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Old 06-22-2015, 05:57 PM   #1
Richs'55
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Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

Lowered the front of the '81 C10 chassis 2" with drop springs and 3" with spindles.

The 2" drop make enough difference that the standard shock bottom out? What have others experienced with this.

I know that there is lowering shocks but the cost is so much more. Is it really required? Went to O'Reillys today and they couldn't find another shock in the book that would have a shorter compression than the 10" of the OEM shock.

Last edited by Richs'55; 06-23-2015 at 08:41 AM.
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Old 06-23-2015, 07:30 AM   #2
Rich84
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

Regular shocks work fine with a 2" drop.
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Old 06-23-2015, 08:02 AM   #3
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

Ive got stock shocks on both my trucks with a 2in drop and spindles. They work fine and the control arms will scrape the pavement before the shocks bottom out.
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Old 06-23-2015, 09:07 AM   #4
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

Please help a newbie out: Wouldn't the combination of 2" springs and 3" drop spindles equate to a 5" total drop? Wouldn't that much drop require a different shock than one of OEM length
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Old 06-23-2015, 09:39 AM   #5
andrewmp6
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

Yeas 3 inch drop spindles and 2 inch drop springs will get you 5 inches total drop.That low you would need different shocks are a taller upper shock mount.
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Old 06-23-2015, 11:41 AM   #6
UKNOWME
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

The only change in geometry is the spring since the spindle only moves the wheel upward. So only the spring is changining suspension travel. Stock shocks will work.
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Old 06-23-2015, 01:26 PM   #7
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

Quote:
Originally Posted by UKNOWME View Post
The only change in geometry is the spring since the spindle only moves the wheel upward. So only the spring is changining suspension travel. Stock shocks will work.
Correct.
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Old 06-23-2015, 01:42 PM   #8
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

I have about 3" spring drop. What is the BEST lowering shock I can use on the front?
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Old 06-23-2015, 01:43 PM   #9
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Re: Lowered front of '81 2 inches, need lowering shocks?

Quote:
Originally Posted by UKNOWME View Post
The only change in geometry is the spring since the spindle only moves the wheel upward. So only the spring is changining suspension travel. Stock shocks will work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom View Post
Correct.
Next Question: if the stock length shock could be used with a 5" drop, then how much, if any would the ride qualtiy suffer? And by extension, what if the tire size increased? Thanks guys for all of the help
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