How to drop the front end? How much?

[muthstryker]

Originally Posted by JAG66

Didn't intend to highjack, but are you saying you can use 2" drop spindles with stock 8" rallys without caliper or LCA interference? What brand?

The only interference you will ever have will be on the lower control arm. You would never run into caliper problems, everything moves up with the spindle. Thats why the LCA is always the problem. I was running newer steelie wheels (from the 88-98 trucks) and because they have more backspacing then the rallies, I had problems not much though, was maybe a MM if that. You should have no problem at all with any 2" Spindle and stock rallies off of the 73-87 trucks.

[muthstryker]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

Well, I wanted to be careful about the spindles. I was told 3" spindles would make my wheels rub the control arms. So I got the 2.5" spindles, and then went with the 3" coils. Guess I should have asked what problems that would cause. Why is it a bad idea?

Well 3" springs are going to ride like crap, You honestly should trim your stock springs before hand and see how it rides before you install the 3" springs. I have heard of peoples 3" springs popping out of the spring pockets. Plus, your going to have massive camber and its going to be a ***** to have it aligned properly not to mention tire wear.

[muthstryker]

Side note, Nice to know your going low the first time time around! Would suck to have to drop it, not be happy and drop it even more afterwards! Build it right the first time. (I should of followed my own rule but I got impatient not im rebuilding practically the whole truck! haha)

[PRattenbury]

Originally Posted by muthstryker

My truck is like a 5.5/8 Drop. I used 2.5" Drop spindles, 2" Drop Springs and I cut half a coil off of them.

Isn't cutting half a coil off a set of 2" drop springs the same as buying 3" springs????

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

Isn't cutting half a coil off a set of 2" drop springs the same as buying 3" springs????

If I were to choose between the two, I would go with cutting a 2" spring. The 2" spring will have a higher spring rate and won't be as soft as a stock 3" spring.

My "first" choice would be a 3" spindle and a stock spring with one coil cut off. Mod your lower A-arm if needed, and call it good.

[muthstryker]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

Isn't cutting half a coil off a set of 2" drop springs the same as buying 3" springs????

Ha ya, My bad.. The main thing is I think 3" Springs have more coils then the 2" Springs do, The difference when I cut half a coil was maybe .5"s. More coils just mean a stiffer ride. Thats why people say cutting the stock springs gives you the best ride. Its also going to depend on the shocks you are running. I have used a few different ones before I finally found one I loved, My friends that have ridden in my truck have also switched to the same shocks.

Belltech street performance shock. They are about 50$s each on stylintrucks.com

[muthstryker]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If I were to choose between the two, I would go with cutting a 2" spring. The 2" spring will have a higher spring rate and won't be as soft as a stock 3" spring.

I thought 3" Springs were shorter and had more coils to "compensate" for the difference? Am I reading it wrong?

[PRattenbury]

I was noticing some of the springs were adverstised as not being progressive rate springs. The ones I ordered are progressive. Not sure if that's good or bad, though. Good, I hope. :-)

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by muthstryker

I thought 3" Springs were shorter and had more coils to "compensate" for the difference? Am I reading it wrong?

Sorry, that should have been short not soft. Thinking and typing at the same time again....

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

I was noticing some of the springs were adverstised as not being progressive rate springs. The ones I ordered are progressive. Not sure if that's good or bad, though. Good, I hope. :-)

It may make a difference, but I doubt it. I have never had, or heard of any one having good results with a 3" spring on these trucks. No matter what, it is always best to get as much drop as possible from spindle first and spring next.

[PRattenbury]

Well crap. Should I send the springs back, then???

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

Well crap. Should I send the springs back, then???

Its your call. I am just basing this on my experience as well as what has been posted here by several other.

[PRattenbury]

Sounds like I'd better send em back, huh? I have stock springs, but I don't really dare use them. The truck was originally a six cylinder truck, and believe me when I tell you, this thing was beaten to a bloody pulp. Should I get 2" springs, then, and call it good? I am reluctant to cut my LCAs. Is that what y'all did to go as low as you have? I wish I had the funds to bag the truck, but it ain't cheap, or so it seems. 8 grand is a lotta ching.

