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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 371
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Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Well I finally found me a single cab dually that I've been on the search for. I picked up a 1985 C30, it was painted Prowler Orange Metallic back in 1995. Needs a little TLC (both rockers, inner and outer) and then some electrical work. Might be making a build thread soon...
So with all that said, I've always wanted to pull my 65 C10 with a 80's or 90's dually. I'm wanting to lower it and have done my research, but a few things worry me. I do not want to put air on it; unless it's air lift for a load. I have enough spare stuff now to do that. I really don't want to C-Notch it, although that seem's to be the only option. So has anyone done a simple BellTech shackle kit and drop spindles, and towed with it? I've also thought about doing the leaf spring removal but afraid of sag if the overload spring is out. I'm new to the leaf spring world so share some knowledge PLEASE... To entise you here is my new dually and what will be behind it! |
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#2 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,726
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
If your going to tow and lower it you really want to consider the helper bags. Otherwise I don't know 1tons well enough to give more advice. Sweet looking trucks though!
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Temple City
Posts: 3,590
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
This. Helper air bags work wonders. Plus you can remove the over loads for a nicer ride when empty.
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#4 | ||
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 371
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Quote:
Quote:
Any idea anyone how much of a drop removing the overload would give? Could it potentially create any sag? I do not want to do a flip kit, I've watched a few rear ends flip up when under load. Not a fun fix on the highway. haha |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Temple City
Posts: 3,590
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
On my C20 Camper special I got almost a 2" drop. What you have to do is measure the overload pack to determine drop since different packs will be different thickness.
You won't get sag unless your Running heavy all the time. On my C20 before mods it took something like 2500 pounds to sag the springs 1 inch. After mods it was closer to 750 for 1 inch. But it rode better, and helper bags would of fixed that. Depending on what your goals are a axle flip can be a good mod. For traction, and especially wheel hop it holds a advantage. When I modded my C20 I used long F150 3 inch wide springs i got for free. I had to custom up some frame mounts. So it was flipped axle, and shackle flip. With it I could bomb around dirt roads, and it was quite nice. But C30's have short springs which help control heavy loads better then my longer spring C20 could hope to. Much less the even longer F150 springs i added. A factory C30 rode jerky even compared to my CS C20, and both are not as nice as a heavy duty C10 or light duty C20. So for anything to be better it all depends on the standards to which better is determined. You need to decide what you want the truck to do, and height at which you want it to sit. Then you can determine the best ways to cheat the results to your desires. As for not wanting to notch the frame I get it if your going to work the truck hard. Otherwise notch it, and drop it to the height you sound like you may really want. Just weld in some reinforcement plates. |
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#6 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 371
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Roscommon, Michigan
Posts: 100
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
I tow with mine. It's a 6/8 drop with a c-notch, overload spring removed and helper airbags. I don't need much air in the bags with this trailer but it is only about 5,000 pounds loaded up. I find that it gets really bouncy if I have more than 5 psi in the bags.
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#8 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 371
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Quote:
Been doing some more reading, and from the sounds of it anything over a 4" drop needs C-Notch, so I'm guessing I may be stuck doing one. I love these big a$$ trucks though. So fun! |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Roscommon, Michigan
Posts: 100
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
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#10 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 371
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
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#11 | |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,698
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Quote:
That’s why you have interference with the pitman arm.
__________________
Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Roscommon, Michigan
Posts: 100
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Quote:
You are correct that it is backwards and upside down but that's because belltech machines the steering arm for the tie rod end to be installed like mine is. It's as if the steering arm is too high in relation to the spindle. I will take a look tomorrow and see if flipping that center link will improve it at all. I am afraid my solution is new spindles but we shall see. |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,970
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Quote:
I now have another tow pig ('99 OBS CC SWB). I purchased a flip kit for this one as well but will add lift shackles to add a little height back into the mix. I'll add an AOL set-up (home built) for trailer duty needs. The math says I should yield a 5/7 drop when all the parts are combined which prob would have worked on my Square as well & been easier. My standard suggestions to C20/C30 owners wanting to do typical bolt-in C-sections: Find someone who does an under bed notch that has more beef to the brackets vs. a Belltech or Western Chassis standard bolt-in c-section.... especially if you keep the leafs & tow. That's a lot of stress on that section of frame for it to only be 2" tall.
__________________
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. Last edited by SCOTI; 08-28-2020 at 09:47 AM. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Catskill Mountains,NY
Posts: 8,478
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
No help but was this taken this year at the c10 nationals?
__________________
Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary. |
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 371
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
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#16 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 371
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Quote:
Thanks Scoti for replying, I was awaiting your reply. When I searched for lowering Dually, your name came up a bunch. haha So as of now I'm thinking of doing a simple 3" - 4" drop with helper bags. Should look decent with the Semi wheels that I'll have to sell my kids to purchase. Would've never expected them to be that dang expensive. |
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,970
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Re: Lowering and Towing with a Dually
Quote:
On my '99, I'm using a bolt-in Belltech c-notch, notching the bed floor supports above the frame rail (they're ~2.25" tall), boxing the inside of the rail, & welding a section of 2x2x.250" wall square tube to the top of the notch. By doing this, my fame rail height will only be <1" different vs unmodified/stock height. It was stressed to me by the engineer that those C-sections that are ~2" rail height 'weak spots' above the axle tubes combined w/towing loads & a leaf spring arrangement (anchor points 2' in front/behind those weak spots) are not a good idea & def not as safe as un-cut engineered rail. The 3-4" drop will look good too. And those semi wheels.... I'll say 'yes' they're a nice addition but just not worth the $$ in the big picture to me. But, it's a personal thing. You can't go to an event & not come across a dozen big Squares or other dually's w/them on. Oooooo…. Wow. The guys not running 22's & still looking good? They're doing something right. I guess my perspective is the semi's/22" deal are like the old Boss 338's/current Billet Specialties Speedways. They were/are everywhere @ shows. Now.... A custom 20/22 set-up on a dually? That would peek my interest.
__________________
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. Last edited by SCOTI; 08-28-2020 at 11:09 AM. |
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c10, c30, dually, lower, lowering |
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