Why lower a truck?

[special-K]

The masses have bought into the truck thing and brought the latest trends with them. They aren't concerned with "useful",just concerned with going with a vehicle others accept as cool to put their wheels on. These trucks have been getting lowered since the '70s,but only to bring it down to a car's ride height. I am one who has since then. It's become about going overboard with it,now. Not sure where where it will go when the trendys move on to the next thing,but the rest of us'll just keep on keepin' on with the tried and true,as always.

[CastIron]

I don't mind lowered vehicles, but I don't usually do anything to mine. Some cars/trucks definitely look better a little lower than stock.
My point about value is that changing the height of a vehicle generally doesn't significantly affect the value. If lowering a pickup increased the value by more than the price of the parts/labor, I'd be all over that and buy trucks, lower them, and resell them for a quick profit. But in my experience, you lose money if you do that.
I have lowered several vehicles, mainly because I got paid to do it. (I recently lowered a 2012 Prius, lol) I have made sure to do it properly, because if something isn't right it's my name and reputation that takes a hit.

[VA72C10]

Not to beat a dead horse But aside from the dropemembered (frame laying) trucks, a simple lowering job also seems to be adding value right now. I've seen trucks that would sell for 3-5K max bring 8-11k+ with just drop spindles, springs, and a set of 20" wheels. So an approx 2K investment is raising the cost 5-6k+...(assuming you do the work yourself)

It's not everyone's style but there are people out there who like that look and are willing to pay for it...(and want it done already...they don't want to build a truck)

[oldblue1968chevy]

cause all the cool kids is doin it

[Tinkermc]

all a matter of taste, the owners. These trucks are an extension of each of us. Just like the best color. So mine was built to do 1 thing, make me happy and it does.

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

all a matter of taste, the owners. These trucks are an extension of each of us. Just like the best color. So mine was built to do 1 thing, make me happy and it does.

^^^^^^^Perfect
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[Lou Boffa]

What gets me, is that regardless of my preference one way or the other, the egineering and mechanical knowledge that this group repesents. Whether I like mine lower, raised or stock I get to see these master mechanics and hobbyists design and execute amazing ideas on a 40+ year old frame. This gives me choices and keeps me involved with my old truck!

[ChevLoRay]

I lowered mine because I wanted to. I did the ECE spindles and disc conversion. I'm a hot rodder at heart and lowering it was part of what I wanted to do to make it look the way I want.

So, when my son bought the '96 GMC SWB I'm now driving, it also got lowered. Add a little rubber rake and the stance is what it's all about.

A trend now is to use these 67-72's for autocrossing. That take lowering to a completely different plane. A recent issue of Classic Trucks featured one that actually bested some genuine musclecars that were also set up to autocross.

It's a matter of how YOU intend to use YOUR vehicle. I think we're all grown-up enough to respect good workmanship, even if the finished product is not what we would do if it was ours.

[see ten]

Just because...

And you can still use em.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=579065

[c10srule]

ive done alignments for over 10 years and i can tell you my truck is lowered 3" in the front and 5" in the rear for the hot rod stance and it handles better than it did when it was set up the original height and i had now issues whatsoever getting the alignment back into spec, the new spec for radial tires, you also have to change the alignment specs from oe for radial tires or your old truck wont handle near as well, i also build and sell these old trucks and i get more out of them when their lowered and modified than when they are all stock, everyone has their own preferences and thats what makes this hobby so great, not the ones who are so hard pressed and opinionated about what their beliefs are and are negative towards others for the way they build their own projects

[Square_78]

I didn't buy my truck to use as a truck. Now that these 67-72's are getting older, less and less people will be using them as "trucks" and more for hotrods or cruising. I have a 78 c10 that I use as a truck for hauling dirt bikes and junk and building materials. It is still lowered 5" in front and 8" in the rear and it still functions fine as a work horse. I guess if you really have to ask why people lower trucks, then you'll never truly understand.
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[50bomb]

Beating a dead horse.

[GASoline71]

Lowered, lifted... whatever... if a truck is nicely done it's gonna bring some more cash. Just because a rusted hulk is lowered or lifted don't mean it will bring more bucks.

If you like stock... bone stock... That necisarily won't bring more money either. To toss another wrench in the mix... is when cats say they have a "numbers matching" truck. That brings no extra value in a mass produced vehcile that didn't have special high performance esuspensions or engines. Like these old trucks.

Gary

Gary

[Cape Codder]

I am also new to this site and am finding the lowered trucks kind of drawing me into doing mine. I had no intention of lowering my truck when I bought it 3 weeks ago. I have replaced an S-10 with a C1500 and find the rear is to high to tow one of my trailors, I have three trailors that I tow a lot. I am planning to install the drop shackles for now as I don't want to get into cutting my frame for notches even though I have cutting and welding tools. Then I will want to go for the drop spindles to get my rake back. kind of a pattern developes. I think the bagged on the frame trucks look a little cartoonish but admire the work,skill and commitment to do it. To each his own, Now don't get me started on the trend to keep the natural patina. As a body man that just looks like to lazy to finish the job.

[Orange67]

I totally admire anyone that puts blood sweat and tears into their ride, no matter if it's stock, trimming tree branches or throwin' sparks. Mine, will be kept 8 lug, and I'm going for a 3/5 drop, if I go lower, that'll work too, my 04 Duramax has 15,000 pound over-load bags so I KNOW a lowered bagged truck will still haul. BTW, that autocrossing '72 is SICK!!! I believe it was briefly in Popular Hot Rodding also.

[67swb72klb]

why lower a truck / why lift a truck
because u can!!!

[special-K]

Originally Posted by CastIron

I'm new to this forum, and one thing I've noticed is the abundance of lowered pickups with huge wheels. What are the reasons people have for doing this? It seems to me that a pickup would be much more useful and comfortable to drive if it was at a normal height.

My question would be why do so many "only" like a lowered truck?

[Cape Codder]

My low dog likes low trucks too



He can't get in a lifted truck

[Lou Boffa]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

My low dog likes low trucks too



He can't get in a lifted truck

Nice boat!

[srvivor71]

It's all just a matter of taste. Like this...

[special-K]

To get to the other side.

Oh Wait! That was the chicken crossing the street thing