Trying to achieve a comfortable ride

[Erratic67]

First and foremost, let me begin by stating that I am new to both the classic truck industry and posting threads, so bare with me. I have finally gained the courage and with the loving support of my wife, purchased a 1966 Chevy C10.

The truck is in fairly good condition and has been lowered but with my knowledge/experience in this field, have very little idea how it was achieved. It has the original frame with drum brakes, I believe the front & rear have lowering springs, the rear also has 2" lowering blocks, type of shocks are unknown. I am running with 225/70R15 on all fours and the rear fender is even with the top of the rim. The bottom of the truck is 9" from the ground and the truck is level, this is my best way of knowing how to describe how low it is. I would submit photos but have no idea how to do that.

My dilemma begins ....
The rear suspension is very soft and bouncy, looking to raise the entire truck 1" and possibly eliminate the rough ride to achieve a more modern feel, as it will be a daily driver. I've investigated quite a bit to only become more confused with the amount of options to choose from such as drop spindles, lowering springs, type shocks, etc. Any suggestions on how to accomplish this task would be greatly appreciated and trying to do this at a fairly reasonable cost, thanks.

Sincerely
Erratic67

[scuderia]

Welcome. this might help with the photos.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...+to+post+photo

[TJ's Chevy]

The bounciness could be weak shocks. Also these trucks were WAY lighter in the rear compared to the front so your going to have to live with a tad bit of bounciness. Stiffer shocks would help with the ride as well as sway bars.

[AcampoDave]

49 year old springs can be bouncy too. Especially if they were heated to lower the truck. If the springs look rusty and old, just get rid of them. New ones are cheap enough.

[61_FL_Apache]

Welcome to the forum! I would start with an account with photobucket or flickr. Both can help you with uploading picture for which you attach a link to. Its easy to do.

[AcampoDave]

Another thing that just occurred to me....some people lower these trucks by using jeep springs which they get used when jeepers raise their rigs. Jeep springs are rather soft for a pickup and the resulting ride is spongy.

[Erratic67]

Appreciate all the suggestions and help with uploading pics. Umma try changing shocks to see what improvement I gain but still don't know what size springs to get since I don't know what drop I have. Should I remove the 2" lowering blocks and get correct springs to achieve a better ride or will that not change.

[AcampoDave]

I would lose the blocks. 2 inchers are too tall for the wheels you have. They put the suspension arm too close to the ground. Should you blow a tire, the rear suspension will contact the ground. A pair of 1" would better. Also you should look up Early Classic Enterprises, CCP, and the other suspension vendors to get some catalogs and such to help you decide where to go from here.

[PGSigns]

There are a lot of threads of late in this section and in the suspension section. If you go to the top and hit search this forum and put in ride or better ride you will get a lot of info. Along with that some reading in the suspension section in the make it handle thread will get you up to speed on these old trucks. I have tried several sets of shocks and so far the belltech street performance shocks have been the best.
Jimmy

[Erratic67]

Excellent advice considering the possibility of bottoming out with 2" lowering blocks which are currently on the truck, thanks.

I'm going to purchase better shocks and install a one inch lowering block but also want to increase the front one inch also to make it level. How do I raise it and get an accurate measurement without knowing what size spring is currently on it.

[LostMy65]

Welcome.
I really like your truck.

[PGSigns]

Get some pictures of whats under it if you can. Depending on how it was lowered will determine what will work best to get it to ride better.
Jimmy

[AcampoDave]

Here's a thread wtih nothing but static drop pics along with details. So many pics here that you should be able to find something you like. Then you can simply read the descriptions an apply it to your own truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=507575

[Erratic67]

Thanks for the website showing various trucks and what was installed to achieve that look, gives me a good idea of the direction to go. After investigating a little further I found the back springs to have been cut, I suppose the front has also. If I purchase the correct height springs will that make the ride better even though they may be the same height as the ones that have been cut?

[Cape Codder]

Removing lowering blocks will not change how the truck rides only the hight. If the springs are bottoming out they need to be replaced. If there is no space between the coils they are bottoming out. Before replacing the shocks you need to know what your ride hight will be so you get shocks that will not bottom out also.

[Erratic67]

I'm a little confused about what height your referring about to ensure correct shock height and how know if it's bottoming out?
I called the auto parts store and explained that my truck had been lowered and need to correct shocks and was told their all the same, evidently he don't know either.

[AcampoDave]

The lower you go the more money it costs to do it right. As a vehichle gets lower its geometry begins to change. Shock angles become more pronounced, the panhard bar begins to exert a sideways thrust on the frame due to its flattening angle, and as mentioned above the stroke on the shocks becomes shorter. These are challenges that can be overcome but this is a good time to form a budget and a plan. I bought a complete 2x4 drop kit myself. It had springs, shocks, adjustable panhard bar, and shock relocators and my truck rides smoothly.

[Erratic67]

Here are some photos of my springs that were cut, as you stated that I should ensure spacing between springs to prevent bottoming out. Don't want to purchase springs if their going to be the same height as the cut ones and not improve anything. What is your opinion about the photos?

[Erratic67]

Here's another

[Erratic67]

One more

[AcampoDave]

Those springs look like they have been cut pretty hard. It would have been better if the p.o had converted to disc and went with drop spindles instead. Drop spindles don't have an effect on ride or shocks, but not cheap due to the need to convert to disc brakes. Those rear springs don't look like they are Chevy truck springs to me either. Too much space between coils and too few of them.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Those springs look like 5" drop springs. I have 4" drop springs in my truck and I think I have one more coil then those show or it is the same. . I just replace all of my shocks with Belltech Nitro 2 shocks. I got them at Summit. $41 each and well spent.
My truck is lowered 3" up front and 4" in the rear. It rides pretty good but you mostly feel it in the rear. I will say on smooth pavement it is really nice with the new shocks. Shocks to make a big difference.

Now that I read Dave's post those springs might be jeep springs. Seems to be a popular swap for budget.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Those front shocks are tinnie tiny. I do have drop spindles up front so I have full travel, springs and shocks.

[Erratic67]

Thanks again, based on the discussion I think I'm going to purchase drop springs & drop spindles for the front. Disc conversion, drop springs in rear, shock relocation kit and new shocks. I want to increase the height of my truck by 1", now I just have to determine what size springs/spindles I will need. Based off the picture above of my truck can anyone tell me what drop they think I may currently have?

[Chevy Fleetside]

Need a picture of the truck. Like I said mine is 3" drop spindles up front and 4" drop springs in the rear. A picture like this would help.