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10-03-2015, 11:21 PM | #1 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
I plan on doing this in phases (surprise). First phase will be the Lowering phase with brand new proper height 2" shorter coil springs up front and 2" longer leaf spring shackles in rear.
Now why are we doing this? Your truck is just fine Greg leave it alone, GM knows what they is doing. Well, Rusty is a 2WD two wheel drive, not a 4x4 so it sits a bit too high, and more importantly I have never done this before. I have never lowered any vehicle (my '69 Bug excluded) so I needs to and wants to learn how its done. Some pricing comparison fer you: PART - - - - - LMC - - - - - McGAUGHYS Springs - - - $150 - - - - - - - $129 Shackles - - $60 - - - - - - - $47 So I ordered from McGauphys (I am not afiliated with them in any way) this is my first purchase from them, found them on eBay but decided to order direct from their website, I believe they are out of Phoenix, Arizona. FREE shipping and no TAX Last edited by Gregski; 10-03-2015 at 11:26 PM. |
10-03-2015, 11:39 PM | #2 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
alright so first we take some measurements
Disclaimer the numbers I give you may not match the photos as it was tough to keep the tape from moving when I backed away to take the photos Front fender above wheel center - 31 1/4 inches Rear fender above wheel center - 32 1/4 inches I also measured the gaps between the top of the tire and the fenders. Front Gap 3 1/2 inches Rear Gap 4 1/2 inches I was too lazy to check the tire pressure so I may be 1/4 inch lower all the way around than normal (compared to my numbers I took a few months ago when I had the tires inflated to I think 35 PSI) |
10-04-2015, 09:16 AM | #3 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Good to see you back at it ,Im still in.Busted Knuckle Garage just happens to be my fictional garage name used on my account at the local parts store so I get a nice discount and free delivery to my work which was their idea as they wont deliver to a non business.
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10-04-2015, 06:00 PM | #4 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
I feel the suspension will go down
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10-05-2015, 04:29 PM | #5 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
He's still at it!
Last edited by MannyDantyla; 10-05-2015 at 04:37 PM. |
10-05-2015, 04:36 PM | #6 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
How many quarts of Herculiner did you need? Do you recommend it?
I'm painting the inside of my bed soon, like this week maybe. I was going to use Rustoleum bed liner but I just used it on my floorboards and it doesn't have a nice texture like the way yours turned out, from the looks of the pics at least. |
10-06-2015, 09:52 PM | #7 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Sorry but I don't recall but it's in the original thread how many I used.
Yes I would, make sure you do two coats, I'm not sure if I did two coats but two coats gives you better eveness. Also this stuff is pretty rough / lumpy / harsh (big speckles not tiny ones like some) you wouldn't want to slide your butt on it, LOL, but hey its durable |
10-06-2015, 09:55 PM | #8 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Ah Yeah.... Christmas in October, baby!!!
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10-06-2015, 11:30 PM | #9 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
FYI, each one of those front coil springs weighs 15 lbs. wow
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10-07-2015, 02:45 AM | #10 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
guys I don't mean to ask a dumb question but did all C10 1/2 ton short bed trucks come with a stabilizer bar in the front in 1974, as seen in the graphic below from a 1974 Manual, cause my GMC aint got one, no bar, no brackets on the frame rails, but it does have the holes for them and holes in the lower control arms
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10-07-2015, 03:53 AM | #11 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
No, my 80 doesn't have any of that either. But I have seen plenty of trucks with the brackets on the frame but no sway bar.
I'll be adding a sway bar from a 1 ton later on.
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10-07-2015, 04:30 AM | #12 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Like any other car or truck of the 60s 70s 80s etc.... it was probably an option.... check the box on the order form get a sway bar; don't check the box, no sway bar for you...
Just head to the junk yard and grab one off a 3/4 ton truck... |
10-07-2015, 09:38 AM | #13 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Sway bars came in multiple sizes. Whichever sway bar you grab you need to ensure you get the proper bushings.
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10-07-2015, 07:38 PM | #14 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Thank you all for replying, this reply in particular makes sense, it must have been so cool to go car / truck shopping back then when it actually mattered and meant something, as compared to these days when we buy essentially appliances with useless dealer options / add ons, I don't mean to turn this in to a tangent rant, but recently I leased a vehicle that came with a stupid bundle that included the reverse camera, give me a break, no seriously give me the $1,500 bucks off and keep your stupid camera
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10-07-2015, 04:08 PM | #15 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
I didn't have the one on my 76 but I added one later own. I personally cannot tell a difference in handling. I'm sure it probably does but I never could really really tell a difference. I think if I drove my truck really hard I would have noticed a difference. Can't wait to see your truck lowered.
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10-07-2015, 07:40 PM | #16 | |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Quote:
Yeah you and me both Rusty! |
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10-07-2015, 08:12 PM | #17 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
there was actually a thread that stated the pros and cons.......and I swear some said their truck handled worse after adding sway bars. I can't remember why or how it felt worse but maybe do a search for that particular thread.
I can't wait to see pics as you install the lowering kit ! RIZ |
10-07-2015, 09:17 PM | #18 | |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Quote:
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10-07-2015, 04:21 PM | #19 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Get one..You won't be sorry.
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10-08-2015, 10:39 AM | #20 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Well good morning, took a day off today to work on the truck. I would like to see if we can lower it 2 inches all the way around in one day. My teenage son offered to help. Now we don't have to get it done in one day, we don't need to get it done in one day, but we want to see if we can. So after I put some pants on and have a cup of coffee we will commence at 0800 hours. As we take some breaks I will try to give you guys some live updates to help document the process, maybe ask for some advice, etc.
So Rule #1. Don't Get Dead! |
10-08-2015, 10:41 AM | #21 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Sweet! Good luck! You know you might have to trim the bed floor brace to fit the new shackle in right? No big deal as long as your prepared for it.
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10-08-2015, 01:25 PM | #22 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
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10-08-2015, 01:39 PM | #23 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Alright so two hours later one side was out. This side I figure took a bit longer as there was some figuring out to do.
so you jack up the truck and set it on a jack stand, I only did one corner for extra safety and stability you remove the front shock lower bolt and wiggle it out of the way (if you have a stabilizer bar you need to remove that as well, I didn't) Remember, Cheater Bars are your friend! Last edited by Gregski; 10-08-2015 at 01:47 PM. |
10-08-2015, 01:40 PM | #24 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
Please note the two safety precautions I took.
1. I used a chain to wrap and secure the coil spring to the lower control arm so it don't go flying across the garage. 2. I used a hold down strap to wrap around a bunch of times over the top of the jack and the round rear bar of the lower control arm, so as I lowered it the jack would not slide out. |
10-08-2015, 01:43 PM | #25 |
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Re: Restoring Rusty
then you undo the two horse shoe U bolts held on with 2 nuts on each side, (you may have to dig through some dirt and grime to find them, I did not get too caught up in clean up during this operation as I will paint these parts later, later on) this separates the lower control arm from below the cross member/fame rail
that is the key you undo the back of the setup, not the front like on every TV show we have seen where they go to replace the spindles Last edited by Gregski; 10-08-2015 at 01:49 PM. |
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