Best way to lower, and how much?

[CARR33]

I just purchased my first pickup, a restored 67 swb fleetside. I've read so much about lowering i'm now totally confused. I'm going with a complete cpp kit for the rear, but i've heard the half ton springs are mushy. Should i specify 3/4 ton springs and how short?
The front is getting 2" lower spindles, again what springs. I've seen some guys going down the road and they are so erratic it looks like they have square tires. Lots of short choppy bouncing.
I can take some harshness, but these trucks go too far.

[Sublvr72]

should ask this question in the pickup section, not the suburban section. But I've never had any problems with 1/2 ton lowering springs, my guess is whoever you see bouncing like they have square tires probably needs new shocks.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by CARR33

I just purchased my first pickup, a restored 67 swb fleetside. I've read so much about lowering i'm now totally confused. I'm going with a complete cpp kit for the rear, but i've heard the half ton springs are mushy. Should i specify 3/4 ton springs and how short?
The front is getting 2" lower spindles, again what springs. I've seen some guys going down the road and they are so erratic it looks like they have square tires. Lots of short choppy bouncing.
I can take some harshness, but these trucks go too far.

Get 1/2 ton drop springs designed for these trucks.
Not jeep springs, not chevelle springs. (I know people have done this, and this is my opinion)
Companies like ECE, CPP, McGaughy's, Belltech, Western Chassis, etc., have been doing this for along time.
Most people get just "part" of the drop. Instead of the entire drop components.

For the front,... get the correct drop springs, drop spindles, and drop shocks.
Also add a sway bar if you don't have one.
Remove any bumpstops on the lower a-arms that might make your truck ride rough. (due to contact with the crossmember)

For the rear,... get the correct drop springs, and drop shocks.
You also need to buy shock relocators and some type of adjustable panhard bar.
Also remove or shorten the factory rear bumpstops.

Check your exhaust for clearance after lowering. Brake lines too. They may need to be tweaked just a little.
Wheels and tires are also something to look at. Do you have clearance after lowering.

You can easily have a 4/6 drop truck and drive it everyday. Comfortably!

It's just more than drop springs.

Ask all the questions you want. Tons of members willing to help.

And,... if you want,... I can get this moved to the "suspension section",... where more people will see it.

[capev86]

depends on what you plan to use the truck for. 1/2 ton springs just plain sag like crap when you actually haul heavy loads and you end up with that dragging back end. also, keep a slight rake to the truck....it looks sooo much better than completely level. i personally like the mild sport truck look like the old chevy ss style or what was popular a few years back before the low rider became the rage across the board. trucks dropped 2 or 3 inches with the tail up and the nose down for that aggressive look......simple bolt in lowering springs, a nice paint job, and shiny rims with performance rubber.....looks fast instead of broken.

[CARR33]

I really appreciate the help. I'm 63 years old, got ny first car at 13, destroyed that one and the next two, but i learned a lot. I've never owned a vehicle that i left stock and never will. This is my first truck and i'm really excited. Anyone who wants to move this around to another section is welcome to do it, my thanks in advance

[N2TRUX]

Welcome to the forum CARR33. We are alawys glad to have new members here. Take a look at what lolife99 has advised. This should get you going in the right direction.

Post pics when you can...

[lolife99]

Look at ECE's website.
(they are my choice for 63-72 truck suspension parts)

They have a section called, "stance photos".
They show pictures with trucks with different levels of drop products.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/tech.asp...nce%20Photos-2
Give Stan a call,... he'll fix you up.

Also,... WELCOME to the board.

[CARR33]

Thanks to lolife99 i now know exactly how much i want to lower my truck. That was an excellant site he referred me to for the different views of a truck from stock stance to way low. I'm going to go for 2 1/2 inch lowered in the front, and 4 inch in the rear, but because i'm going with a 30-31 inch tall tire in the rear i may have to throw in the lowering blocks for an additional 2 inches. I'll see how it looks first. What an outstanding site this is.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by CARR33

I've seen some guys going down the road and they are so erratic it looks like they have square tires. Lots of short choppy bouncing.
I can take some harshness, but these trucks go too far.

That is probably somone who has lower too far w/o taking bumpstops into account. They are just bouncing on the tires because the truck is resting on the bumpstops or at least very close to them.....and yes, the ride is terrible like that.