Lowest static drop for towing?

[fishmunger]

Hey guys, I have my 64 short fleet lowered 4 up front and 5 out back right now. I'm using it tow my boat ~350 lbs tongue weight. I've c-notched it and relocated the shocks, it works really good. I was wondering if anyone thinks 7" rear drop will still work? I don't want bags, it's my DD and I don't have the money anyway, I don't want to run bags with schrader valves either. So would 5" springs and 2" blocks be ok, or would I be better off to stick with what I got now (3" springs, 2" blocks)?

thanks,

Nate

[N2TRUX]

Why not use helper bags and have the best of both worlds?

[fishmunger]

i really dont want any bags on my truck. i want to either drop it some more with springs, or leave it as it is. i was just wondering if anyone here has towed with a 7" drop...

Nate

[SCOTI]

I don't think I've seen anyone on here that is that low w/a static drop & still tows a trailer. My truck is that low, but I switched to bags just to be able to level the truck back out once a loaded trailer was hooked to the tail end.

[smbrouss70]

I have a 8" drop on the rear (6" coils and 2" blocks.) I haven't towed anything real heavy, but with a small utility trailer holding a bare cab I was bottoming out on my bolt-in c-notch quite a bit. It was enough to cause me to decide that the next time I tow ANYTHING with it, I will have bags in the rear.

Hope that helps with your decision.

[see ten]

If you're looking at changing springs why not split the difference and go with a 6" drop coil and ditch the blocks? I would think with the bolt in notch you wouldn't ever have a problem but I have no experience with towing in these trucks after a drop. You could call ECE and talk to a tech, they might be of some help.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by see ten

If you're looking at changing springs why not split the difference and go with a 6" drop coil and ditch the blocks? .....

That would create more trouble if he wants to tow. Those 6" springs would never work under a load.

The reality of it is your going to have a hard time towing with that much drop unless you reconsider your position on options.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by fishmunger

Hey guys, I have my 64 short fleet lowered 4 up front and 5 out back right now. I'm using it tow my boat ~350 lbs tongue weight. I've c-notched it and relocated the shocks, it works really good. I was wondering if anyone thinks 7" rear drop will still work? I don't want bags, it's my DD and I don't have the money anyway, I don't want to run bags with schrader valves either. So would 5" springs and 2" blocks be ok, or would I be better off to stick with what I got now (3" springs, 2" blocks)?

thanks,

Nate

Swapping to manual fill bags will get you where you want so why not bags? You're going to go through the effort of swapping springs anyway.... installing a couple of bags isn't much more work.

From SuicideDoors site:
255c 2500# Firestone air bags @ $70ea x 2 = 140
25ft 1/4" Reinforced DOT air line @ $6
90° elbow fittings @ $5ea x 2 = 10
Schrader fittings @ $5ea x 2 = 10

Grand total for everything = $166
Price for 5" drop springs from board vendor GMC Pauls = $115

$51 difference to get that 7" drop & still tow a load.....

[cdowns]

try the 5" springs with the blocks /just dont get rid of what you have now till you find out how you like it. once you're sure that you have the setup you like sell the other pair of springs// springs are cheap so either way you'd not be out a heck of alot of money