The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-25-2012, 03:54 PM   #1
kolb02
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 4
how low can you go with drum brakes?

Just woundering cause i have drums on all four corners of my 69 c10 2wd. I want to lower it as much as I can and still be able to get it aligned properly. A couple of company's have told me that 2inches is as low as I can go with drum brakes. I will need to switch to discs if I want lower.
kolb02 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2012, 03:59 PM   #2
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,692
Re: how low can you go with drum brakes?

3/5 spring drop.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2012, 04:02 PM   #3
kolb02
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 4
Re: how low can you go with drum brakes?

A 3/5 will work and I will still be able to correct the caster and camber to spec?
kolb02 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2012, 04:02 PM   #4
50bomb
Registered User
 
50bomb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Hemet,Ca
Posts: 1,502
Re: how low can you go with drum brakes?

When I had my 64 chevy truck I went with a 3/6 drop without notchin. I also didnt load it to its full capacity.
__________________
Stovebolt-It is painted
50bomb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2012, 04:04 PM   #5
Bhelton
Registered User
 
Bhelton's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Hickory NC
Posts: 2,351
Re: how low can you go with drum brakes?

I remember a few years ago I think the guys in truckin magazine cut the a arms and raised the ball joints to do a drop
Posted via Mobile Device
Bhelton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2012, 04:30 PM   #6
brad_man_72
the boat guy
 
brad_man_72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: springfield mo
Posts: 2,339
Re: how low can you go with drum brakes?

You can notch and z the frame, body drop, and lay rocker with drum brakes....


I had a 4-6 drop with drums with just springs, no problems with alignment.
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck
66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate.
28, model a rpu project,
brad_man_72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2012, 06:13 PM   #7
nele22
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Ashland
Posts: 124
Re: how low can you go with drum brakes?

Would just a 3/5 drop require control arms or could we just get by with springs and shorter shocks?
Posted via Mobile Device
nele22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-2012, 08:36 AM   #8
Square_78
Registered User
 
Square_78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
Posts: 1,237
Re: how low can you go with drum brakes?

mine is about 5" down. Still have the drums right now. Alignment was fine. Bumpstops removed but it bottoms out over small bumps. Would need to shave the metal stop mounts off the lower control arms to keep it this way and be able to have any suspension travel. Tie rod ends are at some pretty nasty angles also and they would probably bind up going over bumps. There is no way you can go lower than this without drop spindles or doing some heims joint tie rod ends and longer camber bolts at least. I have CPP disc brakes and drop spindles to install in the springtime as well as air bags so Im not keeping it lowered this way. I would say 4" is max you want to go down with just drop/cut springs. That way you will still have an inch or two of usable suspension travel. I would say cut 2 coils off your front springs and order some 6" drop springs for the rear. You might have to get shorter shocks for the rear. Hint: Put a set of front shocks in the rear to use as drop shocks. They are the perfect length.

This pic is with a 15x8 rim and a 215/70R15 tire and stock front shocks. You dont need shorter front shocks unless you are bagging the front and trying to lay your control arms on the ground. My shocks arnt bottoming out even with 5" drop in front. Dont buy shorter shocks unless you need them.
Attached Images
 
__________________
#teamlongbed

"I refuse to go disc brakes. I actually love drum brakes. It makes for an adventure." - 50bomb

1978 Chevy shop truck - static 6/8"
1970 GMC 1500 - Accuair eLevel Resto-mod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537497

Last edited by Square_78; 12-27-2012 at 08:46 AM. Reason: spelling
Square_78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com