The best REAR drop kits.

[78BO]

Ok, so as some of you may have read I’m trying to drop my truck. I bought a 2.5/4 kit from LMC and had some issues with the front. WELLLL, I it didn’t stop there. I got the left rear hanger off and went to bolt on the new hanger all to find out that the bolt holes are about ¼ in off. It’s so off that I can’t use them. I’m going to call LMC to see if I can send just the rear back and get a refund. If so, then I’ll buy another drop kit.

I didn’t ask before and as you can tell I SHOULD have.
So, who makes a good kit? What issued did you have installing it? Did you have to make any adjustments? I thought this would be a direct bolt on.

Thanks,
Bryan

[bigarmzz]

man 78BO, you've had some real issues with LMC crap aint ya?


you CANT go wrong with western chassis stuff....sport truck direct sells them

they are slow to ship, and are a bit high on shipping charges, but end result: you get good stuff that fits, ya know?

i had "zero" fitment issues with western chassis components, and i've had quite a few of these trucks now

[flamingbig10]

also McGaughy's, djm, and beltec is good and summit sells them

[nlped]

I went with McGaughy's off of Egay. The price was by far the best that I found and the shipping was only $12. I have since decided to go with a 2.5" spindle, 1.5" spring, and a flip kit so I haven't started the install as I am going to have to build the flip kit bracket because of the ever so slightly larger 96 rearend axle tube .

[78BO]

I think I'm gona go with Summit. At least with them I've never hand any issues with shipping or parts. Actually I've never gotten a bad part from them. LMC is giving me all kinds of hell. They say they need exact details of why the parts wont fit. I guess the part about "the holes don't line up" isn't good enough lol. They wont let me send back just the hangers because I bought a kit. I told them it doesn't make and sence to pay shipping for the kit which is I bet close to 100 lbs when you can send just the hangers 10 lbs at the most. I laughed at the lady when she asked which hole is off lol. I told her if I have to send the kit back I'm just going to want my money back not another kit.

Anyways,
Thanks for the info. I know this isn't supposed to be this hard. I bet I'm the 1 out of 1,000,000 customers that have had this problem.

[AirMale]

[qoute]you CANT go wrong with western chassis stuff....sport truck direct sells them

they are slow to ship, and are a bit high on shipping charges, but end result: you get good stuff that fits, ya know?

i had "zero" fitment issues with western chassis components, and i've had quite a few of these trucks now[/QUOTE]

I have to agree. Great stuff!

[78BO]

SUMNA B#$@%, Sport truck is cheaper too! LOL. By about 60 bucks. I got a call back from LMC, the manager said that their research department agrees with me that the spindles and hangers are messed up. They checked the other kits that are on hand and they are all drilled the same. So if you know of anyone that has bought a kit tell them about it. She said she will call me back tomorrow after she hears from the vender that makes the kits.

[smashingchuck]

I'll be surpirised if you get a full refund from LMC. But, maybe if they agree it won't fit you might get lucky.

On the other note, I would just order the new one from Summit. Best prices, faster than fast shipping, no haggeling over returns, and reasonable shipping rates.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

I'll be surpirised if you get a full refund from LMC. But, maybe if they agree it won't fit you might get lucky.

On the other note, I would just order the new one from Summit. Best prices, faster than fast shipping, no haggeling over returns, and reasonable shipping rates.

Yea, I think your right. But as far as them not believeing me I'm sending pictures. You can see the wholes don't even come close. That and they are WAY to big. The bolts they sent don't fit. I'd have to drill out the frame. So far I don't think anyone has had to do that.

Anyways, another day is done lol.

[3r!c84]

wow good parts are hard to find

[lolife99]

Bolt the stock brackets back on and do a flip kit.
You'll want it lower than a 2.5/4 anyway. Everyone always does.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Bolt the stock brackets back on and do a flip kit.
You'll want it lower than a 2.5/4 anyway. Everyone always does.

I don't think they will work anymore. The grinder kind of kick their but. That and the 5lb hammer lol. Plus this will be a working farm truck.

