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Old 06-16-2014, 09:29 PM   #1
c20pickup
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lowering c20, the easy way?

im looking to lower the rear of my 70 c20, and maybe a 1 or 2 inch drop up front. in the near future i will be changing spindles to 1971 disc brake spindles, so the coils in front have to come out, i read somewhere that cutting one coil is equal to a 1 or 2 inch drop, first of all, is simply cutting the coils a safe option to lower, or should i just buy drop spindles? id rather not buy new spindles, because i have a set of disc spindles here already? how much of the coil should i cut for say a 1-2 inch drop up front? and in the rear, being a c20 it sits really high. the rear has trailing arms and coils currently the truck has an eaton ho52 rear end that i plan to swap for an aam1150 in the future, i was looking at just buying blocks for the rear to lowering it about 2 inches. i like the idea of the blocks because then i dont affect the rear springs, and i can kep the towing capacity of a c20. opinions? suggestions?
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Old 06-16-2014, 10:14 PM   #2
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Re: lowering c20, the easy way?

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Originally Posted by c20pickup View Post
im looking to lower the rear of my 70 c20, and maybe a 1 or 2 inch drop up front. in the near future i will be changing spindles to 1971 disc brake spindles, so the coils in front have to come out, i read somewhere that cutting one coil is equal to a 1 or 2 inch drop, first of all, is simply cutting the coils a safe option to lower, or should i just buy drop spindles? id rather not buy new spindles, because i have a set of disc spindles here already? how much of the coil should i cut for say a 1-2 inch drop up front? and in the rear, being a c20 it sits really high. the rear has trailing arms and coils currently the truck has an eaton ho52 rear end that i plan to swap for an aam1150 in the future, i was looking at just buying blocks for the rear to lowering it about 2 inches. i like the idea of the blocks because then i dont affect the rear springs, and i can kep the towing capacity of a c20. opinions? suggestions?

One coil will generally give you 2 to 2 1/2 inches drop. There is an indentation in the lower A arm that the end of the coil sits in so be sure the end of the coil you cut is sitting in the indentation on both sides or the truck won't sit level.... On the rear a 2" block is usually considered the max for ground clearance on the "U" bolts. You will have to have 2" longer "U" bolts made.

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Old 06-16-2014, 10:15 PM   #3
davepl
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Re: lowering c20, the easy way?

Let the air out of the tires!

Which, as you tell, means I'm not a fan of lowering, but would discourage you from cutting coils. It'd net you a very stiff ride. You could get lowering springs as a better choice, or heck, weaker springs. Just don't heat or cut springs.

Lowering spindle would be the way to go.

Frankly, if you plan to tow with it, I'd leave the factory geometry alone. But that's just me.
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Old 06-16-2014, 10:38 PM   #4
Blakeman350
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Re: lowering c20, the easy way?

I cut one wrap out of my coils it dropped it about 2 inches and rides nice. Then I took 3 leafs out of the rear ( there was 9 all together) and that dropped it about 2.5. Definitely wouldn't heat your oils though that's usually bad news.
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Old 06-16-2014, 10:39 PM   #5
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Re: lowering c20, the easy way?

Idk why my phone made the pics upside down. But u get the picture.
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Old 06-16-2014, 10:54 PM   #6
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Re: lowering c20, the easy way?

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Flippity-flip.... I couldn't stand to see the dog hanging from the floor..

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Old 06-16-2014, 10:58 PM   #7
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Re: lowering c20, the easy way?

Lol thanks lockdoc. I never have had that happen before.
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Old 06-17-2014, 09:59 AM   #8
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Re: lowering c20, the easy way?

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Flippity-flip.... I couldn't stand to see the dog hanging from the floor..

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Thanks for the laugh...I needed it.

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