Stock ride height - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71Bowties · 01-31-2010, 12:33 AM

Hi everyone. I have a 1971 GMC C-15 that came with rear spring suspension originally and has been lowered via underslung leafs. I am trying to find out the stock ride height (measurement from ground to fender well lip or something similar) to be able to establish how much the truck has been lowered. I like the ride height as it is, but am wanting to change to a coil spring suspension. The stock measurement would allow me to order the correct drop coils for the new rear suspension. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

*highperf4x4* · 01-31-2010, 12:39 AM

Well mine is stock ride height but it's a GMC with leaf springs and my tires are 295/50/15 so the measurement would be low. I might be able to get a measurement from the frame to the axle but I'd have to crawl around on the snow and ice.

72BlckButy · 01-31-2010, 12:40 AM

Before I lowered my '69 I took the following measurements on my coil spring suspension(running 235 75R15's):

Driver's Side Front: 33 1/2"
Driver's Side Rear: 33"
Passenger Sde Front: 33 1/4"
Passenger Side Rear: 32 7/8"

(From the ground to the center of the wheel arch on the fender/bedside.)

tap500 · 01-31-2010, 12:40 AM

LMC use to have the measurements in their catalog. It was in the suspension section if memory serves me. There were two sections of the catalog that had drop springs and one had the info you were looking for.

71Bowties · 01-31-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

Well mine is stock ride height but it's a GMC with leaf springs and my tires are 295/50/15 so the measurement would be low. I might be able to get a measurement from the frame to the axle but I'd have to crawl around on the snow and ice.

I heard you guys got some snow yesterday. I appreciate it though. I am going to try 72BLCKBUTY's measurement and see what that gives me.

71Bowties · 01-31-2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Before I lowered my '69 I took the following measurements on my coil spring suspension(running 235 75R15's):

Driver's Side Front: 33 1/2"
Driver's Side Rear: 33"
Passenger Sde Front: 33 1/4"
Passenger Side Rear: 32 7/8"

(From the ground to the center of the wheel arch on the fender/bedside.)

Thanks for the measurements. I am going to tape it tomorrow and see what the difference is. I think I am going to end up with either 4" or 5" drop coils.

Thanks again

*highperf4x4* · 01-31-2010, 12:54 AM

Yeah we got about 6 inches but the day before we got 1" of ice first. It's dirty business on the streets! The graders keep exposing the ice.

71Bowties · 01-31-2010, 12:56 AM

I seem to remember there being a height chart in LMC too, but I couldn't find it. I even pulled up some of my older catalogs with no results. I should've tried to call them, I've had decent luck with most of their technical people in the past.

Thanks

72BlckButy · 01-31-2010, 01:38 AM

We lowered my '69 with a 4.5/6" drop kit and after dropping the truck I ended up with the following measurements:

Driver's Side Front: 28"
Driver's Side Rear: 29"
Passenger Side Front: 28 1/4"
Passenger Side Rear: 28 3/4"

71Bowties · 02-01-2010, 11:29 AM

I got in a serious argument with my passenger vent window yesterday and forgot to measure. I am starting on the driver's side, so I will take a measure prior to jumping in tonight.

I appreciate the information. I hope this will lead to a clear cut spring choice for the new rear suspension.

71Bowties · 02-03-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

We lowered my '69 with a 4.5/6" drop kit and after dropping the truck I ended up with the following measurements:

Driver's Side Front: 28"
Driver's Side Rear: 29"
Passenger Side Front: 28 1/4"
Passenger Side Rear: 28 3/4"

That is almost exactly what mine is sitting at right now. I am going to call someone like CPP and see if it is better to with a 4" drop spring with a block or what their suggestion is?

I appreciate the information.

JWall · 02-03-2010, 05:04 PM

I've got the following measurements off of my truck...

Currently with the 4/6 Drop
Front = 28"
Rear = 28 3/4"

Back when it had the 2/4 Drop
Front = 30"
Rear = 30 1/4"

71Bowties · 02-04-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWall

I've got the following measurements off of my truck...

Currently with the 4/6 Drop
Front = 28"
Rear = 28 3/4"

Back when it had the 2/4 Drop
Front = 30"
Rear = 30 1/4"

Mine is definitely looking like I need somewhere around a 5 1/2" - 6" drop setup. Maybe like 4" drop springs and a 1 1/2" lowering block type setup. Have to do some calling to CPP or someone like that and see what they say.

Thanks for the numbers

71Bowties · 02-04-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWall

I've got the following measurements off of my truck...

Currently with the 4/6 Drop
Front = 28"
Rear = 28 3/4"

Back when it had the 2/4 Drop
Front = 30"
Rear = 30 1/4"

BTW, I love your truck. Nice attention to stock detailing. Very very sweet!!!!

