suggestions and guidance on lowering a 67 C10

[Vince Putt]

I'm finally getting to the point where I can start my rebuild on my wife's truck.
A 67 SWB.

We are going for a daily driver that is rock solid reliable and won't make us feel like we are riding a skateboard on the power tour.

Planning on running something along the line of a 60 series tire on 8" ralley wheel in the front and a 60 series tire on a 10" ralley on the back.
we are after the look of a filled wheelwell with tire.

Roads are pretty roiugh here in eastern Pa. so I have to be conservative for the ride height. Otherwise I may have to put tow hooks and a winch on it to get it out of a pothole.

Years ago I had a 85 Silverado when I lived in Dallas TX and the roads were smooth as silk compared to PA. It was running 15x10's with 50 series tires all around with a drop shop modified a arms two coils cut from the springs and flip kit in the back. I was pretty happy with the ride quality and only
seriously bottomed out once.


Here's what I have parts wise that I'd like to use, A set of bell dropped spindles for the 85 truck (I got rid of the drop shop A Arm parts) the entire front crossmember from the 85 including power steering box, 5" bolt pattern brakes, master clyinder, stock height springs, tilt steering and all parts. for the rear I have acquired a coil spring C10 frame, I have my choice of using a 6 lug stock stock rear axle or a 9"in ford with disc brakes from a lincoln versiales. 5 lug 4 1/2 bolt pattern. I'm not real sure on the condition of the trailing arms they look pretty rusty I'll sandblast them and decide if they are usable. New ones are available at about $350 I have another option of using the 9" with Art Morrison Adjustable Ladder bar setup. with coil over spring setup (this was under the 85 during a rebuild project that got sidelined when the wife decided she wanted a 67)

Technology has come a long way since the 85 was built and rebuilt and rebuilt again.

I've been seeing that Airbags are being used alot now.
How viable is the Air bag thing? Are they reliable? I remember my buddy's Lincoln that almost always had rear airbag problems. I know that this would be an expensive venture. I'm not wishing to set the frame rails on the ground I'm interested in having a quality ride that's super reliable.

Other parts and pieces I've seen are things like a a new center crossmember.
The manufacturer says it's to be used with trucks with a 5" or more drop.
I'm not sure if I have to go that far for the look I want. Should or could I use that center crossmember regardless of my drop? I'll be running a one piece driveshaft. How low can things go before I run into driveshaft hitting the center crossmember?

It's my understanding the the 85 crossmember is pretty much a bolt in shy of changing some holes.


On the suspension site on this board there is a big discussion going on about people are dropping (sectioning the front crossmember). How viable is sectioning the crossmember? I'm not afraid of doing the work but I'm wondering is it really necessary. It appears to me that it would or could really help out with ground clearance by sectioning the area under the engine. The by sectioning out the area of crossmember where the frame rail meets that lowering the entire frontal area could be done.


Ok I'm all ears, Give me some ideas on how low I should go and what your thoughts are on my options.

Thanks
Vince