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#51 |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-2120R/?rtype=10
I found these at summit. Should work for the leaf springs and shackles. |
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#52 |
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: haysville,kansas
Posts: 524
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Cool project!!I have a 75 C20 longbed i lowered on eight 20s
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#53 |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Are the current shock locations going to work with the drop? The shocks attach to the inside of the frame.
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#54 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
What ways can i get the front lower than 6 inches. Right now I'm getting drop spindles and cutting the springs. I know for the rear I could also get a shackle kit to get it down more. I think my 6/8 drop idea will look good but I think the truck will still be sitting pretty high because its a one ton and its starting at such a high height.
The fenders are at 35 inches in the front and 37 inches in the rear. |
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#55 | |
It followed me home?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Yup
Posts: 5,751
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Quote:
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Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually |
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#56 |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
^^ Shorter tires within reason.... The 3/4 ~ 1-ton trucks just don't look right w/too short of a tire in the wells IMO.
3" spindles for sure. Cut 1-coil & see where things wind up or just buy some 2-3" drop springs. I don't like more than 2" of coil drop because then theres very limited travel w/the factory bump-stops in place. You can trim them, replace them w/something shorter, or remove them all together; but then you run into issues w/the tires buzzing the top of the inner wells or the lower control arm bushings hitting the road on moderate dips @ speed. Another option w/the spindles & shorter springs/bags is an aftermarket front x-member or notching an OE x-member. These allow for some additional drop that won't impact suspension travel. Of course, these alternatives aren't as easy as just opting for shorter springs either. It just depends . . .... Do you want uncompromised drop or are sacrifices acceptable? If sacrifices are acceptable, what's the cut-off point?
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#57 |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Thats what I was looking for. Thanks
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#58 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 3,595
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
hmmm just curious but do these older truck have to have a spring compressor like the newer vehicles? Just thinking for my future lowering
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PLEASE HELP WITH PROJECT UNDERHAULIN http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=306320 Gemini - 1978 GMC C15 High Sierra - 305 c/e - Given to Mother Electra - 1967 Mustang Coupe - 302/w 3 speed Build Chyna - 1968 Chevy C20 Long Stepper
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#59 |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
No. Shorter drop springs are pretty easy to install. Stock length springs are a bit more of a challenge but a compressor still isn't required.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#60 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Quote:
I agree. I have drop spindles, cut coils, I sectioned my crossmember 1.5" and a did a 2" Z on my truck. The crossmember and the Z are probably your best choices if you are wanting to go lower, but both take some work. You can also notch the frame around your crossmember to raise it up instead of sectioning it. DJM may make a drop control arm if you want to go that way. I lived in the thumb (Port Huron) for a short bit.
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74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now |
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#61 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
I think that I will stick with my original 6/8 plan right now and maybe in the future once I get this build under my belt I will go lower.
But out of curiosity who makes a front drop member for a 1 ton? |
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#62 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Quote:
As far as the 6/8 plan, C20's/30's sit higher vs C10's. A 6" drop on the C10 means getting rid of the bumpstops or suffering through very minimal suspension travel. Since the C20/30 sits higher, that same 6" front drop may be acceptable & have some travel while keeping the bumpstops. The notched factory x-member or a Dropmember would allow more clearance @ a similar drop height (or allow you to go lower w/the same spindles & springs depending on the goal).
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#63 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 1,022
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
nice truck, once you got the frame cleaned n prepped I would go with POR15 satin..its semi glossy and will stay that way if not exposed to sun.. since its a frame if should be an issue.
suggestion time would it be easier to install a 1/2 ton front cross member? if that baby was mine Id convert it to a 4x4..but thats me.. for someone in the RUST/ SALT belt u got a great solid truck.. western NY trucks that old are CRUSTY as im sure they are in MI good luck
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67/68 K/20 "The BEAST" 68 K15 V6 LWB. 73 K20 GMC Burb "The Bomber" 74 K/5 74 K20 Custom Deluxe 86 K10 Shorty 92 K2500 Burb 95 K2500 GMC Life is what you make it Live each day like it was your last Old GM Trucks never go out of style |
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#64 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Yeah its hard to find a truck around here new or old that isn't just covered in rust. This thing was a good find. I think that I said earlier in the thread that I have had 4x4's in the past and this time wanted to do something really different from what I'm use to. Not many truck like this around here at all. EVERYBODY lifts there trucks, people have no perception of dropping trucks round here and would just call it stupid.
