How low should i go??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ProStreet83C10 · 12-18-2006, 04:29 PM

Hey guys, im getting ready to put my 83 a little closer to the ground. My question is how low should i go? I definitly want it to be noticably lower, but i do NOT wasnt it so low i cant load it on a trailer when i go to and from the drag track. I also would like to keep similar sized wheels/tires on it for now (275/60R15 on 15x8 wheels) Im thinking no more than a 2/4 or a 3/5. Let me have your guys input. Heres some pictures of it for pondering.

AesC10s · 12-18-2006, 04:36 PM

Bag It!!!

Slonaker · 12-18-2006, 04:54 PM

I don't know how much clearance you need to get it on the trailer, but this is what mine looks like lowered 2.5/4 with spindles/drop leaves. It still has about the clearance of a car. It never scrapes on speed bumps or going in and out of parking lots. I am running 255/70/15 tires on 8 inch rally wheels.

http://www.slonaker.net/gallery/albu...cs/c10_low.jpg

Slonaker

Blackstone · 12-18-2006, 05:16 PM

I'd 3/4 it for sure. Noticably lower, but practical ride height.

beaterC10 · 12-18-2006, 05:20 PM

I have a 3/5 daily driver. Only things I have to watch are curbs when parking and deep ruts/chuckholes. I would suggest going with 2.5 spindles instead of 3 spindles though, I had to swap out my 8" ralleys for 6.5" on the front to get clearance with the a-arms.

hiway · 12-18-2006, 05:55 PM

3/4

82c10 · 12-18-2006, 07:40 PM

5-7

ProStreet83C10 · 12-18-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82c10

5-7

no...

ProStreet83C10 · 12-18-2006, 08:08 PM

so basically do a 2.5-3/4

gchemist · 12-18-2006, 08:29 PM

Assuming you have 255/60/R15 tires like I do.....2.5/4 is perfect. Spindals and hanger shackel combo for the rear. Any lower on the front you have trouble. Replace the coils when you drop it. New coils will help keep the front tire from rubbing on the fender. I would use a grinder and trim the inside of the fender too.

Take a look at the pictures in my signature. The front tires are 235/60R15 and the rears are 255/60R15. The front tires rub because of worn coils. Now I run 245/60/R15 in the front.

beaterC10 · 12-18-2006, 08:37 PM

I would go with a 5 drop in the rear using a flip kit. It's cheaper than drop leaf springs, you keep the stock load capacity, and it's probably less work than shackles and hangers. The potential downside of a flip kit is the chance the bolts are frozen up in the spring eyes. They can be a real pain in the XXX to remove when they rust solid in the sleeves.

Just my $.02

piecesparts · 12-18-2006, 10:21 PM

How low is depended on a few things. 1) how much can you spend? 2) How fancy do you wnat to go? 3) How fast do you want to drive? The amount of clearance is important in the last thing.

Malo83 · 12-19-2006, 02:09 AM

Running a 4/5 drop on my 83 with 275/50/15's on 15x9 rims and love it

just remember when you drop your ride your driving habits will have to change to Low and Slow

ProStreet83C10 · 12-19-2006, 04:16 AM

as far as how fast do i wanna go......my long term goal is put a supercharged big block in it with around 800 or more hp

boxrodz · 12-19-2006, 04:36 AM

Yeah, Low and Fast ...

Here's a few 'chops of a straight 2" drop (all around), a 3" drop and a >> 4" drop <<

to keep some rake. If you get the right bs on the wheels, you may be able to go lower to tuck some wheel. (BTW, I've seen some guys use '2 bys' spacing on their trailer to load their vehicle on the trailer and actually use '2 bys' under the wheels to raise their vehicle so that the door will open when sitting on the trailer.

AesC10s · 12-19-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malo83

just remember when you drop your ride your driving habits will have to change to Low and Slow

So NOT true. i had a 72 that the front xmember was about 3 inches off the ground and i did 130+ MPH in it on the highway MANY times with no Problems.

