81 1/2 ton- lowering front 6" too much?

[Richs'55]

Before everyone thinks I am in the wrong forum, my question is about my '81 short box 1/2 ton frame with stock (for now) suspension.

Have the 81 frame all cleaned up and painted, remounted the '55 cab and box. I know I don't have all the fenders, bumper, hood, doors and front end parts back in place, which will lower it a little more, but I would like to get another 6 inches out of the front end and 7 or so out of the back.
Back is going to be easy (flip, c-cut, and new lowering springs & shackles).

The front is where I am concerned. Has anybody done a 6' lower on the front? What combination did you use? Drop spindles limited to 2 1/2" or is there some more than that? Saw a 4" lowering spring but that sounds real drastic and would be concerned about the ride.

Here's a pic of my mock up and right now have 6" from top of tire to fender in front and have 7' from top of tire to fender in the back. I want the tires just up into the fender about an inch in the front.

[Slammed84]

If you dont wanna use drop springs then you're probably a good candidate for new control arms. As far as I know there is only three ways to drop the front. Spindles, springs, and control arms. They get pricey too. Belltech has 3" spindles but that doesnt help much. Dont forget, if you keep your stock lower control arm, you might have to trim the rain gutters back to allow clearance of the rim to fully turn left to right without rubbing.

[bbbc10]

they have spindles in 2", 2.5" and 3" and drop springs from 1" to 3" drop springs....I wouldn't do more than 5" drop in the front and also I wouldn't do drop control arms.

[greg64]

I'm not sure about the integrity of the dropped control arms. I can't help but think I've seen a truck where the front crossmember was raised, relative to the framerails. Since you're running an odd combo anyway, what about moving the body mounts lower (you'd probably need to move them anyway)? Working towards channeling the body over the frame?

[badchevy]

I lowered my '82 by heating the front springs to give it a 3 or so inch drop. I ran this setup for a couple of years then installed 3" drop Belltech spindles for a total of 6 or so inches up front. I run a 245/60/15 with a 8" wide rim up front. I did trim the lower control arm to gain some turning radius. I have had this setup for a couple of years with no problems. Here is a pic of it.

[Slammed84]

Originally Posted by badchevy

I lowered my '82 by heating the front springs to give it a 3 or so inch drop. I ran this setup for a couple of years then installed 3" drop Belltech spindles for a total of 6 or so inches up front. I run a 245/60/15 with a 8" wide rim up front. I did trim the lower control arm to gain some turning radius. I have had this setup for a couple of years with no problems. Here is a pic of it.

You greedy bastard! Two squares!

[Richs'55]

Originally Posted by Slammed84

If you dont wanna use drop springs then you're probably a good candidate for new control arms. As far as I know there is only three ways to drop the front. Spindles, springs, and control arms. They get pricey too. Belltech has 3" spindles but that doesnt help much. Dont forget, if you keep your stock lower control arm, you might have to trim the rain gutters back to allow clearance of the rim to fully turn left to right without rubbing.

I have no objection to drop springs. Actually that was my first thought of drop springs and drop spindles. But with just those two options, I didn't see where I would get to 6". More closer to 5", which just may have to be enough. And not fond of changing out the control arms but might have to be an option.

So with those three options, would it be better to do a bit of all three, or drop spindles and control arms, to get the best ride performance?

[Slammed84]

I wouldn't mess with control arms. If I was going 6", I would get 3" spindles and springs. 6" is alot though man. My truck has 2.5" spindles, and one coil cut off factory spring, and it is pretty low. Fender rides right on top of tire, no gap. The back is a simple flip kit and it actually eats some tire.
Someone mentioned getting the body to suck down on the frame more. Since its just mocked up right now maybe its not too late to look into that.
Every truck is a bit different, but for a driver I wouldnt go too extreme. Especially on crap roads like what im used too

[Richs'55]

