Lowering Questions

[old51sedan]

Wanting to lower my 69 truck a little and also change to front disks. Thinking of changing to the 2&1/2" drop spindles on the front and 3" or 4" lowering coils on the back, (has trailing arms) My question is will 3" drop it enough to make it level or should I do the 4" spring? I already have new axles and everything to change to 5 lug wheels. I'd like to only do this once.

[RustyBucket]

2.5 dropped spindles w/1 coil cut & I have 4" drop springs on the rear with a 1" lowering block. Pretty much level... the front cut coil and 1" block just made the tire/fender clearance a little closer. 255/60/15's all around until recently replaced worn rears w/275/60's.

[BugzC10]

2.5” drop spindles + 2” drop springs front with 4” drop springs + 1.75” block I. Rear. Pretty close to level..little rake. So I would guess 3/4.5 drop would get you close to level.

[RustyBucket]

Bugz, pm sent

[RustyBucket]

OLD51, additionally, I bought the CPP shock relocation kit, shocks, and an adj. track bar. I'd call the ride **fair**. I think cut coil in the front makes it a little harsh or stiff. I probably should have bought 1" lowering springs for the front.

[Ekliptix]

My rear is dropped 2" lower then the front and I have a slight rake. I think you'll need 2-2.5" lower in the rear vs the front drop to be level, so with a 2.5" drop spindle, a 4.5"-5" drop in the rear should be close to level.

Front dropped 4.5" (2.5" spindle + 2" coil)
Rear dropped 6.5" (1/2" block + 6" coil)

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by Ekliptix

My rear is dropped 2" lower then the front and I have a slight rake. I think you'll need 2-2.5" lower in the rear vs the front drop to be level, so with a 2.5" drop spindle, a 4.5"-5" drop in the rear should be close to level.

Front dropped 4.5" (2.5" spindle + 2" coil)
Rear dropped 6.5" (1/2" block + 6" coil)

Are you knotched in he rear?

[Ekliptix]

Originally Posted by BugzC10

Are you knotched in he rear?

No sir. No issues in 5000 miles of driving. I did cut the bump stops down by 1/2. Others have reported the need to do a c notch with a 5" drop, so not all trucks may be identical in this need.

[old51sedan]

Thanks guys for the replies, I don't really want too much of a drop. The truck sits high in the back now, that's why I'm questioning whether to go with the 3 or 4 inch drop springs. If The drop spindles in the front are a true 2-1/2" drop then it seems 3" in the back should be enough, but I'm not sure.

[Ekliptix]

In my experience, you'll have a slight rake with a 3" drop spring in the rear, with those front spindles. Even 4" will have a slight rake. As mentioned, to be level, you need 2 to 2.5" more drop in the rear then the front. That's my experience with my setup.

[RustyBucket]

Here's my truck with 3" springs on the rear / 2.5 spindles front not long after I bought it. ..... before the 4" springs & the 1" block. No rear bumper makes it look higher too, but you can see the difference from my earlier post pic. I didn't like the big gap between the fender lip and the tire.

[OARNGESI]

3in will be slightly high in back 4in and it will slant to the rear slightly

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

Here's my truck with 3" springs on the rear / 2.5 spindles front not long after I bought it. ..... before the 4" springs & the 1" block. No rear bumper makes it look higher too, but you can see the difference from my earlier post pic. I didn't like the big gap between the fender lip and the tire.

I believe that pretty much settles it. Along with the 2&1/2 inch drop spindles I will use the 4" drop springs instead of the 3". I just want to lower it enough so that I don't have to climb up into it and I want the disk brakes also.

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

I believe that pretty much settles it. Along with the 2&1/2 inch drop spindles I will use the 4" drop springs instead of the 3". I just want to lower it enough so that I don't have to climb up into it and I want the disk brakes also.

Going that route you can easily add a block to the rear to dial in the level look at a later date. Just make sure you leave the axle U bolts long enough for future adjustments if you are going to change them.