ProStreet83C10 · 12-19-2006, 02:07 PM

i like the whole 3" look of it, and it looks like its not enough to mess up the underbody going on a trailer

Slonaker · 12-19-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AesC10s

So NOT true. i had a 72 that the front xmember was about 3 inches off the ground and i did 130+ MPH in it on the highway MANY times with no Problems.

The highway is the only place you don't have to be careful.

Slonaker

75silverstep · 12-19-2006, 03:48 PM

Not baggon on you but you take off the front window visor and you might take off 3/100ths and get into the 14ns........5/7 drop the drag strip is nice and flat..haha

bodydropped · 12-19-2006, 04:10 PM

theres a guy in houston or some were aroun there with a lwb chevy with a 7/9 drop and he drives on and off a trailer without any problems. he did alot of work to get ther frt that low but it had a 496 in it that was badazz and he was tukin some mean tires in the rear i think he was runnin 15x15s in the rear ill try and find pics and it was all drop no air at all on this truck

piecesparts · 12-19-2006, 06:01 PM

My 84 is not a ground scraper and I don't run bags, but I run the high speeds with the best of them. I have actually seen the speedo buried in the "OH WOW" section of the gauge. I only have a top displayed number of 85 MPH. I have Bell Tech components with a 4/4 drop and running 15X9 rims and 245/60/15s up front and 295/50/15s on the back. Low and Slow is only an attitude not a way of life.

piecesparts · 12-19-2006, 06:40 PM

Agree , the visor is not my thing either.

This is my Son's truck

AesC10s · 12-19-2006, 06:52 PM

piecesparts That is a sharp truck!!

piecesparts · 12-19-2006, 09:52 PM

Thanks, we built it with the parts left over from my 84 GMC.

gchemist · 12-19-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malo83

just remember when you drop your ride your driving habits will have to change to Low and Slow

Yea, right. Hell I drive mine faster and meaner.

12-18-2006, 04:29 PM	#1
ProStreet83C10 Drag Racer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mason City, Iowa Posts: 1,276	How low should i go??? Hey guys, im getting ready to put my 83 a little closer to the ground. My question is how low should i go? I definitly want it to be noticably lower, but i do NOT wasnt it so low i cant load it on a trailer when i go to and from the drag track. I also would like to keep similar sized wheels/tires on it for now (275/60R15 on 15x8 wheels) Im thinking no more than a 2/4 or a 3/5. Let me have your guys input. Heres some pictures of it for pondering. __________________ Zach Hall 1983 Chevy C10 R/T: .194 60': 2.322 330: 6.379 1/8: 9.803 MPH: 71.37 1000: 12.781 1/4: 15.314 MPH: 88.79

12-18-2006, 04:36 PM	#2
AesC10s Chevy truck addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Thornton Colorado Posts: 825	Re: How low should i go??? Bag It!!!

12-18-2006, 04:54 PM	#3
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: How low should i go??? I don't know how much clearance you need to get it on the trailer, but this is what mine looks like lowered 2.5/4 with spindles/drop leaves. It still has about the clearance of a car. It never scrapes on speed bumps or going in and out of parking lots. I am running 255/70/15 tires on 8 inch rally wheels. http://www.slonaker.net/gallery/albu...cs/c10_low.jpg Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

12-18-2006, 05:16 PM	#4
Blackstone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Maine Posts: 210	Re: How low should i go??? I'd 3/4 it for sure. Noticably lower, but practical ride height.

12-18-2006, 05:20 PM	#5
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Re: How low should i go??? I have a 3/5 daily driver. Only things I have to watch are curbs when parking and deep ruts/chuckholes. I would suggest going with 2.5 spindles instead of 3 spindles though, I had to swap out my 8" ralleys for 6.5" on the front to get clearance with the a-arms.

