NEED some advice on lowering project - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RWJJR · 12-24-2008, 11:40 PM

Ive had 84 a year trying to decide what to do with it,now Ive decided on a new engine and mild drop.Ive done alot of research here and decided for now my best bet is a 2/3 with cut coils and shackles W/ overload spring removed.I have a couple questions.

1.I plan on replacing the shocks all the way around (still has factory),will some OEM replacements be ok with this mild of drop?or should I go with drop shocks?also I believe the shocks will need to be shorter in the front and longer in the rear,is this correct?If so I may try to match up some with different measurments.

2.Will I be able to get the front end aligned without any major problems.

Thanks and please give any input you think might be helpful.

Ds86C10 · 12-25-2008, 01:19 AM

thats how my truck is lowered for now. i dont have any allignment problems. i would recomend the drop springs over cutting the coils... thats just my 2 cents

SnS C10 · 12-25-2008, 02:58 AM

i cut exactly one coil on the front and i love it. I put smaller tires on also and it gave me about a 3 inch drop total. the springs alone gave it about a 2.25 inch drop. rides very smooth and handles great

Mr79C10 · 12-25-2008, 07:00 AM

Get drop coils dont cut em. Trust the people that has HAD cut coils, Your ride will be MUCH smoother if you where to buy drop coils!

silvereagle07 · 12-27-2008, 12:11 AM

I have a 4/6 drop with stock shocks. It rides smooth and no alignment issues. The only problem I've found with cutting coils is that most of the older trucks have spring sag. I've cut them on several trucks and some sag on either side. I've had better success with drop springs.

joe231 · 12-27-2008, 02:07 AM

i cut one coil off of mine, but now the truck doesn't sit level

fast75 · 12-29-2008, 04:55 AM

use drop springs and shocks, dont cut your springs. i have a 5 inch drop on my 75 short wide, 3 inch drop spindles with 2 inch drop springs from DJM

RWJJR · 01-03-2009, 06:38 PM

OK ,Ive been convinced and I have a set of Mcgaughys 2 inch drop springs on the way.Will I be OK with OEM replacement front shocks?

heavychevy79 · 01-04-2009, 02:15 AM

I had a truck with cut coils and they wouldn't stay centered in the crosmember.

Unless you're sure you don't want it that low, it would better and easier
to do a flp kit on rear.
You will have to notch the bed for the shackles, plus taking the spring pack
appart would be quite a bit more work than a flip kit IMO.

I did shackles but I didn't have to notch my bed because it's a 50s/60s stepside but I did take appart the spring pack and cut and moved the front hangers, and it was a ton of work for only a 5" drop and I would never do
it that way again.

Shocks will be fine, mine are anyway.

12-24-2008, 11:40 PM	#1
RWJJR Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EAST TENNESSEE Posts: 233	NEED some advice on lowering project Ive had 84 a year trying to decide what to do with it,now Ive decided on a new engine and mild drop.Ive done alot of research here and decided for now my best bet is a 2/3 with cut coils and shackles W/ overload spring removed.I have a couple questions. 1.I plan on replacing the shocks all the way around (still has factory),will some OEM replacements be ok with this mild of drop?or should I go with drop shocks?also I believe the shocks will need to be shorter in the front and longer in the rear,is this correct?If so I may try to match up some with different measurments. 2.Will I be able to get the front end aligned without any major problems. Thanks and please give any input you think might be helpful. __________________ 1980 Silverado short bed 1993 GMC 1500 LS swap 2006 Lifted Z71 Crew Cab

12-25-2008, 01:19 AM	#2
Ds86C10 2WD 4 Life Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Coon Rapids, MN Posts: 169	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project thats how my truck is lowered for now. i dont have any allignment problems. i would recomend the drop springs over cutting the coils... thats just my 2 cents __________________ Big D 1969 c10 1960 cadillac 1978 king cobra

12-25-2008, 02:58 AM	#3
SnS C10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lomita, Ca Posts: 1,225	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project i cut exactly one coil on the front and i love it. I put smaller tires on also and it gave me about a 3 inch drop total. the springs alone gave it about a 2.25 inch drop. rides very smooth and handles great

12-25-2008, 07:00 AM	#4
Mr79C10 It Is What It Is,,,, Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Gun Shine StateFlorida* Posts: 1,765	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project Get drop coils dont cut em. Trust the people that has HAD cut coils, Your ride will be MUCH smoother if you where to buy drop coils! __________________ 79 C10 Short Box ST8 6 bang'r Lowered w/ 3" Control arms, 2" Lower Coils and 4" shackles and hangers W/ FLIP KIT __--__* 79 C-10 project* .........................__ ..............._____ l __\___ ..............\|_(O)_ \|___(O) ] FAQ INDEX Thread The Kulture My Rat Den

12-27-2008, 12:11 AM	#5
silvereagle07 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bailey, NC Posts: 2,462	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project I have a 4/6 drop with stock shocks. It rides smooth and no alignment issues. The only problem I've found with cutting coils is that most of the older trucks have spring sag. I've cut them on several trucks and some sag on either side. I've had better success with drop springs. __________________ Jeramy '84 GMC project truck '85 Chevy 4X4 SOLD '07 Chevy Trailblazer SS 5th Annual SHPHC Car/Truck Show Pics http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543605 UPDATED PICS! CHECK 'EM OUT

12-27-2008, 02:07 AM	#6
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project i cut one coil off of mine, but now the truck doesn't sit level __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 12-27-2008 at 02:09 AM.

12-29-2008, 04:55 AM	#7
fast75 Go Hard or Go Home! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: quitman, tx Posts: 261	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project use drop springs and shocks, dont cut your springs. i have a 5 inch drop on my 75 short wide, 3 inch drop spindles with 2 inch drop springs from DJM

01-03-2009, 06:38 PM	#8
RWJJR Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EAST TENNESSEE Posts: 233	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project OK ,Ive been convinced and I have a set of Mcgaughys 2 inch drop springs on the way.Will I be OK with OEM replacement front shocks? __________________ 1980 Silverado short bed 1993 GMC 1500 LS swap 2006 Lifted Z71 Crew Cab

01-04-2009, 02:15 AM	#9
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: NEED some advice on lowering project I had a truck with cut coils and they wouldn't stay centered in the crosmember. Unless you're sure you don't want it that low, it would better and easier to do a flp kit on rear. You will have to notch the bed for the shackles, plus taking the spring pack appart would be quite a bit more work than a flip kit IMO. I did shackles but I didn't have to notch my bed because it's a 50s/60s stepside but I did take appart the spring pack and cut and moved the front hangers, and it was a ton of work for only a 5" drop and I would never do it that way again. Shocks will be fine, mine are anyway.



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