JWall · 02-04-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71Bowties

BTW, I love your truck. Nice attention to stock detailing. Very very sweet!!!!

Thank you.

Let me know if you need any more info or measurements.

CPA-DVM · 02-04-2010, 02:50 PM

So all you guys have half tons. Did the 8-luggers have the same stock ride height (mine is a 2wd)? Just wondering.

71Bowties · 02-04-2010, 07:34 PM

Hmm.... good question?

01-31-2010, 12:33 AM	#1
71Bowties Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montrose. Colorado Posts: 58	Stock ride height Hi everyone. I have a 1971 GMC C-15 that came with rear spring suspension originally and has been lowered via underslung leafs. I am trying to find out the stock ride height (measurement from ground to fender well lip or something similar) to be able to establish how much the truck has been lowered. I like the ride height as it is, but am wanting to change to a coil spring suspension. The stock measurement would allow me to order the correct drop coils for the new rear suspension. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks __________________ 71 GMC C15 swb 71 K5 Blazer 72 K10 Woodhauler 89 Suburban 13 Duramax

01-31-2010, 12:39 AM	#2
highperf4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 4,709	Re: Stock ride height Well mine is stock ride height but it's a GMC with leaf springs and my tires are 295/50/15 so the measurement would be low. I might be able to get a measurement from the frame to the axle but I'd have to crawl around on the snow and ice.

01-31-2010, 12:40 AM	#3
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Stock ride height Before I lowered my '69 I took the following measurements on my coil spring suspension(running 235 75R15's): Driver's Side Front: 33 1/2" Driver's Side Rear: 33" Passenger Sde Front: 33 1/4" Passenger Side Rear: 32 7/8" (From the ground to the center of the wheel arch on the fender/bedside.) __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package) Last edited by 72BlckButy; 01-31-2010 at 12:40 AM.

01-31-2010, 12:40 AM	#4
tap500 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Farmington CT Posts: 41	Re: Stock ride height LMC use to have the measurements in their catalog. It was in the suspension section if memory serves me. There were two sections of the catalog that had drop springs and one had the info you were looking for.

01-31-2010, 12:54 AM	#7
highperf4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 4,709	Re: Stock ride height Yeah we got about 6 inches but the day before we got 1" of ice first. It's dirty business on the streets! The graders keep exposing the ice.

01-31-2010, 12:56 AM	#8
71Bowties Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montrose. Colorado Posts: 58	Re: Stock ride height I seem to remember there being a height chart in LMC too, but I couldn't find it. I even pulled up some of my older catalogs with no results. I should've tried to call them, I've had decent luck with most of their technical people in the past. Thanks __________________ 71 GMC C15 swb 71 K5 Blazer 72 K10 Woodhauler 89 Suburban 13 Duramax

01-31-2010, 01:38 AM	#9
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Stock ride height We lowered my '69 with a 4.5/6" drop kit and after dropping the truck I ended up with the following measurements: Driver's Side Front: 28" Driver's Side Rear: 29" Passenger Side Front: 28 1/4" Passenger Side Rear: 28 3/4" __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

02-01-2010, 11:29 AM	#10
71Bowties Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montrose. Colorado Posts: 58	Re: Stock ride height I got in a serious argument with my passenger vent window yesterday and forgot to measure. I am starting on the driver's side, so I will take a measure prior to jumping in tonight. I appreciate the information. I hope this will lead to a clear cut spring choice for the new rear suspension. __________________ 71 GMC C15 swb 71 K5 Blazer 72 K10 Woodhauler 89 Suburban 13 Duramax

02-03-2010, 05:04 PM	#12
JWall Frequent Flyer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 2,258	Re: Stock ride height I've got the following measurements off of my truck... Currently with the 4/6 Drop Front = 28" Rear = 28 3/4" Back when it had the 2/4 Drop Front = 30" Rear = 30 1/4" __________________ - Justin 76 SWB C-10 - 98 SWB C1500 (x2) 1 Owner 1976 SWB

02-04-2010, 02:50 PM	#16
CPA-DVM Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Amboy/Good Thunder/Mankato, MN Posts: 24	Re: Stock ride height So all you guys have half tons. Did the 8-luggers have the same stock ride height (mine is a 2wd)? Just wondering. __________________ 1969 C-20 Longhorn All original - 34xxx miles Planning a full frame off starting later in 2010 and through early 2011, and beyond...

02-04-2010, 07:34 PM	#17
71Bowties Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montrose. Colorado Posts: 58	Re: Stock ride height Hmm.... good question? __________________ 71 GMC C15 swb 71 K5 Blazer 72 K10 Woodhauler 89 Suburban 13 Duramax



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