How to lower my ride? Please help a newbie.

[los-lowrider]

Hi, I hope some of you can give me some advices how to lower my PU.
I know that here are several topics about lowering but I don't know if this set-up's will work on my pu.
My first idea was to lower with an air ride system from airride technologies, but the costs are very high.
So I don't know if a normal lowering won't work also.
I don't want to channel the frame. So how low can I go and what set up would you specialists advice me?
I enclose a picture of my pu.
Thank you.
I am very thankful for any advice or tip. I am from Germany so it isn't easy for me to get a tip from people who know what they are talkin about.

[Captkaos]

Well, regardless of how you lower it, static or airbags, you still will need lowering components. How low are you wanting to go? 5/7 is about as low as you would go on a street setup around here, but it really just depends on what you are willing to put up with.

[los-lowrider]

Well I want to go as low as possible to get this bad look. Air ride would be my first choice but I would also take a static lowering. I want to have a rideable set-up. Also itwould be nice to tow something but this is not the first premisse.

[bigarmzz]

if you want to go "reasonably" cheap.....do a flip kit for the rear (approx $79 from western chassis)...and you could do 2.5" drop springs for the front (approx $100 from western as well)

that'd give ya a decent stance...and not break your wallet...

or for the famous 5/7 drop...

do the flip for the rear, (that'd give ya about 5"), plus 2" drop shackles

then...

for the front do....drop spindles, then the springs..for the 5" in the front...

this is basically what i have... and with my lowering shocks, it rides nearly like a cadillac

but, i really would advise ya to stick with western chassis, and belltech components....there both top of the line in my opinion

[Prerunner1982]

welcome, we dont have many long steps on here... espeically one that nice...

[gchemist]

Check my website when it's not down due to too much bandwidth use.
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

[los-lowrider]

Well, the Western 5/7 deluxe drop kit looks great to me. Is this kit really driveable?
Also I couldn't find further information to the rear air system. Do they use an airbag or a´kind of highjacker?
Is this price cheap? As far as I can see the hole kit with shocks costs 870$.
Do you think this is the right choice for me?

[los-lowrider]

Please be so kind to send some pictures of a 5/7 lowering!
Thank you!!!!!!

[Turbo85GMC]

This is a picture I have saved as "a 5/7 static drop w/ 18's and 20's". It's from here, I think it's Scoti's truck.

[los-lowrider]

This looks awesome! This is what I want. Is it possible to tow with this ride height?

[Slonaker]

Nice truck! My father had one of those when I was a kid.

Originally Posted by los-lowrider

This looks awesome! This is what I want. Is it possible to tow with this ride height?

http://207.44.196.117/vboard/showthread.php3?t=166233

Slonaker

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by los-lowrider

This looks awesome! This is what I want. Is it possible to tow with this ride height?

I would say as you see it no it's not possible. If you drop it, then add some helper air bags it very possible....

[los-lowrider]

@N2TRUX
I looked at your photo album. Congratulations to this cool cheyenne. What set up do you use and what does something approx. cost?

[bigarmzz]

yeah n2trux, your 77 sits perfect man


what exact drop is that? rims/tires, etc?

look sweeet

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by los-lowrider

@N2TRUX
I looked at your photo album. Congratulations to this cool cheyenne. What set up do you use and what does something approx. cost?

Originally Posted by bigarmzz

yeah n2trux, your 77 sits perfect man what exact drop is that? rims/tires, etc?

Guys thanks for the compliments.
los-lowrider- If you decide to go with a 5/7 drop and need to tow, take a look at this thread- anyone here tow with lowered truck? - bigarmzz It shows you what I recommend for towing with a static drop.

If you want to bag it, that's another story. If you buy a complete kit from a reliable company like Air Ride Technologies you will probably spend around $3000.00 if you pay someone to have it installed. You can save quit a bit of money by ordering all the pieces needed from Jason at Suicide Doors especially if you do the labor yourself.

Regarding the set up on my 77, it has the following-

Front-
Air Ride Tech bag plates
Firestone bags
3" DJM Spindles
Custom made bump stops

Rear-
Air Ride Tech over leaf kit
Firestone bags
2" shackle
Custom made C-notch

Wheels-
Billet Specialties- "VinTec"
Front- 20x8.5
Rear- 20x9

Tires-
BFG G-Force
245/40/20
295/40/20

Air Ride Tech "Big Red" 3/8" valves
Air Ride Tech digital gauge
ViAir compressor

[matthufham]

his is bagged i know that much

[los-lowrider]

Hey guys, please let me know if the 5/7 choise is correct and if this uper mentionent price is ok. Or should I better think about an airride system?
Thank you all, Michel.

