What is the best method to drop my truck?

[1bad84silverado]

First off I'd like to introduce myself I'm from Kyle,tx and just acquired my brothers 1984 Silverado so I'm new to the truck seen. I like to lower my truck probably a 4/6 drop with some 20inch coys or torque thrust. I just don't know what 84 with a 4/6 drop would look like with 20's so if someone has pics with a this setupor if there is any complications with running that big of a rim or if my long tube hedmans will hit speed bums with 20's being dropped that low. Also what is the best and cheapest method with a good ride to do this? I will see if I can post up some pics of what it currently looks like. Thanks.

[LEEVON]

Welcome and nice truck! There is a huge long thread on here with lowered 73-87 trucks, check it out. 4/6 is the right drop for these I think.

Not sure about your headers. Wheels are fine. 8.5" front and 9.5-10" rears.

As for the drop cheap and best are relative. I'm a tight a** and I like quality parts and a nice ride but I can't afford to throw a $7k Ridetech kit at my trucks. Here are the parts I have collected for my '87, which will be getting dropped soon. This isn't much different than any other truck with IFS that I've done, with exception of the new ones.

-Flip kit $40 (classifieds here)
-rear shock relocators $60
-2.5" spindles (McGaughys) $250
-cut 1 coil
-1.25" sway bar (optional)

So $350 plus an alignment. I have the sway bar laying around. On the simple bracket flip, you will re-use your u-bolts provided they aren't too rusty and drill a hole 1" away from the retainer plate's existing u-bolt pin hole to locate the axle correctly.

[DREAMER1]

There are a variety of "cheap" drops. But the best way to do it is to do it "right". Drop spindles in the front with a flip kit in the rear for starters. Here's mine with 20s

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[LEEVON]

Here is enough reading for a couple of nights:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=204533
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=492874

When your on the 73-87 page, go to the lower left at display options and pull the tab down for "beginning". Then sort at the top by replies or views. You will have all of the most popular threads since the beginning at your disposal.

[meatwagon83]

just chop the springs in half! you aint cool unless it drags the speed bumps dawg!!!

[kalbert]

Sweet color combo, I like it.

Curious, what wheel/tire combo is on it now? Looks like factory rally's with BFG All Terrain's, what size?

[cory d]

hedman long tubes hang pretty low, i have smashed mine pretty flat. then they crack

[1bad84silverado]

Originally Posted by kalbert

Sweet color combo, I like it.

Curious, what wheel/tire combo is on it now? Looks like factory rally's with BFG All Terrain's, what size?

factory rally's with bfg all terrain 31x10.5r15

[1bad84silverado]

i really like the stance of these though i have no clue what they have done to them. Any help would be great.

[zook]

welcome to the forum and congrads on your new ride. I think a lot depends on how much you want to spend...it's unlimited. Good luck. I have drop springs/spindles and flip kit on mine and will be putting on some staggered 17's in the next couple days...hoping for some warm weather.
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[bbbc10]

first truck is 5/5 drop an the second is 5/7....i wouldnt cut springs.....dnr half ass it th first time....mine is lowered 5/6 but i dnt have 20s

[bbbc10]

white truck is 4.5/6 drop wth 20s
blue truck is 6/8 drop with 20s
red truck is 5/7 drop with 20s

[zook]

I like them all they all look good and low. more into lower than lifted. big blocks are a plus too! just my 2 cents and worth nothin.

[1bad84silverado]

Thanks fellas for all the help. I'm liking the forum already everyone seems very helpful. I think I will start with a 4/6 drop and go from there. Now what rims coys chrome or gray. Remember pics of my truck are at The utop.
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[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by bbbc10

first truck is 5/5 drop an the second is 5/7....i wouldnt cut springs.....dnr half ass it th first time....mine is lowered 5/6 but i dnt have 20s

Cutting one coil of less is far from half-assed. I've had many drop springs, nothing wrong with them they're just not always necessary. 1bad84silverado...you did say cheap and best, my advice is solid. If you don't like the ride after one coil cut, yank it and add drop springs. Ride quality issues are far more likely to come from poor shock angle, crappy drop shocks, un-trimmed bumpstops, pinion angle, and a bunch of other things. It's a "big picture" thing.

