2" drop on the front of an '87 shorty - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

norville · 02-04-2005, 09:18 AM

Hello,

I'm thinking of using springs to drop the front of my 87. Here's the catch I have a v6. So do I need to order 3" drop springs??? my truck sit's close to level now and appears taller than most I've seen locally. They could be newer springs. Anybody have any Ideas??? I'll be doing a 2" shackle in the rear. As much as I want to go lower the roads and my driveway will not allow it. And I'll be running 29" tires.

thanks

norv

could someone drop this pic 2" for me.

thanks

dave2953 · 02-04-2005, 12:41 PM

Your truck looks pretty level now, so I think you should keep the same amount of drop front and rear. I haven't really seen a shackle drop, so I don't know if it's a true 2" or not. For example, a 3" spring drop may not be a true 3". It might be really close after the springs settle, but it's hard to tell until it's installed and driven. I would just go with 2" for now, let everything settle, and see how it sits. I went with 5" drop springs on the rear of my 68 and cut the front 1.5 coils, but my truck had lots of rake from the factory. Hope this helps some.

norville · 02-04-2005, 12:47 PM

Thnaks dave2953,

I guess my big concern is wether the 6cyl engines weight will effect to loading of the springs. Does the factory use the same springs for 6 and 8??

norv

Shev · 02-04-2005, 12:55 PM

You could always just lop a full coil off the top of the spring and see if you like the way it sits and rides. Alot of guys on the board have done and have had no problems with it and say it equals about a 2" drop. Just make sure you do a complete coil and don't heat the spring up too much doing it (use a cutoff wheel) Just FYI...my '88 burb was lowered 5" in front and I never had a problem with driveways (even steep ones0 or roads running a 30" tire...

norville · 02-04-2005, 01:04 PM

Shev, Welll you hit that one right on the head... I thought it was 3" per coil. So with that and some shackles I should have a sportier looking truck. I'm sure I'll want more .... maybe. This should keep me happy and an easy project too.

thanks

norv

Shev · 02-04-2005, 05:40 PM

It may be 3" per coil...I've been wrong before

I've got a DJM shackle and hanger kit if you are interested...I bought it for my '88 burb and never used it, burb and truck hangers are different. If you are interested pm me and I'll cut ya a deal...

AirMale · 02-04-2005, 06:58 PM

I have a set of 1 1/2" western chassis coils that I cut a full coil off of. You can have them as soon as I put my bags in, just pay shipping. These should be 2 1/2-3" of drop for ya. At least you'll only be out shipping if you want to change your mind...let me know. Jay

Tx Firefighter · 02-04-2005, 07:52 PM

You cut the bottom of the spring, not the top.

Fat Tom · 02-04-2005, 08:16 PM

You could just use a 2" drop spindle, then you know your gonna get 2" and no more or less. A 2" drop shackle kit should also give you exactly 2".

norville · 02-04-2005, 08:32 PM

Airmale, Pm me.. When you get your bags installed you got a deal... 18707

Shev did you say they are not the same. I have an 87 2wd short bed truck. I'd be interested if they'd fit...

thanks folks

norv

02-04-2005, 09:18 AM	#1
norville Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mountain Top, Pa Posts: 323	2" drop on the front of an '87 shorty Hello, I'm thinking of using springs to drop the front of my 87. Here's the catch I have a v6. So do I need to order 3" drop springs??? my truck sit's close to level now and appears taller than most I've seen locally. They could be newer springs. Anybody have any Ideas??? I'll be doing a 2" shackle in the rear. As much as I want to go lower the roads and my driveway will not allow it. And I'll be running 29" tires. thanks norv could someone drop this pic 2" for me. thanks __________________ 1986 C10 Scottsdale 5.3, TH400

02-04-2005, 12:47 PM	#3
norville Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mountain Top, Pa Posts: 323	Thnaks dave2953, I guess my big concern is wether the 6cyl engines weight will effect to loading of the springs. Does the factory use the same springs for 6 and 8?? norv __________________ 1986 C10 Scottsdale 5.3, TH400

02-04-2005, 12:55 PM	#4
Shev Head Peon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Imlay City MI Posts: 296	You could always just lop a full coil off the top of the spring and see if you like the way it sits and rides. Alot of guys on the board have done and have had no problems with it and say it equals about a 2" drop. Just make sure you do a complete coil and don't heat the spring up too much doing it (use a cutoff wheel) Just FYI...my '88 burb was lowered 5" in front and I never had a problem with driveways (even steep ones0 or roads running a 30" tire... __________________ '72 Suburban, factory tilt, tach, front & rear AC, front & rear disc brakes, 383/700-R4

02-04-2005, 01:04 PM	#5
norville Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mountain Top, Pa Posts: 323	Shev, Welll you hit that one right on the head... I thought it was 3" per coil. So with that and some shackles I should have a sportier looking truck. I'm sure I'll want more .... maybe. This should keep me happy and an easy project too. thanks norv __________________ 1986 C10 Scottsdale 5.3, TH400

02-04-2005, 05:40 PM	#6
Shev Head Peon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Imlay City MI Posts: 296	It may be 3" per coil...I've been wrong before I've got a DJM shackle and hanger kit if you are interested...I bought it for my '88 burb and never used it, burb and truck hangers are different. If you are interested pm me and I'll cut ya a deal... __________________ '72 Suburban, factory tilt, tach, front & rear AC, front & rear disc brakes, 383/700-R4 Last edited by Shev; 02-04-2005 at 06:07 PM.

02-04-2005, 12:41 PM	#2
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Your truck looks pretty level now, so I think you should keep the same amount of drop front and rear. I haven't really seen a shackle drop, so I don't know if it's a true 2" or not. For example, a 3" spring drop may not be a true 3". It might be really close after the springs settle, but it's hard to tell until it's installed and driven. I would just go with 2" for now, let everything settle, and see how it sits. I went with 5" drop springs on the rear of my 68 and cut the front 1.5 coils, but my truck had lots of rake from the factory. Hope this helps some.

02-04-2005, 06:58 PM	#7
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	I have a set of 1 1/2" western chassis coils that I cut a full coil off of. You can have them as soon as I put my bags in, just pay shipping. These should be 2 1/2-3" of drop for ya. At least you'll only be out shipping if you want to change your mind...let me know. Jay __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

02-04-2005, 07:52 PM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	You cut the bottom of the spring, not the top. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

02-04-2005, 08:16 PM	#9
Fat Tom Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada Posts: 42	You could just use a 2" drop spindle, then you know your gonna get 2" and no more or less. A 2" drop shackle kit should also give you exactly 2". __________________ 69 GMC 2wd 350cid 82 Toyota 4wd, 3.8L V6, 6" lift, 35's, locked and loaded 76 Datsun F10 1.4L *FOR SALE* 04 Honda Shadow 750

02-04-2005, 08:32 PM	#10
norville Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mountain Top, Pa Posts: 323	Airmale, Pm me.. When you get your bags installed you got a deal... 18707 Shev did you say they are not the same. I have an 87 2wd short bed truck. I'd be interested if they'd fit... thanks folks norv __________________ 1986 C10 Scottsdale 5.3, TH400



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