driving characteristics of various drop amounts?

[moregrip]

trying to get an idea how how the more popular drop heights drive without getting into exotic ($$$) stuff. Also things like ground clearance, speed bump clearance, driveway scraping (if any), think good lowered look thats used as a daily driver.

for the front 3"-5"

for rear flip vs shackle/hanger/spring 5"-6"

basically whatever combo you have that falls into the above ranges and the pros and cons of that setup AND how does she drive/handle vs. ground clearance.

[J Knight]

3 in the front and 5 in the rear is about as low as you can go and have "almost" no issues with ground clearance. Once you go lower than that you will have to be extra careful on speedbumps, steep drives, dips, and other obstacles mostly because of the front crossmember and lower control arms being so close to the ground.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chrly1492]

I've got about a 3" up front with drop-spindles, and shorter coils. And in back I went with a shackle kit, and fewer leaf springs for about a 5" drop. I have long tube headers and they are the low point underneath, I don't have to worry about hitting on speed bumps, or driveways, but I can't change the oil unless it goes up on jack stands. good luck with your project.

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by J Knight

3 in the front and 5 in the rear is about as low as you can go and have "almost" no issues with ground clearance. Once you go lower than that you will have to be extra careful on speedbumps, steep drives, dips, and other obstacles mostly because of the front crossmember and lower control arms being so close to the ground.
Posted via Mobile Device

Good info.

I think I'll be happy with a 3/5, but more so with a 4/5.

Does a heavier spring help with the clearance issues, say from a 3/4 ton?

[Rich84]

4.5 and 5.0
No issues at all...no bump stops..slow down over major bumps.
Handles well. Get a sway bar if you don't have one. Makes a huge difference.
Posted via Mobile Device

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by Rich84

4.5 and 5.0
No issues at all...no bump stops..slow down over major bumps.
Handles well. Get a sway bar if you don't have one. Makes a huge difference.
Posted via Mobile Device

thanks brother, how did you accomplish for the 4.5/5 drop? (i.e. parts used) I may have to follow suit

[G Man]

I just put Beltech 3 inch drop spindels on and with my 15 inch rims way too low. Crossmember is way too low. I cut one full coil and now crossmember is 1 7/8 inch off pavement. If I had 17 or 18 inch rims might be ok. So going to sneek up on some stock coils. I am going to cut 1/4 of a coil and take a measurement of crossmember to pavement. If that is not the right look for me, well just going to call Porterbuilt back and do some more serious talking. They have some nice products. I just wish they were doing this in 1979 and 1980. This is the problem with lowering a pickup. at first it is low enough for you. Then you want it lower and now look at me lo. Its only money.l

[lilpoindexter]

I'm on 2.5" spindles with 2 inch coils on the front, and flipped on the back, with stock size tires up front, and 15x8's on the back.
I hit a dip for a drainage grate at about 40 mph and pass side tire kissed the inner fender well, and the whole truck steered to the right a little...Scared me a little as there were people in the crosswalks.
if I had to do it again, I would use only 1" springs with the 2.5" spindles..I also have a little bit of a rake which I don't like....So either I'd pull the inner fenders out or not go as low.

[Sodell]

I have 2.5 spindles up front and cut one coil. It cost a little more to get the alignment done, but it rides better than stock. The stock stuff was wore out. I put in an entire new front suspension in so it would be hard to tell what difference the drop made in the ride quality. It gave me exactly 4" up front. With 235/70/15's I have had no issues, but we don't have a lot of speed bumps around here to deal with. I have ran across a few and I always slow down.

[demok83]

I just put shorter coils on the front hoping to get 3". I think it was more like 2" drop. On the rear, I did a flip kit with shock extenders. Rides a little rougher, but I love the look! I will probably end up putting drop spindles on the front eventually as well to level it out better.

[Rich84]

Djm 3" spindles & 1.5" lowering springs.. Flip kit in the rear.
When I first did it I thought it was too low..but not anymore. Very happy.. If I only could get some tires......
Posted via Mobile Device