I want to show people other options out there that can be done. What makes it even more unique is that this truck is a 1 ton! Lowering a 1 ton around here is even more absurd. I'm really looking forward to see where this project will take me. I really want to get a rendering done of this truck. Something to hang on the wall. |
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#65 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
Quote:
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#66 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
I'm hoping to start something around here. There are a lot of car clubs but not a ton lowered trucks.
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#67 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
The axle, leafs, shackles, and hubs are all out being sand blasted. I'm glad the POR 15 came in today because I can get metal prep and paint on the parts before the surface rust has a chance.
I got a chance to start on the POR 15 tonight and I want to let everyone know that I think that It is almost harder to do when the frame is in better condition. I had a lot of the original rubberized under coating that was sprayed on in the 70's still left intact and in good condition. I went ahead and wanted to do tall the steps leading up to the POR 15 paint so that I did it once and right the first time. So I started with the marine clean. I thought that this would go a lot faster but a good outcome can not be rushed. I had my wife's help tonight which was nice because scraping all the old grease and undercoating off really tested my patience, but she kept at it and got a lot done. We decided that we were going to do another coat of marine clean and let it sit all night tonight and then scrape and clean more tomorrow. Then if need be do a third coat. We were using the marine clean at 2:1 ratio with water. So its going really well, and another package came in today. The rear flip kit. This thing is heavy duty. All grade 8 hardware. I did have one question though, would you all coat the parts with POR 15? (keep in mind that everything is getting a coat of chassis black semi gloss). I'm starting to think I'll call this build the Husband and Wife build. She has been out there almost every time I am, once we get the kids down. Here is some pics of the the parts and progress... |
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#68 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=506935
I put this link in my build to keep all my info together. Also for anyone else in the future looking for info that might help. Its the link to a thread I started about the the correct spring saddle to have with your kit if you have a c20 or a c30.
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Project Second Life----1978 c35 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=503961 |
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#69 |
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Erie , Ontario
Posts: 525
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
I guess maybe I should have told you I power washed my frame first before marine cleaning my frame with hot water.
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#70 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
So where do I start. I don't have a lot of time to get a ton of work done on the truck all at once, so my time to update you guys is very minimal. I got the axle sand blasted and painted with two coats of POR 15 and then I top coated it using their topcoat.
Sorry for the lack of pictures, but the disc brake conversion went really well. It was a good learning experience. I put in all new bearings, races and seals. I also replaced the pinion seal. When I got the leaf springs back from the sand blaster I noticed that one the the springs had a crack in it, so I replaced that one and the other side also. I didn't want to replace both sides, but I'm pretty sure that it would of sat uneven. So I got them all painted and put back together. I went from nine springs to six springs. And I replaced all the hardware with new grade eight stuff. I was looking at the axle saddles that came with the kit and they were the wrong ones. You can see in the picture that the front is the right saddle Western Chassis had to resend and the back ones are the wrong ones. I had to weld these ones on slightly to ensure that they would not move. Here are a couple pictures to get you started but I have more updated coming. If you guys have any questions post them up, and I'll try and answer them. I hope this build will help other newbies who are trying to drop their one tons.
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Project Second Life----1978 c35 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=503961 |
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#71 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
A couple of leaf spring shots.
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Project Second Life----1978 c35 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=503961 |
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#72 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
The disc brake conversion kit that I bought was the diy4dx.com kit. It is beefy and fits pretty good, but there was only one issue. When trying to install the calipers, the outer brake pad was to tight and I could not get it over the rotor. This was due to the disc brake bracket being to far away towards the in side. So I put one washer of a gap on the inside of the disc brake bracket. It made the spacing near perfect. Here is a picture maybe you can see the washers and what I did.
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Project Second Life----1978 c35 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=503961 |
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#73 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 3,595
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
How much was that kit? Looks great!
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PLEASE HELP WITH PROJECT UNDERHAULIN http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=306320 Gemini - 1978 GMC C15 High Sierra - 305 c/e - Given to Mother Electra - 1967 Mustang Coupe - 302/w 3 speed Build Chyna - 1968 Chevy C20 Long Stepper
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#74 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
The kit was 380.00 but this cost me a lot more. Paint, sand blasting, new parts with no core exchange... As far as western chassis, they are nice but I had a few things that weren't so great. They sent the wrong spring saddles, and also the U bolts were WAY to long leaving me with no threads. So the saddles and u bolts were wrong, that was about half the kit. So I had to buy new u bolts.
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Project Second Life----1978 c35 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=503961 |
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#75 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: michigan
Posts: 223
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Re: 1978 GMC Sierra C35 "Project Second Life"
I think I got about 30'' or 32'' u bolts when i needed 20''.
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Project Second Life----1978 c35 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=503961 |
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