Questions about lowering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LpStreetKing · 03-13-2009, 12:14 PM

Hey guys i have an 83' GMC swb and i want to lower it but i dont know if i should go with a 4/6" drop or a 5/7" drop and what is the biggest i can go on wheels and tires without having them rub because later on i would like to buy some and about how much would the kit cost. It would be awesome if some of you guys could get back to me on this i would appreciate it alot. Thanks guys. oh and here are some pics of my truck if that helps

Driveway Dreams · 03-13-2009, 12:20 PM

I got everything together to drop mine 6/8 for under $500.

LpStreetKing · 03-13-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

I got everything together to drop mine 6/8 for under $500.

Really? Do you have a picture of what it looks like?

gchemist · 03-13-2009, 01:40 PM

Nice truck. Do you plan to keep the current tire size for a while? Measure the distance between the fender lip and the top of the tire. Measure the front tire. The rear does not matter. The wheel is tucked under bed. Front tires have a wider travel path. 4/6 will leave a little gap with your current tires. The 5/7 will tuck the front tire nicely. Don't expect an exact drop. Coils and springs take time to settle.

Is your current tire size 255/60R15?

Driveway Dreams · 03-13-2009, 04:14 PM

I will get pics of it this weekend and post them up.

LpStreetKing · 03-13-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchemist

Nice truck. Do you plan to keep the current tire size for a while? Measure the distance between the fender lip and the top of the tire. Measure the front tire. The rear does not matter. The wheel is tucked under bed. Front tires have a wider travel path. 4/6 will leave a little gap with your current tires. The 5/7 will tuck the front tire nicely. Don't expect an exact drop. Coils and springs take time to settle.

Is your current tire size 255/60R15?

Thanks. what do you mean like the same tires i have on their right now?

LpStreetKing · 03-13-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

I will get pics of it this weekend and post them up.

ok sounds good.

heavychevy79 · 03-13-2009, 07:35 PM

I think the inner fenders are a little different on a 81 up, but my 77 had a
5 inch drop (front) and would rub 235/70s when it bottomed out on stock bumpstops.
I would think 275/60s would rub too.
255/60s should be ok.

LpStreetKing · 03-17-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavychevy79

I think the inner fenders are a little different on a 81 up, but my 77 had a
5 inch drop (front) and would rub 235/70s when it bottomed out on stock bumpstops.
I would think 275/60s would rub too.
255/60s should be ok.

do you think if i got new shocks also do you think it would help?

Driveway Dreams · 03-17-2009, 10:17 PM

I made a post of my truck. Check it out and you will get an idea of the new stance.

gchemist · 03-17-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LpStreetKing

Thanks. what do you mean like the same tires i have on their right now?

Some people plan a drop then realize their tires won't fit. If you plan to keep your current tires for a while, measure the gap between the front fender lip and the wheel. Use that measurment for as your drop guide.

flamingbig10 · 03-17-2009, 11:39 PM

I have 3" djm spindles and ground force spring's on my truck with less than 27" tall tires 215 70 15s there is a little more than a inch of gap parked with the inner fenders and when I turn sharp the inner fender sits on top of the tire

Malo83 · 03-18-2009, 03:01 PM

This is my 83 with a 4/5 drop, 2 cut coils in the front and a flip kit in the rear, tires are 275/50/15's and 15x9 rims

LpStreetKing · 04-09-2009, 12:40 PM

Yea guys i think im going to stay with the same wheels and tires i have right now for awhile because bigger wheels and tires arent really in my budget right now. But a couple of days ago my dad told me that we where probably going to get the whole suspension redone on my truck

03-13-2009, 12:14 PM	#1
LpStreetKing Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Laporte, Texas Posts: 83	Questions about lowering Hey guys i have an 83' GMC swb and i want to lower it but i dont know if i should go with a 4/6" drop or a 5/7" drop and what is the biggest i can go on wheels and tires without having them rub because later on i would like to buy some and about how much would the kit cost. It would be awesome if some of you guys could get back to me on this i would appreciate it alot. Thanks guys. oh and here are some pics of my truck if that helps Attached Images

03-13-2009, 12:20 PM	#2
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Questions about lowering I got everything together to drop mine 6/8 for under $500.

03-13-2009, 01:40 PM	#4
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Questions about lowering Nice truck. Do you plan to keep the current tire size for a while? Measure the distance between the fender lip and the top of the tire. Measure the front tire. The rear does not matter. The wheel is tucked under bed. Front tires have a wider travel path. 4/6 will leave a little gap with your current tires. The 5/7 will tuck the front tire nicely. Don't expect an exact drop. Coils and springs take time to settle. Is your current tire size 255/60R15? __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos Last edited by gchemist; 03-13-2009 at 01:41 PM.

03-13-2009, 04:14 PM	#5
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Questions about lowering I will get pics of it this weekend and post them up.

03-13-2009, 07:35 PM	#8
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: Questions about lowering I think the inner fenders are a little different on a 81 up, but my 77 had a 5 inch drop (front) and would rub 235/70s when it bottomed out on stock bumpstops. I would think 275/60s would rub too. 255/60s should be ok.

03-17-2009, 10:17 PM	#10
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Questions about lowering I made a post of my truck. Check it out and you will get an idea of the new stance.

03-17-2009, 11:39 PM	#12
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: Questions about lowering I have 3" djm spindles and ground force spring's on my truck with less than 27" tall tires 215 70 15s there is a little more than a inch of gap parked with the inner fenders and when I turn sharp the inner fender sits on top of the tire __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

03-18-2009, 03:01 PM	#13
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: Questions about lowering This is my 83 with a 4/5 drop, 2 cut coils in the front and a flip kit in the rear, tires are 275/50/15's and 15x9 rims

04-09-2009, 12:40 PM	#14
LpStreetKing Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Laporte, Texas Posts: 83	Re: Questions about lowering Yea guys i think im going to stay with the same wheels and tires i have right now for awhile because bigger wheels and tires arent really in my budget right now. But a couple of days ago my dad told me that we where probably going to get the whole suspension redone on my truck



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