What's the best 5/7 drop set up?

[lolife99]

Front:
3" Belltech Spindles
3" Summit brand drop springs.

Rear:
Flip kit
Rear Shackle
Bolt in c-notch


Drop shocks and a sway bar up front with good bushings.

[77trailering]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Front:
3" Belltech Spindles
3" Summit brand drop springs.

Rear:
Flip kit
Rear Shackle
Bolt in c-notch


Drop shocks and a sway bar up front with good bushings.

Thanks for the info, so then if I get a flip kit I need to get the shackles and hangers as well. or just the shackles.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 77trailering

Thanks for the info, so then if I get a flip kit I need to get the shackles and hangers as well. or just the shackles.

The flip kit will get you a 5"-6" rear drop.
The longer rear shackle will lower the rear an additional 1"-2", (since there are two sets of holes).

The "shackle hannger" kit is for people that only want to lower the rear 4".

If you combine the "shackle hanger" kit WITH the flip kit,... you will end up with approximatel a 10" rear drop. TOO much.
It can be done,... but you'll be cutting the bed floor and adding a Step notch to your frame. I don't think you'll get the front low enough to match the 10" drop.

Look around in the suspension section.
I think a 5"/7" drop is perfect on these trucks.
If you get them too low up front you will need to pull your inner fenders.
Also,... what are your plans for wheels? Those 8" ralleys may need to be swapped out (to a 6.5" or 7" ralley wheel) up front,... if you get too low.

[77trailering]

Originally Posted by lolife99

The flip kit will get you a 5"-6" rear drop.
The longer rear shackle will lower the rear an additional 1"-2", (since there are two sets of holes).

The "shackle hannger" kit is for people that only want to lower the rear 4".

If you combine the "shackle hanger" kit WITH the flip kit,... you will end up with approximatel a 10" rear drop. TOO much.
It can be done,... but you'll be cutting the bed floor and adding a Step notch to your frame. I don't think you'll get the front low enough to match the 10" drop.

Look around in the suspension section.
I think a 5"/7" drop is perfect on these trucks.
If you get them too low up front you will need to pull your inner fenders.
Also,... what are your plans for wheels? Those 8" ralleys may need to be swapped out (to a 6.5" or 7" ralley wheel) up front,... if you get too low.

OK, your awesome, thats what I'm going to do. I will go with the spindles and springs. then in the rear with flip kit and shackles..thanks again.
On the wheels I am planning to go with some 20's 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear. but wheels are going to have to wait....you know what a mean..lol

[D.FENS]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Front:
3" Belltech Spindles
3" Summit brand drop springs.

Rear:
Flip kit
Rear Shackle
Bolt in c-notch


Drop shocks and a sway bar up front with good bushings.

This.

Don't skimp on front end service parts either. Fresh ball joints, tie rods, and a-arm bushings will make a big difference in how the truck drives and rides after you drop it. I know you said the truck is a low-miles survivor but it is 30-something years old.

I had a truck dropped with control arms and drop springs - it was a complete Chisolm suspension package (upper and lower arms, springs, drop rear leaf springs and shocks). The complete kit was crazy expensive but it was really easy to install and the finished truck rode and drove sweet.

Really don't want to spend that kinda money again, next time I'll probably go with spindles / springs / flip and see how that goes.

[77trailering]

Originally Posted by D.FENS

This.

Don't skimp on front end service parts either. Fresh ball joints, tie rods, and a-arm bushings will make a big difference in how the truck drives and rides after you drop it. I know you said the truck is a low-miles survivor but it is 30-something years old.

I had a truck dropped with control arms and drop springs - it was a complete Chisolm suspension package (upper and lower arms, springs, drop rear leaf springs and shocks). The complete kit was crazy expensive but it was really easy to install and the finished truck rode and drove sweet.

Really don't want to spend that kinda money again, next time I'll probably go with spindles / springs / flip and see how that goes.

I just order the entire brake system pads,shoes,drums,rotors,brake lines,hardware,and wheel cylinders....Ouch!!! My next order is the entire suspension inners, outers, pitman, etc....... Definitely a bigger Ouch!!!!