Small drops on 3/4 - 1 tons?

[w00dst0ck]

Wanting to do a small drop on my 3+3. The only threads I'm finding are 5/7-6/8 etc.

Anyone have a smaller drop with some insight on how it rides? Also whats a decent setup to go with?

I don't want to have to cut the bed, remove inner fenders or c notch the frame.

[mongocanfly]

yep...I looked into dropping my c30 once but I didn't want to much...all the stuff I found is like you described. ..the easiest way to do a small drop would be start cutting coils on the front and pulling leaves out back...and best of all its free..except for your labor...
I think the smallest drop spindle I could find was 3"...I was looking for 2" drop

[w00dst0ck]

Yeah. I was honestly looking for a 2.5. My c30 has a 12v cummins, so the front end is already somewhat low.

I don't really want to cut springs or pull leafs.

I'm thinking of just doing the 3" drop spindles and Western Chassis makes a 4" drop leaf pack, I'm just wondering if their leafs are still stiff enough to haul with.

I already have both bagged and static dropped trucks, and I really want to keep the nice smooth ride that this one has for a DD.

[DieselSJ]

Look over in the suspension forums. One of the vendors has a heavy duty link kit for the rear that uses airbags and you can install it to run at stock height. I'm going to do this to my dually as soon as I get a couple other projects cleared out.

Here - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=669016

[daddyjeep]

Originally Posted by DieselSJ

Look over in the suspension forums. One of the vendors has a heavy duty link kit for the rear that uses airbags and you can install it to run at stock height. I'm going to do this to my dually as soon as I get a couple other projects cleared out.

Here - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=669016

That is what I was going to suggest. Some day I would like to run air ride all the way around on my K30 just for the ride quality.

[kwmech]

A lowered 3+3 in Texas? is that legal?

[w00dst0ck]

Originally Posted by DieselSJ

Look over in the suspension forums. One of the vendors has a heavy duty link kit for the rear that uses airbags and you can install it to run at stock height. I'm going to do this to my dually as soon as I get a couple other projects cleared out.

Here - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=669016

I really don't want another bagged truck at the moment. Plus, that kit looks like $3-4k

There has to be a relatively inexpensive and good setup for around ~800-1k

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by w00dst0ck

I really don't want another bagged truck at the moment. Plus, that kit looks like $3-4k

There has to be a relatively inexpensive and good setup for around ~800-1k

Looks like $3-4K, but it is not. It is $1500.

http://www.ridetech.com/products/uni...es_hash=15-553

[Super_Dave]

Western Chassis 2.5" Drop Spindles for C20. . . $399 (have seen them for less.)
https://www.performanceonline.com/71...e-2-half-inch/

Add some lowering shackles in the back. . . you have a package for around $500.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by kwmech

A lowered 3+3 in Texas? is that legal?

Yes.....

[w00dst0ck]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Yes.....

Details on your setup and how it rides?

[w00dst0ck]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave

Western Chassis 2.5" Drop Spindles for C20. . . $399 (have seen them for less.)
https://www.performanceonline.com/71...e-2-half-inch/

Add some lowering shackles in the back. . . you have a package for around $500.

c20/30's share the same balljoints and tie rod ends?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by w00dst0ck

Details on your setup and how it rides?

Front:
3" drop spindles (Western Chassis)
Ride-Tech 'Cool Ride' w/Firestone F7325/26c 3400# 8.5"dia DBL Conv bags
Bilstein C30 replacement mono-tube gas shocks w/relocated upper mount
Porterbuilt lower 1" forward a-arms
PB 1.25" sway bar
235-70-16 LT Michelins

Rear:
Modified Ride Tech HD 4-bar (early bolt-on kit that I tweaked for desired ride height)
PB step notch (for full rail height/strength vs c-notching)
Owner built Panhard bar rear end mount (allowed the longest bar possible)
Bilstein replacement C30 rear shocks
235-85-16 Michelins (correct load rated tires)
Raised bed floor for OE appearance @ a glance

Ride/drives like a 1/2 ton sport truck (-.5 camber; 6.5/6.7° caster @ ride height). Replacing the HD rear leafs w/the 4-bar & bags yields the best ride quality & also allows easy height adjustment depending on the load. I originally just cut a coil off the OE HD BBC front coils (which yielded the same ride height that I targeted w/the front bags). I merely swapped to the bags because I wanted to.

