Wanting to lower my 85.

[rs74]

I am looking into lowering my truck and have a few questions. First I am looking into buying WV vette rallies for the truck and will be running 295/50-15's on the rear and for the front not sure quite yet. Rims will be 8" for sure and either something like 275-50 or 255-50-60's. I am think maybe a 4-6 or 5-7 drop on it right now. The pictures I am posting are of members trucks that I like the stance on. Not sure what drops they are running but that is what I am after.

Thinking about doing drop spindes and drop springs up front and flip kit in rear. Keep in mind this is my first lowering attempt and know very little so if you have suggestions then please let me know. This is going to be my daily driver for the most part. I think the front end will be pretty straight forward replacing the spindles and springs. Will also be do new ball joints as well. As far as shocks go I have heard the drop shocks don't ride as well. I read something about after getting the truck lowered then do some measuring of some sort and buyiny regular shocks that will fit.

On the rear just how does the flip kit go on. Any links. Do I have to cut off anything and reweld? As of right now I am looking at Western Chassis products. Is this a good company to work with. Any others worth messing with? I am also running long tube headers right no too. I don't want to smash them. I also read that some run a 1" drop shackle with their flip kit. Is this to just get another inch or to level the truck out.

I know I am asking alot of questions but I know you guys know best. I am sure that I will have a ton more of questions but hopefully this will get me started. Oh one last thing. How long would it take me to put this drop on. I have all my own tools and am very capable of doing this. Just trying to figure out how long I will be tying up my shop.

Here are the pics of the trucks that I want mine to look like. Not sure of what drops they. These are members trucks so I hope no one get upset that I posted them. Thanks

[rs74]

Here is one more. I think I like how the blue truck above sets the best.

[rs74]

Okay one more question for now. I think a member had said that if I order new rims then get 4" bs for the front on 15x8's and 5" bs on 15x10's for the rear and everything should tuck in pretty good. Sound right?

[77ChevySharkBite]

I'm kind of new the game myself the tires your wanting to run you should be fine, now how low you want to drop that's ultimately your decision if your wanting 4/6 belltech has a kit with shock included I think for a little over $1000 w/o shipping and tax. I would believe you should be fine with a 4/6 drop and not have to worry about the headers hitting but don't quote me. If you rather be safe than sorry you can always start out 3/5 see if you want lower and just grab the couple extra parts and you have your 4/6.

As far as the rims I have no clue. I'll have to let someone else answer that question, but I hope the information I gave you was helpful, and I made it clear for you to understand.

[rs74]

Got some pricing from Western Chassis for spindles, springs, flip kit and drop shackles fo far. Also got a price for the WV 037 vette rallies with rings and caps. Do the photos of the trucks look like the are in the 4/6 or 5/7 area.

[rs74]

Not wanting to C-notch either.

[slugish]

Originally Posted by rs74

Got some pricing from Western Chassis for spindles, springs, flip kit and drop shackles fo far. Also got a price for the WV 037 vette rallies with rings and caps. Do the photos of the trucks look like the are in the 4/6 or 5/7 area.

looks like they are 5/7 to me cause thats what I have & they look similiar

Be careful on your front selection .I have 5.5 bs,ing on 8x17 in rims on the front . I could have gotten by with 5 & still shoulnt be a rubbing issue , but 4 on the front ,I dont know . better get more advice from others especially those that are running 4 in bs on the front . Good luck

Rear should be no problem & tuck very nice

[rs74]

Well s!*t. My lowering plans may have just been pushed back. I have been under my truck doing some brake work and trying to figure out what year of rear end I have got. More rust repair coming my way that I didn't realize. I decided to roll around under the truck on my creeper and was finding things I didn't like to see.

Unless I can find a killer deal on some lowering component I will probably have to wait. I will be looking at a 5/7 drop I believe. Rims are probably on hold to until I see where I am at. Will probably have to pull the cab and bed off frame and just start with the frame and work my way up. This is more than I wanted to get this truck on the road. I guess this is what I get for letting it set in the shed for the 7-8 years.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by rs74

Well s!*t. My lowering plans may have just been pushed back. I have been under my truck doing some brake work and trying to figure out what year of rear end I have got. More rust repair coming my way that I didn't realize. I decided to roll around under the truck on my creeper and was finding things I didn't like to see.

Unless I can find a killer deal on some lowering component I will probably have to wait. I will be looking at a 5/7 drop I believe. Rims are probably on hold to until I see where I am at. Will probably have to pull the cab and bed off frame and just start with the frame and work my way up. This is more than I wanted to get this truck on the road. I guess this is what I get for letting it set in the shed for the 7-8 years.

Dang man sorry to hear about the rust and ither things you found you didn't like, sorry for my late response I was working out, do research on the 5/7 cause you might have to c-notch I know for sure a 4/6 you wouldn't but 5/7 not entirely sure.
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[bbbc10]

the black and silver is mine...I have a 5/6 drop right now...the rear tires are 275/60/15 and the rear wheels are 15x10 with 5" backspacing...you can do a 6" drop in the rear without doing a c-notch...im going to drop the rear a 1" to make it 7" drop in the rear but I have to go to a 295/50/15 tire cause the 275/60/15 will rub with a 7" drop. the front is 2.5" western chassis springs and spindles....the front tire is 255/60/15 but if I had to do it again I would go with a 245/60/15 do to I rub a lot on bumps on the fender wells.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by bbbc10

the black and silver is mine...I have a 5/6 drop right now...the rear tires are 275/60/15 and the rear wheels are 15x10 with 5" backspacing...you can do a 6" drop in the rear without doing a c-notch...im going to drop the rear a 1" to make it 7" drop in the rear but I have to go to a 295/50/15 tire cause the 275/60/15 will rub with a 7" drop. the front is 2.5" western chassis springs and spindles....the front tire is 255/60/15 but if I had to do it again I would go with a 245/60/15 do to I rub a lot on bumps on the fender wells.

Great! That is want I want to here. I am glad you seen this. I am running 295/50/15's already but would have to slim down the front tires. What is your bs on the rims. I am assuming you have 8's up front. Did you just do a flip kit in the rear and going to add a drop shackle with it. What shocks are you running and how does it ride with them. Thanks.

[bbbc10]

the front is the factory 15x8 rallys..... but im not to sure on the bs it might be 4" but im that 100% on that. I used belltech flip kit and c-notch for the 6" drop...but im adding 1" lowering blocks to get the 7" drop also im adding western chassis shock extenders on the rear....I have belltech drop shocks all around...it rides great on the highway an smooth roads...but once u get on a really bumpy road it rides ruff.

[rs74]

How much drop does just a flip kit give you on these trucks. From the numbers I see on her from everyones drop it seems that if you lower the front then the rear is usually 2" lower. Does this usually give a little rake or do they set pretty level that way.

[bbbc10]

Well mine has a rack to it...thats why im droping mine another inch in the rear to make it sit level....these trucks from the factory was 2" higher in the rear ....i got 6" of drop from my flip kit...
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[fxdxharley]

You will love the 4/6 drop. it levels the truck out but still leaves a small rake. if your wanting to run 295/50-15 in the rear you will need a 10" wide wheel. the 8 will give you to much sidewall bulge and will handle like poop. 8" wheel in the front with either the 255 or 265 will be good. also no c notch need with the 6" flip kit.