Dropmember or not for 5.5 drop?

[kitsbeach]

Hey Guys,

I recently picked up the green 1967 in the picture and plan on building a daily driver with all the updates done while using the truck. I'm not doing a resto on it and want to keep it looking old and faded.

I'd like to end up with a 5.5/8 drop similar to Shawno72's old white patina truck (pictured below too).

That said I want it to handle super well and be able to handle normal roads without hitting the ground.

I'd like to maintain my stock steering box for now and my stock A-arms.

So...should I go for drop member or just do spindles and coils.?

If dropmember, can I keep my stock A-arms.?

Are there steering issues, or can I keep stock steering parts for now.?

Does the drop member raise the motor and require other parts to be changed (I read someone needed a longer driveshaft and his shift linkage no longer worked but don't know who's drop member he used).?

I'm running an inline six right now with farmer four speed. I have the original three on the tree parts and tranny that I'd like to put in and run for a while (may eventually go LS and 6-speed manual).

Ken

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Have you thought about sectioning your cross member for additional clearance plus a 1 1/2 inch drop. Also if you move the lower A arm forward 1 you improve handling.

They have threads on how people have done it. I was going to do this to my C20 before I tuned it into a 73,74,79 K20.

[tinydb84]

[QUOTE=kitsbeach;6691685]Hey Guys,

I recently picked up the green 1967 in the picture and plan on building a daily driver with all the updates done while using the truck. I'm not doing a resto on it and want to keep it looking old and faded.

I'd like to end up with a 5.5/8 drop similar to Shawno72's old white patina truck (pictured below too).

That said I want it to handle super well and be able to handle normal roads without hitting the ground.

How tall of tires are you going to run?

I'd like to maintain my stock steering box for now and my stock A-arms.

So...should I go for drop member or just do spindles and coils.?

Go spindles (cause you can use them on a dropmember) and cut a coil for now.

If dropmember, can I keep my stock A-arms.?

Some versions did. I dont know about the current verison.

Are there steering issues, or can I keep stock steering parts for now.?

Cant keep stock steering with the dropmember.

Does the drop member raise the motor and require other parts to be changed (I read someone needed a longer driveshaft and his shift linkage no longer worked but don't know who's drop member he used).?

I believe 1.5 inches. Dont know anything about the shift linkage. Drive shaft should be okay.

Based on what you said I think you would be happier with a stock set up (have you thought about bags with the stock equipment? Porterbuilt stage 1). It doesnt sound like you want to lay frame or carve up the roads.

[kitsbeach]

Thanks you guys.

I'm going to run 15x7 and 15x8 steelies. I do want it to handle really well. I realize I will be limited somewhat by the tall 70 or 75 series tires.

I'd like it to handle something similar to the early "Joe Touring" truck on the boards here owned by robnolimit.

I could spring for new a-arms if it helps the handling (and the ground clearance?).

I'll put in new coils and good quality shocks. In the rear I will do a C-notch with shock relocate, new coils and lowering blocks.

Sounds like too much work to do the drop member.

here are some pics of how it sits now and the clearance I have now (lots). Even though my springs look pretty saggy.

Ken

***sorry for the upside down pic I will try to fix

[kitsbeach]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

Have you thought about sectioning your cross member for additional clearance

Hey Ziegelsteinfaust.. I will look into the sectioned crossmember maybe this is something I can do later when I do the motor swap.

I have a 50's traditional custom 1950 Ford Shoebox that rides real low and its too low to really rock out on the handling department. I'd like this truck to be a handling machine without hitting the ground too much. But I still want it low.!

That said on my Ford it is mainly the tall tires hitting the inner fenderwells on the front and the exhaust and who-knows-what occasionally touching the ground in the rear.

[kitsbeach]

Here is the photo again right side up....

[tinydb84]

Gorgeous truck btw. The tires are going to limit your handling abilities (as well as running the stock steering). Rob's JT and make it handle threads are a must read. Probably even before thinking about what you want to do.

How much are you willing to invest? What skill set do you have?

[kitsbeach]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Gorgeous truck btw. The tires are going to limit your handling abilities (as well as running the stock steering).

Yeah I've been enjoying the old steering but have only driven it a few days. Was tooling around today and realized four turns lock to lock is't going to work for a handling machine. Any suggestions for a new box.? Or is rack and pinion the way to go..?

[tinydb84]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=611419

If you are going rack and pinion then go with an aftermarket crossmember. The no limit kit is about a grand. Unless you can fab the mounts yourself.

[kitsbeach]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

How much are you willing to invest? What skill set do you have?

I'm not going to go crazy spending (at first anyway). But will spend what it takes to make the truck handle well.

Saw this Hotchkis set-up here and it looked like exactly what I would like to do other than I would add drop spindles and lowering blocks to get to a 5.5/8 static drop. But $5,800 seems like a bit much so I want to price things out elsewhere.

http://www.hotchkis.net/6772_c10_2wd...le_system.html

Skill wise I used to work in an engine shop and have done tons of rebuilds, engine swaps, clutches and trannies etc. I'm not that set up with tools and space and time but there are a couple good shops around that can do the stuff I can't do or don't want to do.

Here is a side pic showing how it rides now...

[kitsbeach]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=611419

If you are going rack and pinion then go with an aftermarket crossmember. The no limit kit is about a grand. Unless you can fab the mounts yourself.

The No Limit complete front kit looks pretty sweet and includes R&P steering and brakes and coilovers

http://nolimitengineering.com/produc...32&id=30703335

Then I could do a quick C-notch on the back with shock relocate and springs and I'd be ready to rip.!