coil rear lowering concerns - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevyforever · 09-07-2003, 11:23 PM

i am about to lower the rear of my 71 half ton with coils. i believe the previous owner heated up the coils to lower it somewhat because the springs look funny compared to normal ones. the thing that i am wondering about, is when you put in the lowering springs, it will move the rear differential to the passenger side and make it not centered with the rest of the truck,,right? because of the traction bar. can you just shorten the bar, or do they have an aftermarket one to go with the springs. thanks for any lignt on this situation.

chevyforever

70 longbed · 09-07-2003, 11:39 PM

You can purchase an adjustable panhard bar. I bought mine from Early Classics Enterprise.

Longhorn Man · 09-07-2003, 11:41 PM

Also, the springs are supposed to be like that. The center 3 coils are almost touching...right?
They are a variable rate spring. (onless you have H.D. springs, then they should be evenly spaced.)

BraveDave · 09-08-2003, 12:17 AM

i have 4-inch lowering springs on my truck and there is no significant difference at all. if you are going lower than that, you may encounter a problem, in which case an adjustable panhard rod will fix you up!

Longhorn Man · 09-08-2003, 12:26 AM

Brave dave, how wide are your rims, and how much back spacing do you have?
A 4 inch drop with the stock bar seems a bit exsesive to me. I can load down my truck with stock springs, drop it 4 inches with the weight, and have lots of rubbing. (I have shiney metal in my wheel wells).
You need to keep in mind the variables. Stock sized wheels and tires would pass with a 4 inch, real wide stiff would shred on the sheet metal.

Hotrod70C10 · 09-08-2003, 02:33 AM

I'm with andy on this one, I have 4" drop springs and the early classic adjustable track bar isn't enough to pull the rear over dead center in the frame. My guess is my worn out trailing arm bushings.... I've had a pair of poly bushings setting on my desk for over 6 months.

I'll be installing them soon though.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 09-08-2003, 08:31 AM

How much adjustment is in the early classics track arm?

Longhorn Man · 09-08-2003, 11:15 PM

Hmmm, good question mothertruckers.
Anyone able to answer?

Hugger · 09-08-2003, 11:39 PM

I havn't adjusted mine yet, but looks to be at least 3" to 4"

Hotrod70C10 · 09-08-2003, 11:43 PM

I can't remember it's been on my truck since the first of the year.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 09-09-2003, 10:48 AM

Thanks.

MrShelley · 09-09-2003, 11:37 AM

The Early Classic Super Track Bar Kit has nowhere NEAR 3" to 4" of adjustment. Mine isn't installed yet, so I'll measure how much it does have when I get home.

Red68 · 09-09-2003, 08:13 PM

I lowered my 68 4" and used an adjustable bar, I probably only changed the length by 1/2" or so. Not much difference as far as I could tell.

Hotrod70C10 · 09-09-2003, 08:59 PM

Red68, I had that same problem..... No i'm going to drop the rear more than 4" and I'm going to have to go ahead and buy the whole kit with the longer bar..... If I could only keep my mind made up for once....

09-07-2003, 11:23 PM	#1
chevyforever Some like em' long! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Grace, Idaho Posts: 69	coil rear lowering concerns i am about to lower the rear of my 71 half ton with coils. i believe the previous owner heated up the coils to lower it somewhat because the springs look funny compared to normal ones. the thing that i am wondering about, is when you put in the lowering springs, it will move the rear differential to the passenger side and make it not centered with the rest of the truck,,right? because of the traction bar. can you just shorten the bar, or do they have an aftermarket one to go with the springs. thanks for any lignt on this situation. chevyforever __________________ 1971 chevy c10 lwb- 300 hp 350 crate motor, soon to be more with ported and polished 62cc chamber 461 double humps, TH400, 3.73 posi, used to be my uncle's truck 1972 chevy k10 lwb- 350,4 spd, old and tired, dad bought brand new and is now mine 1968 chevy c20 lwb- 327, 4 spd, was originally a 50th anniversary truck 1990 GMC K1500-just my runaround truck 1982 Chevy K10 shortbed, new motor and new paint, another project in the mix of the others. IMPORTS SUCK!

09-07-2003, 11:39 PM	#2
70 longbed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 490	You can purchase an adjustable panhard bar. I bought mine from Early Classics Enterprise. __________________ Keith 70 CST longbed in progress. Hoping to get it back on the road soon.

09-08-2003, 12:17 AM	#4
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	i have 4-inch lowering springs on my truck and there is no significant difference at all. if you are going lower than that, you may encounter a problem, in which case an adjustable panhard rod will fix you up! __________________ '72 Chevy Cheyenne Super, '56 Chevy Bel Air,'56 Chevy Nomad, '61 Chevy Impala, '64 Cadillac Fleetwood, 1966 Thunderbird Convertible

09-08-2003, 02:33 AM	#6
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	I'm with andy on this one, I have 4" drop springs and the early classic adjustable track bar isn't enough to pull the rear over dead center in the frame. My guess is my worn out trailing arm bushings.... I've had a pair of poly bushings setting on my desk for over 6 months. I'll be installing them soon though. __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop

09-08-2003, 08:31 AM	#7
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	How much adjustment is in the early classics track arm? __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

09-07-2003, 11:41 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Also, the springs are supposed to be like that. The center 3 coils are almost touching...right? They are a variable rate spring. (onless you have H.D. springs, then they should be evenly spaced.)

09-08-2003, 12:26 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Brave dave, how wide are your rims, and how much back spacing do you have? A 4 inch drop with the stock bar seems a bit exsesive to me. I can load down my truck with stock springs, drop it 4 inches with the weight, and have lots of rubbing. (I have shiney metal in my wheel wells). You need to keep in mind the variables. Stock sized wheels and tires would pass with a 4 inch, real wide stiff would shred on the sheet metal.

09-08-2003, 11:15 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Hmmm, good question mothertruckers. Anyone able to answer?

09-08-2003, 11:39 PM	#9
Hugger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 137	I havn't adjusted mine yet, but looks to be at least 3" to 4" __________________ 72 LWB - Hugger Orange 350/350 3.73 Next; 335hp GM Crate

09-08-2003, 11:43 PM	#10
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	I can't remember it's been on my truck since the first of the year. __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop

09-09-2003, 10:48 AM	#11
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	Thanks. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

09-09-2003, 11:37 AM	#12
MrShelley Too Many Clubs Club Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kilgore, Texas Posts: 443	The Early Classic Super Track Bar Kit has nowhere NEAR 3" to 4" of adjustment. Mine isn't installed yet, so I'll measure how much it does have when I get home.

09-09-2003, 08:13 PM	#13
Red68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Rhome, TX Posts: 209	I lowered my 68 4" and used an adjustable bar, I probably only changed the length by 1/2" or so. Not much difference as far as I could tell. __________________ 1968 C10 LWB 327 bored 40 over, RHS heads, KB pistons, Eagle rods, Edlebrock carb & intake 1968 C10 flatbed 307 w/ 4 spd manual (dads old ride) 1936 1/2 tn pickup, 400sb 350 turbo (partially restored) 1949 1/2 tn, needs complete restore (future project) 1969 Chevy impala 4 dr no post (wifes future car) 2010 GMC Serria 4x4 crew, leveling kit

09-09-2003, 08:59 PM	#14
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	Red68, I had that same problem..... No i'm going to drop the rear more than 4" and I'm going to have to go ahead and buy the whole kit with the longer bar..... If I could only keep my mind made up for once.... __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop

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