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

[77trailering]

Hows it going! I'm new to the forum and I have 1977 silverado SWB. I want to lower the truck, but I'm not sure what set up to go with. I have seen the old set up with spindles and drop springs in the front, then hangers, shackles, and a flip kit in rear. But now they have lowering control arms and lowering leaf springs....I later want to put some 20''s - 20 x 8.5 front and 20 x 10 in rear...ANY SUGGESTIONS? Thanks

[fiddy9apache]

i prefure drop lower control arms and springs, they dont push the wheels out towards the fenders like spindles do.

[JW76]

if you do drop lower control arms do you have to change the stock upper control arm?

[N2TRUX]

It's just a matter of personal preference on how you go about it. If it were me, I would look at the Summit Racing website and get your credit card out. Buy a set of DJM 3" spindles, and Summit brand 2" springs. For the rear I would use a DJM or Summit brand flip kit.

BTW- Did you just buy this truck? I saw one that looked just like it on Craigslist about a month ago.

[fiddy9apache]

Originally Posted by JW76

if you do drop lower control arms do you have to change the stock upper control arm?

you can use them with factory uppers.

[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 N2TRUX

It's just a matter of personal preference on how you go about it. If it were me, I would look at the Summit Racing website and get your credit card out. Buy a set of DJM 3" spindles, and Summit brand 2" springs. For the rear I would use a DJM or Summit brand flip kit.

BTW- Did you just buy this truck? I saw one that looked just like it on Craigslist about a month ago.

Thanks for your advice, yes I saw it a month and ahalf ago. The previous owner and I talk, but nothing happen. So about a week ago, I called him and he made me an offer I couldn't pass up. 1977 chevy silverado trailering special with 59,000 orignal miles. It has a few mods, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Man, I have followed N2TRUX ever since you came out in classic trucks magazine...Your 77 has been my inspiration....thanks N2TRux is one of the best looking trucks I have ever seen!

[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.

[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.

[1980c-10 mybaby]

If i where you i would look into the Eibach systems...... they are a little more expensive then all the summit and belltech equipment..... but the eibach warranty is better than all(1million mile warranty.......cant go wrong with that)

[Jonboy]

That is a really nice truck. You might also check with CPP Jeff in the suspension forum. He can set you up with lowering parts as well.

[JohnC]

That's a nice looking truck 77trailering. Welcome to the boards. Looking forward to the progress on your already good looking truck.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 77trailering

..... 1977 chevy silverado trailering special with 59,000 orignal miles. It has a few mods, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Man, I have followed N2TRUX ever since you came out in classic trucks magazine...Your 77 has been my inspiration....thanks N2TRux is one of the best looking trucks I have ever seen!

I thought that was the one. He had it posted at a really good price. If you get it below that you scored big.

Thanks for the kind words regarding my truck.

[menace121978]

beautiful truck man... i thought it was mine at 1st! they could be twins

and welcome aboard

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by menace121978

beautiful truck man... i thought it was mine at 1st! they could be twins

and welcome aboard

I thought the same thing.

[CHEESE]

X3!!

Check into McGaughys! the LMC truck rides great!!

[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

[77trailering]

Originally Posted by 1980c-10 mybaby

If i where you i would look into the Eibach systems...... they are a little more expensive then all the summit and belltech equipment..... but the eibach warranty is better than all(1million mile warranty.......cant go wrong with that)

Thanks, I will look into it, but as of right now I think I will most likely end up going with the spindle and springs set.

[77trailering]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

That is a really nice truck. You might also check with CPP Jeff in the suspension forum. He can set you up with lowering parts as well.

I did and I actually called up there and they're sending me a new catalog. thanks

[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!!!!

[77trailering]

Originally Posted by menace121978

beautiful truck man... i thought it was mine at 1st! they could be twins

and welcome aboard

I saw your thread, WOW, your living my dream....But I will get there slowly but surely....

[77trailering]

Originally Posted by CHEESE

X3!!

Check into McGaughys! the LMC truck rides great!!
Attachment 549166

Thanks, I called McGaughys turns out they only do 4/6 drop....So I will probably go with summit beltec....

[CHEESE]

Yup, it starts out a 4/6 but with a trim of the springs and move up of the hangers it sits low, and rides great!