New to forum "new" 67 lwb and a few questions

[kwmvanc]

Hey guys I just picked up a 67 long box survivor-style good running farm truck.

My plans are to leaving it looking as is (kind of patina) but lower it and improve the handling and the brakes right away.

It'r running the inline six now with a bull low four speed, but came with the original three on the tree stuff. I intend to put the three speed back in and enjoy it like that for a while then eventually go LS power and maybe a 6 speed manual.

I'm also thinking 5 lug 15" steelies, although after reading all the making it handle stuff may have to go to a larger wheel and lower profile tires. But for now I want that old patina original look.

Questions are as follows:

1. - Lowering front - I think I'm wanting about a 4/6 drop and, once it is LS powered I really want to be able to beat on it without hitting the ground and hearing things rub and scrape all the time (I have a chopped traditional custom which is super cool but you can't carve corners in it).

So...to do things right should I go for a drop member in the front.? Probably cheaper to do coils and drop spindles but I do want it to really work in the corners. Also with the 15" wheels are things going to hit the ground with the drop spindles?

Also wondering if I can keep the stock steering for a while cuz I enjoy the old man farmer feel of it for now with the six. But would maybe go rack and pinion later.

Wondering about the handling set up with 15" wheels and if everything would need to be changed if I went to say 17 or 18 later.?

2. - the 5 bolt conversion is the best thing the 5x5 pattern.?

3. - Rear drop - I'm pretty sure I'll need a C-notch and wondering if people are pretty happy with the handling etc. I'd like to go with the outboard shock relocation like the Joe Touring truck and the sway bar etc since I'll only be running 10' wide wheels at the most. But I'm hoping to avoid the bigger step notch because I don't want to move the bed floor up. But if the C-notch is not enough then I am sort of willing to do the bed floor mods. Wondering about peoples experience with C-Notch and a 6 inch drop. Also wondering about the drop with only 15" wheels and would suspension parts potentially hang lower than the rim (not sure if that would pass safety inspection up here in Vancouver).

That's about it. I'm not going for a full frame-off just going to let it evolve for a while. I'll fix the bit of rot it has on the drivers rocker and rear passenger side cab mount if I can, but just patina it back up after and not paint the truck just yet (or ever).

One day I might shorten it to a swb.

And answers and/or suggestions are welcome. Please fire away.!

Ken