[78maliburat]

Originally Posted by 78BO

Yea, I think your right. But as far as them not believeing me I'm sending pictures. You can see the wholes don't even come close. That and they are WAY to big. The bolts they sent don't fit. I'd have to drill out the frame. So far I don't think anyone has had to do that.

Anyways, another day is done lol.

if lmc doesnt take them let me know

[nlped]

That fitment sucks!!! How can a company get that far off the mark?

[78BO]

Originally Posted by nlped

That fitment sucks!!! How can a company get that far off the mark?

That's what I was asking lol. From the machining viewpoint it would be so simple to make a GO/NO GO gage for the hole locations. This part just couldn't have been checked. And to top that, there isn't really a way for it to be a tool ware issue (say the drill or mill wares down and makes the od smaller). This would have to be a bad program or bad setup and it so the manufacturer would have had to check the part after the first peace was made. They just said "screw it " and shipped it out anyways.

To be fair, I can't really blame LMC for the parts because they don't make them. They just ship them out. They don't have a tech line. They just sell the parts. So I'm ASSuming that they order parts from other manufactures and take their word that they are made to specs. Unless someone complains they would never know there was ever a problem.

What I do blame LMC for is that they make it very hard and frustrating to try and fix things like this. They make it hard to get to the customer service department (it's like pulling teeth). And then, if you don't have pictures to prove there is a problem and you want to return something they put you on the back burner and drag out your refund. At least that's how they have made me feel. Anyways. As of right now they are working on it and I'll give anyone a chance. If they make good on this I will edit my first post to reflect that. But until then buyer be ware.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by 78maliburat

if lmc doesnt take them let me know

Will do.

[dunnit]

my old c10 , i used a pair of universal weld on perch pads and the rest was stock....cost was about 14 bucks. time wise , about 45 minutes. flipped the rear and got about a 6 or so drop....... just bought another old 84 , and will do it again. dunnit

[1976HighSierra]

Just lowered my 1976 GMC this past weekend. 2" shackles and hangers. Had the same problem with my hangers. This is what I did: put bolts in front two holes, back holes were way off so I used a large punch to pry the holes into alignment, then used a C-clamp to hold it in place, removed the punch and put the bolt in. It worked rather well. The problem I have now is the leafs set on one of the bed cross braces directly in front of the shackle. Guess I'll have to cut to make clearance.

[78BO]

Man, it's amazing how easy it is to do things when you have the right tools and the RIGHT freaking parts. I went on ahead and ordered 3in drop springs and a new 4in hanger and shakle drop from summit. I reused my old spindles (good thing I didn't throw them away like I always do) and had the truck back together in a few hours. I will say I wished the rear was 1in lower. But it either way, it looks a lot better now. Heres some before and after pics.
Thanks for your imput guys. I'll be calling LMC to arrange a pick up day for their crap tomorrow.
Before

[SBTork]

looks good, you can always take a leaf or two out of the rear to level it off.

[menace121978]

looks good man i'd probably take a leaf or 2 out of the back for another couple inches.

are the hp #'s to the wheels?? i bet that thing is fun to drive around town!

[menace121978]

great minds think alike!!

[Orange77]

plannin on doin the 4/6 drop but have long tube hookers anyone have issues with them draggin while driving or goin over speed bumps?

[78BO]

Originally Posted by menace121978

looks good man i'd probably take a leaf or 2 out of the back for another couple inches.

are the hp #'s to the wheels?? i bet that thing is fun to drive around town!

I wish it was to the wheels. It's a create engine and that's what it dynoed at the shop. So it's at the flywheel. I'm going to take it to get it dyno-tuned soon. Maybe they can squeeze a few more hp's out of it. But it's still pretty fun.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by Orange77

plannin on doin the 4/6 drop but have long tube hookers anyone have issues with them draggin while driving or goin over speed bumps?

I bet at 4ins you'd have to go slow. I have long tube headers and it's sets pretty low now.