Lowering My 96

[Matt_ks]

So i just got a 96 chev, 1/2 ton 2wd standard cab and im wanting to drop it a bit.. im thinking somewhere in the neighborhood of 4/6.. can anyone tell me the best and easiest kit to buy!!

[NORCAL SS]

ill get better ones this weekend. Going for alignment after work then lower the rear 1 inch tonight





ive been doing kits on these trucks since 93 and sell both belltech and djm. I would go with the djm 4/6 and I beat anyones prices shipped. I know Mike at djm for years now.

[JWall]

I generally use BellTech or Western Chasis but have used DJM in the past also.

My daily is 5/7 dropped with all Western Chasis & I'm very pleased.

The notch with the Western flip kit seems to be larger because it doesnt bottom out as often as other trucks I've had with the BellTech notch.

[1badgmc]

DJM, Western Chassis, BellTech or McGaughy's and you can't go wrong.

Personally, I would avoid BellTech spindles because they push your front wheels out slightly and might give clearance issues with some wheel/tire combos, but if that's no concern for you, then no worries.

[ChevLoRay]

This link is in another post.....It is recommended reading if you want to know what to do.

http://docs.belltech.com/66056607-888.pdf

[Matt_ks]

NorCal.. tell me roughly what a complete kit including shocks would cost me.. that would be great..

[og350]

Hey jwall what all did you use in the fron for your drop? what size tires are you running?

[jb1016]

Matt, welcome to this side of the board! And now, because somebody has to do it...

[NORCAL SS]

Originally Posted by Matt_ks

NorCal.. tell me roughly what a complete kit including shocks would cost me.. that would be great..

the belltech is a few hundred more i just need to know if you want to go with spindles/springs or a arms and springs

[JWall]

Originally Posted by og350

Hey jwall what all did you use in the fron for your drop? what size tires are you running?

2" Spindles & 3" Springs in front

255/60/15 front & 275/60/15 rear

[Matt_ks]

spindles and springs... !!

[Blitz]

Which combo provides the best ride/comfort for the 4/6 & 5/7 drop?

Matt, what size wheels will you be running, 20's?

[Matt_ks]

Blitz.. i will prolly be running the stock wheels for a while.. i have a set of 17s i might put on it..

[1badgmc]

Originally Posted by Blitz

Which combo provides the best ride/comfort for the 4/6 & 5/7 drop?

Whether you're doing 4/6 or 5/7, your basics are going to pretty much be the same.

For the rear, you'll have a flip kit for 6" and then you'll add a pair of shackles in the 1" hole to the flip kit to get your 7".

In the front, 2" spindles and springs. 2" springs for a 4" drop or 3" springs for a 5" drop. DJM makes 2" and 3" lower control arms, but DJM doesn't recommend using them with drop springs. I have seen some serious balljoint issues from people who do use them with springs.

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by 1badgmc

Whether you're doing 4/6 or 5/7, your basics are going to pretty much be the same.

For the rear, you'll have a flip kit for 6" and then you'll add a pair of shackles in the 1" hole to the flip kit to get your 7".

In the front, 2" spindles and springs. 2" springs for a 4" drop or 3" springs for a 5" drop. DJM makes 2" and 3" lower control arms, but DJM doesn't recommend using them with drop springs. I have seen some serious balljoint issues from people who do use them with springs.

Ok. So sounds like either/or but not both in this case. Either drop spindles/drop springs/stock control arms OR drop spindles/stock springs/drop lower control arms.

[1badgmc]

I will also add that you CANNOT use the drop control arms with drop spindles. This combination will have your spring pocket hanging so low that you'll be popping the reflectors on the street.

[Blitz]

Noted.

[fiddy9apache]

Originally Posted by 1badgmc

I will also add that you CANNOT use the drop control arms with drop spindles. This combination will have your spring pocket hanging so low that you'll be popping the reflectors on the street.

yeap very true, drop control arms are the way to go. if you want to be cheap about it you can get a set of 3/4ton coil springs and cut them. i ran a cut set with my drop control arms and liked it. the truck felt more stable in the corners along with the sway bar.

[og350]

How many coils did you cut off?

[fiddy9apache]

Originally Posted by og350

How many coils did you cut off?

im thinking i cut half a coil, but its been awhile.

[og350]

Originally Posted by fiddy9apache

im thinking i cut half a coil, but its been awhile.

what do you guys thik about cutting one coil off a half ton spring. i did it once on another car i had and it rode really bad! i guess if it doen't work ill just get drop springs and stock control arms.

[68GMC454]

hey peeling reflectors off the high way is fun, well until mr policeman sees you doing it an figures out your the one responsible for most of the missing reflectors,,lol........i have cut coils for a lincoln i had one time, rode pretty good... was gettign ready to cut the coils on my van until i ran into a super deal at wal mart for 2 tires, they were 15's like i needed, but to big to do a drop now, oh well next spring..