Newbie needs low budget lowering advice

[dennisr]

I hope to get an air bag suspension in the future, but the funds are not currently available. Seeing all the lowered truck on this forum has made me feel like mine is a 4X4. Being a total newbie to modifying suspension, could some one advise me as to how much I can lower my truck by cutting the springs? This truck drives like a dream so while I don't mind if it stiffens up a bit, I wont do it if it will have a huge effect on handling and safety. Or if there is any other way to go about it please let me know. I'm tried of getting nose bleeds while driving.

P.S. While the truck is a 69, the front and rear suspension are from a 72.

Thank,
Dennis

[70c10]

Welcome from Maryland. I would not cut the springs on any truck especially a nice one like yours. You should check with some of the board vendors to see what they have to offer. Alot of people here will probably recommend Early Classic Enterprises. I know Church is a direct vendor thru them and will be cheaper if you buy their kit thru him. Good luck!!!

[BUXMAN66]

much cheaper to go w/ a set of lowered springs instead.$119 a set,2,3,4"coil drops can't beat it.actually,was looking in a truckin' magazine and seen 2.5"drop coil springs for $69,through AIM INDUSTRIES.COM

[wnc mountain]

For the front go with lowering springs, if you cut your you will not be happy. for the rear you can either go with the lowering springs or lowering blocks. The blocks are only 20 bucks though you can only 2-3 inches with the blocks though.

[1971Stepside]

For the rear you could go with blocks between the axle and the trailering arms. You could have them fabbed up by a local machine shop or most vendors have them. You would only need longer u-bolts. I would not cut your front springs either.

[dennisr]

Is it that simple as changing the coils? I was looking at the aim website and I can buy 3" drop front and 4" drop rears for about $70.00 each. I'd like to use theblocks on the rear but I don't know if I could safely get 4 inches. Will this amount cause any problems for me? Do I have to change shocks? Is there anything else I have to do besides maybe an alighnment?

Thanks for all your help guys,
Dennis

[72step]

I have some 2" Drop springs from Classic Performance I will be removing from my truck because it is too low for me because I also have the drop spindles. I will be selling them if interested...........

[Gene]

There are many different ways to lower your front. I cut a coil off the front and have noticed NO difference in ride. I used blocks and longer U-bolts in the back.

69 dollars is not alot to pay for drop springs though, I have lowered many trucks by cutting the coils. It is an ok way of doing it as long as you dont get carried away.

[wnc mountain]

I would say on the blocks that 2 inches is commom 3 is a stretch 4 I personally would not recommend. if you want 4 go with the springs.

[crazy longhorn]

I have done a cut coil on front also, & while I wouldnt reccomend it.....it hasnt caused any problems. If you do cut them, you may as well cut 1 full ring so they seat properly on both ends,& can figure about a 2 1/2-3" drop. with that said, 2" on the spring is about max if you want to keep front geometry as it should be. On the rear, check out the susp board on blocks.... I thought 2 1 /2" would be ok, but there are pics with one on a 2 " block, & its very close to "scrub lines" on a 15" wheel! be carefull here, as if you blow a tire, you dont want suspension parts throwing sparks on the pavement. I agree with Gene on the cut coils as far as ride.....anybody that has rode in my longhorn has had the same comment........."man this truck rides pretty smooth"! If anything, it feels a little soft to me, but Im used to 3/4 ton suspension. Good luck......crazyL

[pat]

Could anyone explain how they made their lowering blocks? Specs and measurements would be nice and exactly how to install them and all that. I would like to make me a set. They seem like an easy, cheap way to lower a little. Dont mean to change the thread. Thanks for any help

[Desert Rat]

My 62 i cut 2 coils from the fron and back sits lower,now lower with a big block since in.Ive only drove it a few times,looks alot better.could be el cheapo and easy and crawl under with a torch and do old school way and heat them suckers up,and watch the truck fall.but really with a nice truck $200 on drop coils isnt much,and the back if you cut you will need to rebend the ends.or the guys around here put 13x7 Daytons on their trucks so they can have elcheapo lowriders.

[Shane]

if anyone needs lowering blocks ... email me ... i may be able to help you out.

[Suicide-D]

The PO did that to mine. Destroyed the ride...thing is a marshmellow at high speed after hitting any kind of deviation in the road surface... spend the money and do it right. I will do it correctly when I do the frame off but for now I suffer.

[jim71chevy]

Does any body make a 4 inch front drop spring or do you have to go 2 in and 2 inch spindels ?

[wingnut]

I haven't seen a 4" drop spring, but I have seen 3".

www.truckandcarshop.com

[SWINGSAX68]

What is the least amount of drop that can be acheived with blocks. I just want to let the wheels take up some of the space in the rear fenders. I like the rake....Don't wanna level it out. Would heavy duty coil-shocks or whatever make a difference in the ride height of the rear??? I seem to remember that my parts truck rode lower in the back and it had the same wheels which I switched to my keeper. The parts truck had regular shocks.

[jmil1974]

Just save the money and do it right - 2.5" Drop Spindles for the front (stock shocks OK) and 4" drop springs for the rear (stock shocks should be ok here too). This way you maintain proper ride and geometry. Will be less than $400 out the door for quality pieces.

To go 4/6 you need to add 1.5" drop springs to the front and I think this requires shorter shocks or different mounts. Rear 6" drop springs require shocks too.

If you have to go budget, I'd do drop springs on the front and blocks on the rear which should get you out for about $100 if you go 2/3.

DON'T cut springs, especially old ones, though you can get away with half a coil with newish ones but NEVER heat them to lower.

Do it once, do it right. Good luck.

SWINGSAX, I have 3/4 ton springs on the rear of mine. They look to be the same height as stock ones, they just haven't sagged much, if any, in the last 15-20 years. Front ones have just a tad.