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Welcome and nice truck! There is a huge long thread on here with lowered 73-87 trucks, check it out. 4/6 is the right drop for these I think.

Not sure about your headers. Wheels are fine. 8.5" front and 9.5-10" rears.

As for the drop cheap and best are relative. I'm a tight a** and I like quality parts and a nice ride but I can't afford to throw a $7k Ridetech kit at my trucks. Here are the parts I have collected for my '87, which will be getting dropped soon. This isn't much different than any other truck with IFS that I've done, with exception of the new ones.

-Flip kit $40 (classifieds here)
-rear shock relocators $60
-2.5" spindles (McGaughys) $250
-cut 1 coil
-1.25" sway bar (optional)

So $350 plus an alignment. I have the sway bar laying around. On the simple bracket flip, you will re-use your u-bolts provided they aren't too rusty and drill a hole 1" away from the retainer plate's existing u-bolt pin hole to locate the axle correctly.

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Cutting one coil of less is far from half-assed. I've had many drop springs, nothing wrong with them they're just not always necessary. 1bad84silverado...you did say cheap and best, my advice is solid. If you don't like the ride after one coil cut, yank it and add drop springs. Ride quality issues are far more likely to come from poor shock angle, crappy drop shocks, un-trimmed bumpstops, pinion angle, and a bunch of other things. It's a "big picture" thing.

Ive dropped many trucks myself and would agree with Leevon 100%, this is how to do it right without buying a bunch of unecesary parts.

[KrazyRay]

Originally Posted by DREAMER1

There are a variety of "cheap" drops. But the best way to do it is to do it "right". Drop spindles in the front with a flip kit in the rear for starters. Here's mine with 20s

Posted via Mobile Device

I like your combo of wheels, drop, and paint. Not to hijack, but what paint did you use?

[81Scottsdale520]

i used a flip kit in the back i havent got to cut the springs in the front because the transmission ended up dying on me so until i fix it its gonna stay like this for awhile.

[1bad84silverado]

Is this a good kit to go with? Also what could I do to drop it that extra 1/2inch in the rear? Here is the link with the kit I was thinking about getting.http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1974-19...500fb2&vxp=mtr

[1bad84silverado]

Originally Posted by 81Scottsdale520

i used a flip kit in the back i havent got to cut the springs in the front because the transmission ended up dying on me so until i fix it its gonna stay like this for awhile.

I didn't know you could do this just with a flip in the rear and cutting springs. How is ride quality when you go this route? Anybody? Aproximately when you cut one whole coil how many inches does the front drop?

[cory d]

i flipped, with drop shackles and 2 cut coil. stock coils are too soft. my buddy has HD coils with 2 cut adn it rides great

[1bad84silverado]

What is the bolt pattern for the wheels? Like I said I'm new to trucks so I have not a clue.

[1bad84silverado]

Originally Posted by 1bad84silverado

Is this a good kit to go with? Also what could I do to drop it that extra 1/2inch in the rear? Here is the link with the kit I was thinking about getting.http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1974-19...500fb2&vxp=mtr

I think I may just save my pennies and go with something like this if this is a good kit.

[cory d]

5x5" or 5x127mm care when buying wheels on craigslist, people often say 5x5 then say its off an s10 or camaro (5x4 3/4) or frod/dodge 5 lug (5x5.5)

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 1bad84silverado

I think I may just save my pennies and go with something like this if this is a good kit.

Check in here & see if there's a board supporting vendor that can help you before doing an e-bay purchase w/minimal or no customer service if you have issues....

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...play.php?f=210