Lowering with springs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Estanley · 05-28-2002, 03:26 PM

I am planning a 3/4 drop using just drop springs. I have been told to use a set of front shocks on the back(because they are shorter) and shock shocks would be OK on the front. Will I have any front end issues: alignment, camber, sway bar??? What about in the rear? Can I use the stock panhard bar?

Low69CST · 05-28-2002, 04:09 PM

Yeah, your gonna have alignment issues. Since the new front springs are shorter, your suspension is gonna rotate some, changing your static camber and toe. (static is when your running straight down the road with no suspension travel) If you drop your truck a large amount with springs then you might have a problem known as bump steer or you may not be able to get your camber to the right angle at all. If you ever go to any shows with lots of lowered trucks you'll see this alot.

The back also depends on the amount you drop your truck. If its just 2 or 3 inches, go ahead and put the springs in. Then compare each tire to the bedside. If one is way more out than the other, or your truck drives funny then put an adjustable panhard bar in. If your going to drop yoru truck 5 or 6 in the back, then go ahead and get an extended pan hard rod.

As far as shocks, stiffer shocks would be nice because you have less travel to play with. But you could try your shocks and if your truck sways too much, or bottoms out on them then change them. Also, keep in mind that if you lower the rear 5 or 6 you need to watch your shock angles. Early classic has some shock relocator that will straighten your shocks back up and make them work better.

Also Early classic has drop spindles that will let you put C-10 rotors on for. Using spindles on the front rather than springs will make your truck ride and handle much better.

72chevyLWB · 05-28-2002, 07:23 PM

If you do 3" drop springs up front you will need longer bolts in your upper A-arm to get the alignment perfect (trust me it sucks

) I would recomment drop spindles.

paintpyro · 05-28-2002, 07:29 PM

How does the length of the bolts affect the alignment?

72chevyLWB · 05-28-2002, 07:53 PM

The bolts arent long enough to allow enough shims in between the a-arm and the frame to get the alignment. You will never get the alignment right with 3" springs with factory bolts in there. I'm not sure if 3/4 tons have longer ones or not.

superchevy · 05-28-2002, 08:33 PM

Save yourself some headaches and get drop spindles.
SC

72chevyLWB · 05-28-2002, 09:11 PM

I second that and so do my skinned nuckles

**Tim Christian** · 05-28-2002, 09:43 PM

Hey Guys you can do a 3/4 spring drop if you are on a budget I did it on my daily driver used the stock shocks that was on it and never touched the aligment been about a year and the tires are still wearing perfect I agree drop spindles are better that is what I put on my ground up but sometimes a truck nut has do what a truck has to do!

05-28-2002, 03:26 PM	#1
Estanley Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Eatonton, GA, USA Posts: 191	Lowering with springs? I am planning a 3/4 drop using just drop springs. I have been told to use a set of front shocks on the back(because they are shorter) and shock shocks would be OK on the front. Will I have any front end issues: alignment, camber, sway bar??? What about in the rear? Can I use the stock panhard bar?

05-28-2002, 04:09 PM	#2
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	Yeah, your gonna have alignment issues. Since the new front springs are shorter, your suspension is gonna rotate some, changing your static camber and toe. (static is when your running straight down the road with no suspension travel) If you drop your truck a large amount with springs then you might have a problem known as bump steer or you may not be able to get your camber to the right angle at all. If you ever go to any shows with lots of lowered trucks you'll see this alot. The back also depends on the amount you drop your truck. If its just 2 or 3 inches, go ahead and put the springs in. Then compare each tire to the bedside. If one is way more out than the other, or your truck drives funny then put an adjustable panhard bar in. If your going to drop yoru truck 5 or 6 in the back, then go ahead and get an extended pan hard rod. As far as shocks, stiffer shocks would be nice because you have less travel to play with. But you could try your shocks and if your truck sways too much, or bottoms out on them then change them. Also, keep in mind that if you lower the rear 5 or 6 you need to watch your shock angles. Early classic has some shock relocator that will straighten your shocks back up and make them work better. Also Early classic has drop spindles that will let you put C-10 rotors on for. Using spindles on the front rather than springs will make your truck ride and handle much better. __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

05-28-2002, 07:23 PM	#3
72chevyLWB Got 20's???? Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Aberdeen SD Posts: 1,451	If you do 3" drop springs up front you will need longer bolts in your upper A-arm to get the alignment perfect (trust me it sucks ) I would recomment drop spindles. __________________ 99 Silverado Ex-Cab 2wd, Bagged&WhippleCharged 02 Sierra Ex-Cab 4wd 2500 HD The 72 went down the road.

05-28-2002, 07:29 PM	#4
paintpyro Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA,USA Posts: 1,579	How does the length of the bolts affect the alignment? __________________ 70 shortbed stepside "Schleprock" 350 w/TH400 rallys and BFGs -We can rebuild it, we have the technology-lower,shinier,faster

05-28-2002, 07:53 PM	#5
72chevyLWB Got 20's???? Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Aberdeen SD Posts: 1,451	The bolts arent long enough to allow enough shims in between the a-arm and the frame to get the alignment. You will never get the alignment right with 3" springs with factory bolts in there. I'm not sure if 3/4 tons have longer ones or not. __________________ 99 Silverado Ex-Cab 2wd, Bagged&WhippleCharged 02 Sierra Ex-Cab 4wd 2500 HD The 72 went down the road.

05-28-2002, 08:33 PM	#6
superchevy Got big-block? Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,453	Save yourself some headaches and get drop spindles. SC __________________ '68 CST SWB factory 396/T400 buddy buckets, a/c, ps, pb '72 Corvette convertible 454/4spd/ac, ps, pb '73 GMC Sierra Grande short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '77 K5 Blazer black on red, 350/T350/NP205 ps, pb, ac all original '78 GMC Sierra Classic short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '72 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 38 built. '73 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 71 built. '75 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 25 built. SOLD! '72 GMC K25 4x4 468/4L80e/NP205 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23#post4324423 SOLD!'55 Chevy gasser 496/4spd build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post4324396

05-28-2002, 09:11 PM	#7
72chevyLWB Got 20's???? Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Aberdeen SD Posts: 1,451	I second that and so do my skinned nuckles __________________ 99 Silverado Ex-Cab 2wd, Bagged&WhippleCharged 02 Sierra Ex-Cab 4wd 2500 HD The 72 went down the road.

05-28-2002, 09:43 PM	#8
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Hey Guys you can do a 3/4 spring drop if you are on a budget I did it on my daily driver used the stock shocks that was on it and never touched the aligment been about a year and the tires are still wearing perfect I agree drop spindles are better that is what I put on my ground up but sometimes a truck nut has do what a truck has to do! Attached Images

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