[squint]

I am thinking of getting the '73-'87 C-10/C-15 3"/5" Deluxe Drop for my truck.. but I am not sure if want to go that low..

does anyone have a picture of a 73-87 C10 with 255/60R15 ( front ) and 275/60R15 ( back )..

I like the wheels I have and just bought new tires.. so i dont want to have to change these..

Will i have any clearance issues..

[los-lowrider]

@N2TRUX: Thank you for the detailed list of your components. I guess an airride is not in my budget. So I will take the 5/7 static. Regarding the towing - it would be nice to be able to tow a camping trailer with only 700 pound but if it doesn't work; no problem.
But if I understand the components of this kit right this should be possible, because it is an additional helper airbag included. So my imagine is that you can go 5/7 normal and if it is needed you can put the back an inch or two higher. And this in combination with such a hid-a-hitch out of the thread you postet shoul work, doesn'n it?
Will I get problems with my tires? They are 275/60/15 all around.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by los-lowrider

.... Regarding the towing - it would be nice to be able to tow a camping trailer with only 700 pound but if it doesn't work; no problem. ...

I suggest get the static drop first. Then try towing your trailer a short distance. I'm guessing it going to cause the rear to bottom out pretty bad. You could add air shocks as a cheaper alternative to the helper bags. The air shocks will have a negative effect on your ride though..

But if I understand the components of this kit right this should be possible, because it is an additional helper airbag included. So my imagine is that you can go 5/7 normal and if it is needed you can put the back an inch or two higher. And this in combination with such a hid-a-hitch out of the thread you postet shoul work, doesn'n it?.

I think this would be your best combination...

Will I get problems with my tires? They are 275/60/15 all around.

I will let the other guys varify this, but I think your going to have problems in the front with a 5/7 drop and 275/60/15 tires. Your probably going to need a shorter tire up front, or all the way around if you want it to set level.

[los-lowrider]

A big thank you to all for your feedback!I will order an 5/7 static. Can anyone tell me which tire rim combo works? As i have seen on other threads I have to change my 275/60/15.

[los-lowrider]

Hi, I have a problem with sport truck direct. I wanted to order a complete lowering set 5/7 from western chassis. So I wrote them several e-mails to let me know with what charges for freight and handling I have to count. Unfortunately nobody answered me. So I thought ok maybe they have a problem with their server or whatever. I sent them two faxes but also no response.
What do you think, is that normal? I don't know if this is their kind of customer support, but not i my oppinion.
I find their behaviour is really impolite. On my opinion it is absolutely ok to check out the costs before because I order from Germany and the additional costs are sky high. Please let me know your opinion!

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by los-lowrider

Hi, I have a problem with sport truck direct. I wanted to order a complete lowering set 5/7 from western chassis. So I wrote them several e-mails to let me know with what charges for freight and handling I have to count. Unfortunately nobody answered me. So I thought ok maybe they have a problem with their server or whatever. I sent them two faxes but also no response.
What do you think, is that normal? I don't know if this is their kind of customer support, but not i my oppinion.
I find their behaviour is really impolite. On my opinion it is absolutely ok to check out the costs before because I order from Germany and the additional costs are sky high. Please let me know your opinion!

I emailed them 2 or 3 times after they were recommended here. I was asking about spending about $600, and they never bothered to respond. I took my business to another place.

I bought my Western Chassis drop components from http://www.performancesuspension.com. I had no problems with them.

Slonaker

[Crush]

I've never had any problems with Sport Truck Direct, although they can take a little while to get back with you at times.

I think in your case the 5/7 is going to be the best "bang for the buck". I'm running the 5/7 WC kit that I've altered to make it 6/8.

Let me know what wheel size you're looking at running....I'm sure we can help choose a good setup!

Nice long steeper you got there man...should look REAL nice after suspension/wheels!

[los-lowrider]

Hi Crush, at the moment I have a set of 275/60/15 al around. Some other members told me that I will get problems in front. But I want it so low, so in case of that it doen't fit I am thinking about a new set of 18 in front and 20 in the rear. But I hope it will fit because I love my rims. What do think? Will it work or not?