Originally Posted by Slammed84

I wouldn't mess with control arms. If I was going 6", I would get 3" spindles and springs. 6" is alot though man. My truck has 2.5" spindles, and one coil cut off factory spring, and it is pretty low. Fender rides right on top of tire, no gap. The back is a simple flip kit and it actually eats some tire.
Someone mentioned getting the body to suck down on the frame more. Since its just mocked up right now maybe its not too late to look into that.
Every truck is a bit different, but for a driver I wouldnt go too extreme. Especially on crap roads like what im used too

Crap roads - I hear ya there. None worse than here in Iowa.
Don't want to channel the cab, as with he '55 cab it only sits 3/4" above the frame and that would mean really changing the floor from about the gas pedal back to under the seat.
I think I will start with loading all the body parts (fenders, radiator, grill, doors) back on the truck and see if that brings it down an inch. Then the 3" drop spindles and the 3" coils will be enough.

Thanks for everybody's input.

[superwade57]

6/8 is low for sure but totally do able. I used 3 inch bell tech drop spindles and cut 1.5 coils on front springs. 1 round coil will give you about 2"drop

[UKNOWME]

Just bag it!

[badchevy]

Originally Posted by Slammed84

You greedy bastard! Two squares!

Now I just need to add a stepside to the pair and I'll be good.

[bdiamond]

If I were going to the trouble of fabbing a different frame under that body I don't think I'd use 6" worth of spindles and springs and definitely not arms. The control arm bushings would be about 2" off the ground. That is the down side to our front ends. Would a Z or pancaked cross member be out of the question?

[gasmn1620]

I have 3" djm spindles, 3" djm springs in the front running 22x9.5 265/35/22 and I have about an inch of clearance between the tires and the inner fender structures.... not the inner fender wells... they are gone. I'm basically riding on my bump stops though. It's a little stiff right now but it keeps the fenders off my tires until I chop/cut/rebuild the inner fender structures. used the 5" flip bracket from specialtyretail in the forsale section. Gotta lower the back another inch or so though.

before



after

[Richs'55]

Originally Posted by bdiamond

If I were going to the trouble of fabbing a different frame under that body I don't think I'd use 6" worth of spindles and springs and definitely not arms. The control arm bushings would be about 2" off the ground. That is the down side to our front ends. Would a Z or pancaked cross member be out of the question?

Unfamiliar as to what these are and what they would do? Ride quality? Clearence issues -truck to ground? That is what I am asking for. More info then "just do this" or 'do that".
And as far as "fabbing" a new frame, it really isn't any different than just moving a few body mounts, which is already done. Same frame as factory (1981) except for 4 body mounts moved to outside frame instead of inside of frame.

[ddr11]

This is my Set-Up 2.5 Bell Tec Dropped spindles with an 11" Afco 1000# dirt track spring and an Afco Coil Spring ride height adjuster. The adjuster seats on top of the coil and you can adjust it up or down by turning the threaded collar. I have mine lowered 6" with 18'' front wheels

[Richs'55]

Originally Posted by ddr11

This is my Set-Up 2.5 Bell Tec Dropped spindles with an 11" Afco 1000# dirt track spring and an Afco Coil Spring ride height adjuster. The adjuster seats on top of the coil and you can adjust it up or down by turning the threaded collar. I have mine lowered 6" with 18'' front wheels

How is the ride with the Circletrack springs. I will be using the truck as a cruiser on the weekends but am looking for a "daily driver' type ride.

[ddr11]

Any time you lower a vehicle you sacrifice some ride quality... but for what you and I are doing it is a good ride, I drive my truck to car shows all over the southeast and to work about once a week weather permitting. You still have to be aware that you are in a lowered truck when encountering railroad tracks and large dips or pot holes though.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by ddr11

Any time you lower a vehicle you sacrifice some ride quality...

I don't know if I agree with that, if done properly.
Drop spindles don't make any difference on ride quality.
Drop control arms serve the same purpose as drop spindles so should be the same ride quality.
3" springs may affect it some, but since they are designed as 3" springs they should function nearly the same as a standard spring.
Never driven or ridden in a bagged truck, but from what I hear they ride better than stock?