[muthstryker]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

Sounds like I'd better send em back, huh? I have stock springs, but I don't really dare use them. The truck was originally a six cylinder truck, and believe me when I tell you, this thing was beaten to a bloody pulp. Should I get 2" springs, then, and call it good? I am reluctant to cut my LCAs.

Get 2" Springs and put them in, see how the truck looks. And adjust from there.

[J Lee]

I would stay away from the 3" springs for sure. When I did my burb I was in the same shoes as you, I needed the cheapest option possible so I went with 3" springs MISTAKE! Now I am having to live with a bone jarring ride on a daily basis.


Jeff

[PRattenbury]

I have no problem sending the springs back. I would like to go low a la Muthstryker and N2Trux, though. How much would just bagging the front cost?

[PRattenbury]

Okay, no bags. 2" springs and adjust from there. Aye.

[slugish]

Been running 2.5 spindles & 3 in coils for 6-7 yr's now . My springs are Eibach brand . Dont know if that makes any difference or not. Was close getting the frontend aligned but it was done > at the limit of adjustment . If Idid it over again would go with 3 in spindles with 2.5 springs . My ride is tolerable , but is not a daily driver. Good luck .

[muthstryker]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

Okay, no bags. 2" springs and adjust from there. Aye.

Yes.

[PRattenbury]

Okay, 2 inch springs are on the way. Got some frame and suspension cleaning and painting to do. And some ball joint and bushing pressing. Anybody know a good place to get a stock replacement engine and headlight wire harness? I don't mean some painless wiring kit. I mean one that was made to factory specs, please! Thanks for all the advice so far. It's helping fill in some blanks for me!

[Telecasterjoey]

Jag 66 you've gotta do a write up on how you lowered your truck! And also what size radial ta's are those??

[chevymotocross]

I went with belltech 2'' coils and Western Chassis 2.5'' spindles up front, flip kit and shackles in the rear. I love the stance, BUT it rides rough, but that's because of the rough roads around here in CT. Long winter means lots of plowing, which means lots of potholes in the spring and just F'd up roads.

Certainly drivable, has to be, since it's my transportation, but if I were to do it again, I'd go 2/4. I've been to two alignment shops, just to make sure the first wasn't joking, but when you put a 2'' drop coil, the amount of shims needed for camber is rediculous. I could only imagine 3'' springs, probably wouldn't have enough room on the camber studs for enough shims!

So I recommend the front drop I have for overall decent roads, and only a spindle drop for roads that are rough.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

...... How much would just bagging the front cost?

Why not do a simple paddle valve system? It's a no frills deal, but it will get you low if thats the way you want to go. Here's what Way2low2 has to offer in the Suspension Marketplace- LINK

Street Machinery
* way2lo2 *

Paddle Valve Special

For those of you looking for a simple air suspension system, I have exactly what you need.
For the month of March we are running a Forum Special on a complete Paddle Valve system.


* Here's what you get *
* 4 way paddle gauge panel *
* 4 airbags choice of dominator 2600 2500 or 9000 *
* Series 380c compressor, pressure switch relay *
*Firestone dual 3/8" NPT port 3 Gal. Tank*
* 100 feet of line, and all the necessary fittings *
* * $649.00 shipped * *

[Pop's C-10]

Originally Posted by JAG66

For a mild, noticable, inexpensive 2/3 drop for under $100: Cut one coil out of the front springs. Add shackles and remove a couple leafs in the back. You'll need the front camber reset. Just did this to mine last week, looks awesome and rides better than stock. My total money spent was $55 for the alignment.

That can be even cheaper by moving tha hangers up..

[grs]

My 87 has 2 and 1 half inch drop spindles , and 2 inch shorter coils in the front. A flip kit in the rear. It is to low in the front. I am installing stock coils in the front. I hope that will level the truck up. The Po did the work. He also cut the stop plate off of the lower A- Arm. Now the wheel will turn to much if I am not careful. I will have to live with that for now. It looks level in the drive way, but the drive way is slanted downhill.