Lowering a stock truck question...

[HugoV]

Hi guys and gals.

I have a 64' fleetside riding on the original suspension. I want
To lower but have some questions...


Can i just go out and purchase lowering springs and new shocks?

If so, how low could I go in front and back?

I was thinking about a 3 inch drop in front and a 3 in back.

What do you all think?

I would also like to go with disc brakes up front but keep the 6 lug, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!
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[nibulus]

You'll find the answers to most of your questions in the FAQ.

Nevertheless, lowering your '64 is fairly simple. Cheapest way is to cut your springs. The more expensive way is to buy lowering springs and/or spindles.

I bought mine from ECE. They were really helpful, friendly and the hardware was easy to install. Perfect fit.

They also have some disc brake packages.

Obviously there are a number of other vendors such as LMC or CPP.

[pdxhall]

If you're going with disc brakes up front you will have to change the spindles so you might as well go with dropped spindles by themselves for about a 2 1/2" drop and add dropped springs for additional drop if desired.

[nibulus]

Just keep in mind that some wheels might have clearance issues with the drop spindles. I, for instance, mounted 2½" ECE drop spindles combined with 8x15 Cragar Smoothies and have a clearance issue with the lower a-arm.

It's nothing extremely serious (=can be solved fairly easy), but it just needs to be taken into account.

Oh yeah, something else as well, which surprised me a bit: the ground clearance of the lower a-arm is reduced quite alot (with 4½" total drop).

[nibulus]

Regarding brake conversion: lolife99 has written an informative post about various options.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...57&postcount=3

[TehNewGuy]

I have a 66 and am wondering when you say cut the springs, can you cut the rear? I thought not, but there was a picture of someone’s trailing arm and it showed a back spring that looked cut, at least no narrowing of the coil on the bottom. I was just going to go the expensive route later when I did disk brakes but if I can pull off some cutting I’ll do that for now.

[nibulus]

I'm running leaf springs at the back, so I can't really say. Anyone on here, who has actually done it (cut rear springs)?

[TxRat]

One of my club buddys back in high school cut and reshaped the rear springs on his 72. It will work but I don't recommend it.

[richards72chevy]

Some people remove a few leafs.

[LVPhotos]

The rear can not be cut. Do it right save up and do it right. The brake conversion alone involves more than slapping on disks. LMC has a drop chart with pictures. 4/6 drop is lowest. To clear a 2.5 " drop spindle might need a arm work or a larger rim.
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[HugoV]

Originally Posted by nibulus

Regarding brake conversion: lolife99 has written an informative post about various options.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...57&postcount=3

I swear I looked at this post and didn't see the write up on there!!

Thank you very much Nibulus!!

[HugoV]

One more question on this...

that kit from earlyclassic.com comes with 2.5 inch drop spindles... if I just wanted that drop, would i use stock height springs? and if I wanted a 3.5 inch drop total then I would buy a 1inch coil spring drop?

thanks!

[lolife99]

Just remember,...if you are wanting your truck 3" lower than it is right now,... you may not accomplish that with 3" lowering springs.
Your current springs are 40+ years old.
They are sagging.

3" drop springs are 3" shorter than stock height NEW springs.

Find a truck on here that is the ride height that you like.
Go with the set-up that they have.

[forestb]

I have heard of people cutting the rear coils but I would not recommend it but you could get a set of drop blocks for the rear. I don't know if they sell 3 inch drop blocks though. If you are planning on lowering it more in the future I would just be patent and wait until you have the money to do it exactly the way you want it. It will save you time money and frustration in the long run. Drop blocks are cheaper and you don't need new shocks but harder to install than new rear drop coils.

[MARTYZ]

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]I put 2 1/2 drop spindles in front of mine and went with 2500 lb. air bags in the rear. worked well front sits nice and rear sits where ever I want it to. Before and after pics

[HugoV]

Thanks Martyz!! Looks good. I might still go with 2.5 spindles plus 1 inch lowering springs. And a 3 inch drop in back.
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[nibulus]

I'd like to underline this:

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

.... To clear a 2.5 " drop spindle might need a arm work or a larger rim.

...or spacers. In other words, you will not be able to run standard wheels with 2,5" spindles without some modifications. Even some after market 15" wheels with low offset might (read: will) have clearance issues.

The wheels can be more expensive than the actual lowering parts themselves.

[pdxhall]

I've got 2 1/2" spindles and 1" drop coils in front but with 5 lug conversion. 5 lug stock wheels from a later model truck fit just fine with no modifications.

[nibulus]

Are they ECE spindles or some other?

[raiderfan34]

I used CPPs 2 1/2 drop spindles in the front and 4 inch drop springs in the rear. wasnt as low as i first thought it would be.

[waspp]

I did the drop spindles plus a 1 inch drop springs in the front and a 4 inch drop coil in the rear. I also went with a lowering shocks as well. I don't have all the wheels and tires on the truck just yet but from my measurements before this combination should give me a very slight rake. Truck is a 63 by the way.

[HugoV]

Originally Posted by raiderfan34

I used CPPs 2 1/2 drop spindles in the front and 4 inch drop springs in the rear. wasnt as low as i first thought it would be.

That looks great! I would still just go with an additional 1 inch drop in front... but i do like that look.

Thanks for everyones input, I will start ordering parts soon!

[LVPhotos]

Here is the stock rear spring next to the air bag. So when you talk of cutting the spring...see the top and bottom are different size than the main body. So to cut would not work. My spring is sitting on the lower cup to make it sit flat.

[kieth]

I do not know the details but have seen guys using jeep springs on the rear to lower their trucks.....do a search and see what you come up with....

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

Here is the stock rear spring next to the air bag. So when you talk of cutting the spring...see the top and bottom are different size than the main body. So to cut would not work. My spring is sitting on the lower cup to make it sit flat.

Much like the brackets required to install the bags, guys have made a 'hat' that keeps the cut coil centered that bolts in where the original spring bolt would go on the truck arm so it can be done. I/we've done it before. I personally wouldn't recommend cutting them.

I also would not recommend the jeep spring swap. There's not enough spring rate to utilize the truck like a truck. The plus side is the ride will be softer....

For 6" drops in the rear of a truck arm suspension, 1.5" blocks (for 15" wheels) or 2" blocks (>15" wheels) & the remaining drop w/a spring or even better, airbags.