I'll do my 99 CCSWB 3/4 ton similarly. I'll do drop spindles & trim the front coils up front; ditch the rear leafs for a bar/bag set-up, & run LT fronts/load rated rear tires to improve ride quality (it rides horrible/as bad as the dually did in OE form).

[w00dst0ck]

Thanks, I've got a '65 with full PB and bags. Doesn't ride nearly as good as I was hoping when I built it. It's on 35 series tires though, so you feel every grain of sand on the road.

I actually don't mind the leaf rear ends. I've owned everything from traverse leaf spring model a rat rods to new CTSV's and this truck rides closer to the top of that spectrum (the tall balloon tires really help)

Just not sold on a 4 link or bags yet for this build. And the front end is already pretty low. I need to measure it later this evening. I imagine some drop spindles (which would force me to buy bigger wheels) and a shackle + drop hanger might get me where I want while still maintaining the ride.

I have found a 2.5" c20 spindle, is that the same balljoints/tie rods as the c30? I would be a lot more comfortable with that drop due to the front end being heavy and low already.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by w00dst0ck

Thanks, I've got a '65 with full PB and bags. Doesn't ride nearly as good as I was hoping when I built it. It's on 35 series tires though, so you feel every grain of sand on the road.

I actually don't mind the leaf rear ends. I've owned everything from traverse leaf spring model a rat rods to new CTSV's and this truck rides closer to the top of that spectrum (the tall balloon tires really help)

Just not sold on a 4 link or bags yet for this build. And the front end is already pretty low. I need to measure it later this evening. I imagine some drop spindles (which would force me to buy bigger wheels) and a shackle + drop hanger might get me where I want while still maintaining the ride.

I have found a 2.5" c20 spindle, is that the same balljoints/tie rods as the c30? I would be a lot more comfortable with that drop due to the front end being heavy and low already.

Still running OE steel 16's w/my drop spindles.
I never came across a 2.5" drop spindle for a HD 20/30 series when I looked for mine. Western & Bell Tech only had a 3" version. Who is the manufacturer?

[w00dst0ck]

It's linked near the top. POL. Not sure who actually makes them though.

https://www.performanceonline.com/71...e-2-half-inch/

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Yes.....

That was kind of a tounge-in-cheek question

[mongocanfly]

^^^yep^^^...I laughed when I saw you asked that....

[w00dst0ck]

Just noticed that the 3/4 ton and 1 ton spindles are different, so that 2.5" probably wouldn't work. I still need to measure, just worried that 3" with this heavy motor is going to be too much.

[SCOTI]

3

Originally Posted by w00dst0ck

Just noticed that the 3/4 ton and 1 ton spindles are different, so that 2.5" probably wouldn't work. I still need to measure, just worried that 3" with this heavy motor is going to be too much.

I'll do more research but never saw different spindles for the 20/30. BJ are the same. Don't know about tie rods though.

[w00dst0ck]

http://www.bcfab.com/McGaughys-254-L...les_p_882.html

Found this. 2.5/4 drop.

Did the c30's come with both 1" and 1.25" rotors. It's asking if it's an HD or LD.

[wahl4m]

that kit is neat -probably do it on my 39 international school bus ! would rather have a air kit for better ride ?? BUT ?? the kit is priced right !!if anybody has installed one ?please post some info on it !! thanks mike

[Matt Man]

This was my 86 dually, had western chassis 3" drop spindles in the front and some leafs springs removed in the back and drop shackles which was about a 4" drop. So 3/4 drop.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by w00dst0ck

http://www.bcfab.com/McGaughys-254-L...les_p_882.html

Found this. 2.5/4 drop.

Did the c30's come with both 1" and 1.25" rotors. It's asking if it's an HD or LD.

3/4 ton 88-98 OBS style trucks came in 2 versions (LD=6-lug; HD=8-lug).
1-ton trucks are all HD 8-lug set-ups.

The spindles shown in that ad are for '99 & later style trucks (exceptions are the 3/4 & 1-ton CC's since they remained OBS).

These are the 'kits' for square body trucks:


https://westernchassisinc.com/1973-9...-Front-5-Rear/
https://westernchassisinc.com/1973-9...-Front-5-Rear/
https://westernchassisinc.com/1973-9...-Front-7-Rear/

[SCOTI]

Well, the web site add when you copy/paste it is not correct.

They offer 2/4; 3/5; 5/7; & 6/8 drops for square body trucks. The 2/4 would be using front drop springs. The 3/5 through 6/8 utilize their spindles which are 3" drop or the spindles & a drop spring combo.