Just ordered an ECE 4/6 drop kit...

[70jnktrk]

I have found ECE great to work with..I got through my 2 1/2 spindle/2 inch spring front and 6 maybe it was 5..in the rear[springs]...shocks relocated and new panhard bar..great products and a quick phone call away..it is well thought out! UPS due here on Tuesday, more stuff from ESC...70jnktrk

[OhOneWS6]

Originally Posted by ZKinZ

So I've hit a bit of a snag and I'm hoping someone can help convince me that I'm not crazy.

Installing this stuff is a little bit out of my realm of knowledge so I was going to have an acquaintance do it for me at his shop. When he got under the truck, he swears that I already have the same exact set-up (same spindles, coils, shocks in front and lowered leaf springs and shackles in the rear) as what came in the boxes from ECE. Problem is, the previous owner said that all he did to the front end was put in 2 1/2'' drop spindles in the front and shackles in the rear. Looking at my truck, I don't think there is any way that it's been lowered 4'' already in the front and 6'' in the rear.
I'm fairly new to these trucks still so maybe I'm delusional, but how much does my truck appear to be lowered to you guys?

Have you called ECE? They can help you measure your suspension height and get a better idea of what you have. You need to measure from the center line of the spindle to the top of the wheel arch on the front. For a 2" drop this should give you a measurement of around 18". On the rear I have no idea what you need to measure. My truck was coil springs and we measured the spring height. The guys at ECE are very helpful. They will help you figure it out if you call them.

If the original springs were used they may have sagged 2" in the last 40 years. That is conjunction with the drop spindles would be a 4.5" drop when compared to new off the line ride height.

Matt

[ZKinZ]

I finally had a full day to devote to doing this.
When I got it apart, I realized that I needed new tie rod ends, lower ball joint boots, coil compressor and longer u-bolts (I have leafs in the rear) so after 4 trips to the auto parts store (luckily there are 5 within 2 miles), I finally got it done. I'll post a finished pic in a bit. Thanks for all the advice and tips!

[caviness]

nice truck did u ever figure out what u had on the truck.

[ZKinZ]

Here are some "after" pics.
I plan to get some better ones tomorrow (weather permitting).

...and yes, I know my grass is out of control. I was going to cut it today, but working on the truck seemed like more fun. :P

[ZKinZ]

Originally Posted by caviness

nice truck did u ever figure out what u had on the truck.

Yeah. In the front it had 1" drop shocks (same as the ones from ECE, and 2" drop spindles with stock height coils. In the rear it had the stock height leaf springs with the 1 1/2" drop shackles and 1" drop shocks (again, same as from ECE). I replaced the front spindles, shocks and coils along with the rear shocks and leafs with the parts I got from ECE. I figured even though some were the same as what was on there, newer is better.
I also found out while under there that one of my front shock mounts and one of my rear leafs were a bit sloppy (the source of some irritating rattles and clunks). Took it for a test drive after we finished and she's now smooth and quiet. Sooo stoked!

[Sillyoldman]

Very nice. Love the color too. I almost painted mine b/w but decided to stay with the orig color.

[big_al_71]

Huge improvement on the new stance!!!

[Rafa72cheyenne]

Came out very good!
I have a 72 short bed
im about to do the 4.5/6 drop on it soon!
I have stock rallies with 275 60 15 tires all around, I heard that it rubs a bit up on the front fender.. anyone recommend a good tire size that will make my ride better? thanks!