Lowering on a budget

[69ROTROD]

I know that spindles are the "way to go" and you "won't regret" spending the money...but if I wanted to lower my truck (moderately) and keep it on the "affordable" side, what would be the best route?

[LockDoc]

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Some guys have cut 1 full coil off of the front springs (i think about 2" drop), and put 2" lowering blocks on the rear (2" drop max this way, I think).

Do not heat the springs....

LockDoc

[corn]

Do you have coils all the way around or leaf/coils? I dropped my 69 3-6 & have Doetsch tech shocks & less than $200 in the whole deal. It can be done & can probably be done cheaper than that. Just make sure you dont make any bad decisions & do something that could hurt someone...

[thirdstreettito]

If you have leafs, you can either take out a few leafs or get a flipkit(165$) or shackle kit(88$). If you have a coil spring rear you can get a shim kit(66$) or drop coils(187$). Front, you can cut the coil for virtually 0$ or spend 800$ on upper/lower drop arms.

Prices from DJM Suspension.

[Sicmaro]

i cut a coil up front and made the 2 inch block in the rear. i want a 1 inch lower spring in the rear also now.....

[69ROTROD]

I considered cutting the springs but I have seen guys have some serious "toe out" issues. I think that I have rear coils...but honestly haven't looked closely at the rear end to be certain.

corn: please give me some examples that may hurt someone so I don't make any poor choices. Thanks!

[corn]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

If you have leafs, you can either take out a few leafs or get a flipkit(165$) or shackle kit(88$). If you have a coil spring rear you can get a shim kit(66$) or drop coils(187$). Front, you can cut the coil for virtually 0$ or spend 800$ on upper/lower drop arms.

Prices from DJM Suspension.

Did you forget to read the post again Bradley? He didnt ask for catalog prices?

[thirdstreettito]

Originally Posted by corn

Did you forget to read the post again Bradley? He didnt ask for catalog prices?

He said on a budget, so I was helping him out. Giving him prices so he wouldnt have to research em himself.

Sorry, next time I'll try to be less helpful.

[corn]

Here's my truck with the 3-6 drop.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ry.php?cat=568

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by 69ROTROD

I considered cutting the springs but I have seen guys have some serious "toe out" issues. I think that I have rear coils...but honestly haven't looked closely at the rear end to be certain.

corn: please give me some examples that may hurt someone so I don't make any poor choices. Thanks!

You are going to have to have it re-aligned regardless of which method you use most likely (not necessary with the spindles) -- but if it is the '69 in your avatar and the front end is stock, spindle lowering kits aren't available for drum brakes anyway

Just get a handful of spacers for the upper A arm mount, use a plum bob on the outside of the tire and you should be able to get the alignment pretty close until you get it to a shop ---- at least close enough not to roach your tires in a month anyway


As far as being careful, support your truck adequately with jack stands and you should be in the clear, the springs are not under a serious amount of pressure with the wheels in the air, but be careful lowering the lower a-arm anyway -- some people go further by chaining the spring together and things like that, but i don't think it is that critical on vintage trucks like these

[69ROTROD]

Originally Posted by corn

Here's my truck with the 3-6 drop.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ry.php?cat=568

LQTM...thanks for all of the hlep guys. This site is a really great asset...

Corn: when my truck grows up, it wants to look like yours.

[sneakysnake]

Originally Posted by 69ROTROD

I considered cutting the springs but I have seen guys have some serious "toe out" issues. I think that I have rear coils...but honestly haven't looked closely at the rear end to be certain.

One loop off wont mess the alignment up so bad that it can't shimmed.Now three.....LOL

[69ROTROD]

When I referred to drop spindles that was assuming that I purchased a front end disc brake conversion kit. But that is waaaay down the road. The cheapest one I have found is like 4-500 bucks. I was thinking about finding a junkyard with some old suburbans and late model chevys and looking into what I might be able to frankenstein up front.

I guess I could cut the springs for now and get an alignment and later down the road do the expensive er, I mean, right way...c'mon promotion time!

Have a great weekend!

[Andy4639]

May I make a suggestion here. Save up the money for a junk disc brake system out of a 73 up truck. Do all of it once and forget about it. In the long run you save money buy not tearing into the front end but once. If you do it now and then add disc it twice you have to take it to a alignment shop.

[corn]

I used a set of ground force 3" springs that I bought here off the net on the front of mine & a flip kit on the rear. I took the flip kit off of my 84 that I bought off the net & made a duplicate at work (free) & a $100 set of shocks that I bought here off the net. There are some great deals here if you dont get in a big hurry...

[69ROTROD]

Defnitely not in a hurry...I've had the truck for 6 years and just got it running in the last year. So if I were to find a scrapyard, what years front ends will bolt up to the 69? I would love to have a little more stopping ability.

Is there some place I can find the info on these swaps? I have the ability to do it...I just need a little more knowledge.

If anybody wants to share knowledge or lessons learned I am definitely one who could benefit from it...lol.

[(joey)]

you guys that went with lowering coils ever have problems with bottoming out on the bump stops?i did my 99 s10 with 3 inch coils in the front and 4 inch blocks in the back and it use to bottom out hard.but if there isnt any isues with these trucks i might go that way with my 67 until i can afford bags.

[corn]

I have 3" springs in the front of my 69. I had to trim the bump stops a little but its been fine. I had 3" springs on my S10 too for about a week. Couldnt get them off quick enough...

[myoldchevytruck]

Here's my 69' with 3/6 drop coils. Front Coils: $20.00 from a friend/Rear Coils: $129.00 Shipped from ECE/Super Track Bar: $120.00 Shipped from ECE/No notch needed.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 69ROTROD

Defnitely not in a hurry...I've had the truck for 6 years and just got it running in the last year. So if I were to find a scrapyard, what years front ends will bolt up to the 69? I would love to have a little more stopping ability.

Is there some place I can find the info on these swaps? I have the ability to do it...I just need a little more knowledge.

If anybody wants to share knowledge or lessons learned I am definitely one who could benefit from it...lol.

The 6X-70 front suspensions interchange w/the 71-87 front suspensions.

Find a suitable mid 70's GM truck that looks relatively clean & intact. You can swap the entire crossmember as a unit or you can swap all the parts over to your existing crossmember. You can even use the 73-80's brake lines (hard & flex) & prop valve.

I bought an entire front suspension from a 75, wheel to wheel w/all the brake lines, master cyl, booster & sway bar..... everything for $200. I used all the returnable items as my cores for new stuff (master cyl, booster, calipers) which helped offset some of the purchase price. When I swapped the old cores for new parts, I got the master cyl & booster for a 72, everything else was for a 75.

Ask or PM if you need any more specifics.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 69ROTROD

Is there some place I can find the info on these swaps? I have the ability to do it...I just need a little more knowledge.

If anybody wants to share knowledge or lessons learned I am definitely one who could benefit from it...lol.

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There is a lot of different information in the FAQ forum. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see the "Forum Jump" box. Click on the little down arrow on the right side of the box and scroll down to "FAQ Truck Tech". On that page go down to "Sticky: FAQ Index thread". When you get into that scroll through the different sections and you will find answers to questions you haven't even thought of yet....

I could have just posted a direct link but there is a lot of good info in the FAQ section and now the people that read this thread will know how to get to it.

I shortened a frame using the instructions in the FAQ and it worked out great. I think there are also threads on installing air bags and static drops.

You might want to check out the "Projects and builds" forum for some good info too.

LockDoc