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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Victoria BC Canada
Posts: 3
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Lowering my '69
I finally picked up a 1969 Longbox Fleetside yesterday after months of searching and I thought I would ask you guys what you would suggest for lowering?
I would like to drop it around 3 inches, as it sits fairly high right now. I'm aiming for a slight bit of wheel tuck. On my old mazda I had Nitro Drop 2's and 3" blocks in the rear, and the torsion bars cranked right off and it was dumped, but in a bad way. It has trailing arms/coils in the rear instead of leafs so what do you suggest for lowering options? Thanks!! |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Franklinton NC
Posts: 1,309
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Re: Lowering my '69
I would go with drop spindles and 1 inch springs up front and 3 inch springs in the rear. Just my $.02
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#3 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
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Re: Lowering my '69
WELCOME!! I did 2 1/2 drop spindles in front and 4 drop springs rear.The spindles will require a switch to disc brakes front and a new MC proportioning valve for the brakes.The rear springs are a bolt on but will work better with a shock relocation kit.Spindles let you lower with less issues with wheel alignment.You will also have to check your wheels since factory 6 lug from this era don't usually clear disc calipers.Front lowering springs are available but more than 2 inches seems to lead to alignment problems.You can of course use a combination though more than 4 inches in rear requires and adjustable panhard bar and more than 6 a c-notch to the frame.There's no really simple answer to your question but if you do a search,there will be lots of info to educate yourself with.
You also should be aware of the fact that a 3 in drop spring will generally not give you three in of drop/The original springs have probably sagged over the last 40+ years and drop springs will be based on factory height springs.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Hemet,Ca
Posts: 1,502
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Re: Lowering my '69
If you have drums all around and coils all around and wanted to save. YOu could just do a basic 3"/5" drop with the adjustable panhard bar. Only thing about goin 3" drop coils front is they have to add quite a bit of spacers to align it right. And those spacers sometimes take a beating and fall out. It happen to me when i had that on a 64 chevy truck. Unless firestone just didnt know how to do alignment. Best is to get the disc brake front so you can do drop spindles and coils. I wouldnt just drop it 2" cause most likely your truck over the years has sagged down to a 2" drop. That is how mine is now. Was gonna install 2" drop coils and realize mine sagged to that height. haha
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 72
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Re: Lowering my '69
If you cut 1 coil from the front springs will it mess with alignment very much?
Do 4" rear springs require the shock relocate or can you get by without them? How much trouble is involved with moving the shocks? Just wondering because I want to do this before I put my new tires and rallies on.
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#6 | ||
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: Lowering my '69
Quote:
Quote:
In the rear, you can run 4 inch springs without relocators. It won't ride as well as if you had them, but it will work. Over the years, lots of guys, myself included, did it this way and ran many miles just as happy as can be. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Hemet,Ca
Posts: 1,502
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Re: Lowering my '69
Quote:
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Spring, Tx.
Posts: 479
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Re: Lowering my '69
X2 same as above, spring and drop spindle up fromt and 3 inch springs in the rear
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Grand Terrace, Ca.
Posts: 1,607
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Re: Lowering my '69
I have a '69 long bed and lowered mine 4/6 (more like 5/7 after adjustments) with spindles and springs. The disc brakes on the front REALLY make a difference in the fun factor when you drive it, I recommend the upgrade.
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#10 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,699
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Re: Lowering my '69
Beautiful truck!^^^
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#11 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Posts: 1,237
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Re: Lowering my '69
Quote:
I actually feel the same way. I love my drums but I need my drop spindles installed. Posted via Mobile Device
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#teamlongbed "I refuse to go disc brakes. I actually love drum brakes. It makes for an adventure." - 50bomb 1978 Chevy shop truck - static 6/8" 1970 GMC 1500 - Accuair eLevel Resto-mod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537497 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Flower Mound TX
Posts: 173
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Re: Lowering my '69
ItsRandy can you clarify 4/6 (more like 5/7 after adjustments), curious what you did to make it lower than the kit.
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Antonio TX
Posts: 424
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Re: Lowering my '69
X2 ^^ also some info about how you got rid of the vent windows?? Sorry to Hijack..
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If I see a Zombie.. Im runnin it over with my Truck. |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Hemet,Ca
Posts: 1,502
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Re: Lowering my '69
Quote:
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Grand Terrace, Ca.
Posts: 1,607
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Re: Lowering my '69
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Grand Terrace, Ca.
Posts: 1,607
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Re: Lowering my '69
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North Bend, WA
Posts: 272
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Re: Lowering my '69
Talk to the guys at ECE and they will hook you up. Wealth of knowledge there and they are good guys to chat with.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/ Posted via Mobile Device
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68 c20 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358130 Club longbed ...cause girls like'em long!!!!! |
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