compensate for the load and keep the axle away from the frame.

68_chop_top · 06-11-2009, 12:55 PM

I went with 6" drop in the rear (4" drop spring and 2" blocks) and have never hauled anything and never seemed to need the c notch.
I had to cut the 2" block in half to go back to a 5" drop to make the truck sit level (not tail dragging look) with the 2 1/2" drop spindles and 2" drop springs in the front.

scott's69 · 06-11-2009, 01:17 PM

Ive got a six inch drop with no notch. I haul lots of stuff to shows and cruise ins but I never bottom out. Of course you need good shocks and springs.

72BlckButy · 06-11-2009, 02:17 PM

As previously posted... about a 6" static drop in the rear without a C-notch is all the farther I would go.

brad_man_72 · 06-11-2009, 04:08 PM

i have 5" lowering springs in the back of my truck, 1/4" from the bumpstop empty, on the bumpstop if i get in bed. doesnt ride bad empty.
i thionk im going to need a slightly different setup because i just got a under bed fuel cell and my stance is off.

lyrikz · 06-11-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69C10@16

Okay guys, I've heard a LOT of different opinions on how far you can drop a truck in the rear without C-Notching the frame. I want to go a 3.5-4/6 Drop but I don't want to touch the frame. I'm okay with having to get the shock relocators and the adjustable panhard bar. So, can I do it? Or can I just go 5??

Here is how low you can go... Actually not even that low, cause on hard bumps the frame hit the axle.

69C10@16 · 06-12-2009, 08:10 PM

Do not intend on hauling anything really. Maybe the occasional lawn chair to the drive in movies or something but that would be it. Ive got a 99 GMC Sierra to do the heavy stuff. Thanks for the help guys. Sounds like I'm going to be able to go 6" without any trouble. Much obliged boys much obliged.

lyrikz · 06-12-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69C10@16

Do not intend on hauling anything really. Maybe the occasional lawn chair to the drive in movies or something but that would be it. Ive got a 99 GMC Sierra to do the heavy stuff. Thanks for the help guys. Sounds like I'm going to be able to go 6" without any trouble. Much obliged boys much obliged.

Thats the thing.. YOUR GOING TO HIT.... My truck has a 5"-6" drop in the rear... UNLOADED and on the freeway if you hit a bump it will DONK on the axle... Thats a 5 inch drop. UNLOADED... Your gonna go 6"s i guaruntee you its going to hit... Just fyi.

Tx Firefighter · 06-12-2009, 08:48 PM

I've got literally over 100k miles on my truck with 6 inch rear drop springs and no notch. It's fine. I have hauled Honda Goldwings in the bed (really, I'm not kidding) and it will bottom out then.

The secret is to remove those crazy tall stock bump stops. If you leave them in place, you are certainly going to hit all the time. Get some little short bump stops and you are golden.

lyrikz · 06-12-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I've got literally over 100k miles on my truck with 6 inch rear drop springs and no notch. It's fine. I have hauled Honda Goldwings in the bed (really, I'm not kidding) and it will bottom out then.

The secret is to remove those crazy tall stock bump stops. If you leave them in place, you are certainly going to hit all the time. Get some little short bump stops and you are golden.

Mine didnt have the bump stops. ahaha.. I guess all the trucks are different.. Mine hits all the time, unloaded, no bump stops.. Yours never hits... EIther way, if it hits, just put the notch in

Tx Firefighter · 06-13-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Mine didnt have the bump stops. ahaha.. I guess all the trucks are different.. Mine hits all the time, unloaded, no bump stops.. Yours never hits... EIther way, if it hits, just put the notch in

What brand rear springs do you have ? Mine are Early Classic. I once had a set of Eibach rear springs. They were much softer than any I had ever seen.

lyrikz · 06-13-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

What brand rear springs do you have ? Mine are Early Classic. I once had a set of Eibach rear springs. They were much softer than any I had ever seen.

Early classic fronts and rears. Now its all bagged and notched. ahah

06-10-2009, 08:02 PM	#1
69C10@16 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greenfield, MO Posts: 215	C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? Okay guys, I've heard a LOT of different opinions on how far you can drop a truck in the rear without C-Notching the frame. I want to go a 3.5-4/6 Drop but I don't want to touch the frame. I'm okay with having to get the shock relocators and the adjustable panhard bar. So, can I do it? Or can I just go 5??

06-10-2009, 09:26 PM	#2
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? How do you intend to use the truck? In my experience light to no hauling is fine with a 6" drop and no notch...If you don't mind it bottoming out occasionaly. If you never want it to bottom out for light hauling 5" should put you where you want to be. Heavier hauling?...Probably want to put some bags in there to compensate for the load and keep the axle away from the frame.

06-11-2009, 12:55 PM	#3
68_chop_top Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Granbury, TEXAS Posts: 250	Re: C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? I went with 6" drop in the rear (4" drop spring and 2" blocks) and have never hauled anything and never seemed to need the c notch. I had to cut the 2" block in half to go back to a 5" drop to make the truck sit level (not tail dragging look) with the 2 1/2" drop spindles and 2" drop springs in the front. __________________ Mine is chopped, has a clutch, and a big block.

06-11-2009, 01:17 PM	#4
scott's69 WORTHLESS CRUISERS Join Date: May 2002 Location: Lancaster, SC Posts: 237	Re: C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? Ive got a six inch drop with no notch. I haul lots of stuff to shows and cruise ins but I never bottom out. Of course you need good shocks and springs. __________________ Scott Hammond Lancaster, SC 1969 Chevy2005 Chevy Silverado Z71 72 Chevy 1972 SWB 454 If you don't live for something, then you'll die for nothing. www.xclusive-images.com

06-11-2009, 02:17 PM	#5
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? As previously posted... about a 6" static drop in the rear without a C-notch is all the farther I would go. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

06-11-2009, 04:08 PM	#6
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? i have 5" lowering springs in the back of my truck, 1/4" from the bumpstop empty, on the bumpstop if i get in bed. doesnt ride bad empty. i thionk im going to need a slightly different setup because i just got a under bed fuel cell and my stance is off. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

06-12-2009, 08:10 PM	#8
69C10@16 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greenfield, MO Posts: 215	Re: C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? Do not intend on hauling anything really. Maybe the occasional lawn chair to the drive in movies or something but that would be it. Ive got a 99 GMC Sierra to do the heavy stuff. Thanks for the help guys. Sounds like I'm going to be able to go 6" without any trouble. Much obliged boys much obliged.

06-12-2009, 08:48 PM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: C-Notch. What is the max drop without it? I've got literally over 100k miles on my truck with 6 inch rear drop springs and no notch. It's fine. I have hauled Honda Goldwings in the bed (really, I'm not kidding) and it will bottom out then. The secret is to remove those crazy tall stock bump stops. If you leave them in place, you are certainly going to hit all the time. Get some little short bump stops and you are golden. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin



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