Lowering the 87

[chevymotocross]

I'm in the process of gathering all the info I need before I order the components I need to lower my 87 shortbed. Here is what I came up with: DJM has the best prices. Only problem I found is with the DJM spindle. Since it's a 3'', it may cause my 15'' wheel to rub the lower control arm. I don't have factory rally wheels, I have 15'' alloy aftermarket wheels, unsure of brand. How much grinding is actually required? I don't mind grinding, but I don't want to grind excessive amounts away from the LCA and I'd like to avoid using a wheel spacer.

Unfortunately, if I can't use the 3'' spindle, I'm going to end up spending more money since I would have to use either a McGaughy's or Summit 2.5'' spindle and possibly a 1'' or 2'' spring to get the drop a DJM spindle would have given me, but I wouldn't have to worry about grinding. Plus, now, I'm spending more, since I'm not buying one complete kit, now I'd have to buy the flip kit seperate, since I'm not getting it all from DJM if this were to happen.

Are pinion shims required? I'm doing a flip kit. Haven't heard much about these but I wasn't sure if they are required?

Does anyone know, if DJM's complete kits come with the shock extenders? I'm guessing I have to purchase them seperately.

I was planning on just the 3/5 DJM drop or close to it (if I had to go with the 2.5 spindle and 1'' or 2'' spring as I stated above), but DJM also offers, for not much more a 5/5 drop which includes an additional 2'' lowering spring. Will this rub 255/70/15 tires? I think for now I will just go with a 3/5 drop and add drop springs later if I want more front drop, but I was just curious. I'm hoping 255/70/15 tires won't rub on a 3/5.

[spr85gmc]

i have my factory rallys just had to grind od about a 1/4 of in inch to prevent rubbing but i would highly recommend going 5/5 if not your going to hate the wheel gap in the front.
*no shims needed
* shock extenterders included
* stylintrucks.com

[pcmcobra]

Originally Posted by spr85gmc

i would highly recommend going 5/5 if not your going to hate the wheel gap in the front.

x2

[azfab]

have you thoght about a z? you could run stock spindels and a stock spring for a nice ride. but its alot of work. planing to do it for my 86. i will have some pics when im ready.

[spr85gmc]

Originally Posted by azfab

have you thoght about a z? you could run stock spindels and a stock spring for a nice ride. but its alot of work. planing to do it for my 86. i will have some pics when im ready.

that would be smooth and better yet still ride like it was stock.... but how deep are our pockets

[azfab]

Originally Posted by spr85gmc

that would be smooth and better yet still ride like it was stock.... but how deep are our pockets

lol yeah it only takes money. its no that bad if you can weld youll be alright its th cheaper way to go. you wont need drop spindels, controlarms, all that good stuff just some welding and grinding. ill be going mine soon, ill take alot of pics.

[azfab]

for the rear what it did was calle summit up and ordered some spring perches for a 2.5 wide and a 3'' axel tube and set my pinion angle up (after i moved the axle on top of the leafs) welded them up and bam you have your own flip kit for 20. cant beat that.

[chevymotocross]

Yea I definetly don't have the money for that going to school with only a part time job for now. I'm pretty convinced about the 5/5 drop, but now, I think those 255/70/15 are not going to be a good choice. I'm betting they will rub in the front with a 5'' drop. I was hoping to not have to buy new tires now, but I think I'm going to have to go with a 255/60/15

[chevymotocross]

So does anyone think a 255/70/15 will rub on a 5'' front drop?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

So does anyone think a 255/70/15 will rub on a 5'' front drop?

Yes, they will rub.

I have about a 5-6" front drop w/27.7" tall tires & they buzz the stock inner fender-wells up front. 255-70's are about 1-1.5" taller @ 29".

[chevymotocross]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Yes, they will rub.

I have about a 5-6" front drop w/27.7" tall tires & they buzz the stock inner fender-wells up front. 255-70's are about 1-1.5" taller @ 29".

Yea, I think a 255/70/15 would be good for a 3/4 drop, but I don't really want to go through the trouble of installing shackles/hangers. I know a 255/60/15 would work nicely with a 5/5. I wonder about a 225/75/15, which were the factory sized tires for the truck. My speedometer would stay the same, snow traction (I live in Connecticut), would still be good with the 225, and I'd probably get the best gas mileage with them. I wonder if a 225/75/15 would rub on a 5'' drop.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

Yea, I think a 255/70/15 would be good for a 3/4 drop, but I don't really want to go through the trouble of installing shackles/hangers. I know a 255/60/15 would work nicely with a 5/5. I wonder about a 225/75/15, which were the factory sized tires for the truck. My speedometer would stay the same, snow traction (I live in Connecticut), would still be good with the 225, and I'd probably get the best gas mileage with them. I wonder if a 225/75/15 would rub on a 5'' drop.

225-75's = 28.3" so they would also rub w/a 5" front drop (they'll buzz the tops of the inner wells on bumps/dips in the road).

[chevymotocross]

Looks like I will need a 60 series tire for sure

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

Looks like I will need a 60 series tire for sure

215-65/15 = 26" tall.

[chevymotocross]

I just scored some good Yokohama take off's (I work at town fair tire) free. They are 225/70/15. These are about 27.4'' tall. I think these will work fine up front and I'll run a 255/70/15 in the rear. I think it will look good. I'm also debating now whether to drop the front 5'' or 4''. If I do 4'', I don't think I'll have any issues. Plus, with a 5'' rear drop, it should all be level with a slight rake. Also, I'm pretty sure the DJM kit comes with new leaf spring u-bolts. I'm wondering if I should also buy new leaf spring hanger and shackle bolts along with new leaf spring bushings? They look pretty rusty and I don't want to deal with snapped bolts during the install. Plus, I'm sure those factory bushings are in bad shape. Are the new bushings hard to press in?