12-18-2006, 05:55 PM	#6
hiway Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Enola Arkansas Posts: 380	Re: How low should i go??? 3/4 __________________ Everythang relates to Beer! 86 1/2ton on tons! sbc/465/208/D60/14/35's 81 Postal....with 468 bbc 97 Merc Marq comuter 07 Suburban 02 Danger Ranger

12-18-2006, 07:40 PM	#7
82c10 needin' money Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma Posts: 1,106	Re: How low should i go??? 5-7 __________________ *SWB Stands for Short Wide Bed*

12-18-2006, 08:08 PM	#9
ProStreet83C10 Drag Racer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mason City, Iowa Posts: 1,276	Re: How low should i go??? so basically do a 2.5-3/4 __________________ Zach Hall 1983 Chevy C10 R/T: .194 60': 2.322 330: 6.379 1/8: 9.803 MPH: 71.37 1000: 12.781 1/4: 15.314 MPH: 88.79

12-18-2006, 08:29 PM	#10
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: How low should i go??? Assuming you have 255/60/R15 tires like I do.....2.5/4 is perfect. Spindals and hanger shackel combo for the rear. Any lower on the front you have trouble. Replace the coils when you drop it. New coils will help keep the front tire from rubbing on the fender. I would use a grinder and trim the inside of the fender too. Take a look at the pictures in my signature. The front tires are 235/60R15 and the rears are 255/60R15. The front tires rub because of worn coils. Now I run 245/60/R15 in the front. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos Last edited by gchemist; 12-18-2006 at 08:32 PM.

12-18-2006, 08:37 PM	#11
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Re: How low should i go??? I would go with a 5 drop in the rear using a flip kit. It's cheaper than drop leaf springs, you keep the stock load capacity, and it's probably less work than shackles and hangers. The potential downside of a flip kit is the chance the bolts are frozen up in the spring eyes. They can be a real pain in the XXX to remove when they rust solid in the sleeves. Just my $.02

12-18-2006, 10:21 PM	#12
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: How low should i go??? How low is depended on a few things. 1) how much can you spend? 2) How fancy do you wnat to go? 3) How fast do you want to drive? The amount of clearance is important in the last thing.

12-19-2006, 02:09 AM	#13
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: How low should i go??? Running a 4/5 drop on my 83 with 275/50/15's on 15x9 rims and love it just remember when you drop your ride your driving habits will have to change to Low and Slow

12-19-2006, 04:16 AM	#14
ProStreet83C10 Drag Racer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mason City, Iowa Posts: 1,276	Re: How low should i go??? as far as how fast do i wanna go......my long term goal is put a supercharged big block in it with around 800 or more hp __________________ Zach Hall 1983 Chevy C10 R/T: .194 60': 2.322 330: 6.379 1/8: 9.803 MPH: 71.37 1000: 12.781 1/4: 15.314 MPH: 88.79

12-19-2006, 04:36 AM	#15
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: How low should i go??? Yeah, Low and Fast ... Here's a few 'chops of a straight 2" drop (all around), a 3" drop and a >> 4" drop << to keep some rake. If you get the right bs on the wheels, you may be able to go lower to tuck some wheel. (BTW, I've seen some guys use '2 bys' spacing on their trailer to load their vehicle on the trailer and actually use '2 bys' under the wheels to raise their vehicle so that the door will open when sitting on the trailer. Attached Images __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

12-19-2006, 02:07 PM	#17
ProStreet83C10 Drag Racer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mason City, Iowa Posts: 1,276	Re: How low should i go??? i like the whole 3" look of it, and it looks like its not enough to mess up the underbody going on a trailer __________________ Zach Hall 1983 Chevy C10 R/T: .194 60': 2.322 330: 6.379 1/8: 9.803 MPH: 71.37 1000: 12.781 1/4: 15.314 MPH: 88.79



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12-19-2006, 03:48 PM	#19
75silverstep KEEP ON TRUCKIN. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: TULARE,CALIFORNIA Posts: 604	Re: How low should i go??? Not baggon on you but you take off the front window visor and you might take off 3/100ths and get into the 14ns........5/7 drop the drag strip is nice and flat..haha __________________ 1975 C-10 STEPSIDE (ALMOST DONE AGAIN)90 percent done wheres that other 10 haha .1994 GMC Z71 .

12-19-2006, 04:10 PM	#20
bodydropped Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: beaumont,tx Posts: 757	Re: How low should i go??? theres a guy in houston or some were aroun there with a lwb chevy with a 7/9 drop and he drives on and off a trailer without any problems. he did alot of work to get ther frt that low but it had a 496 in it that was badazz and he was tukin some mean tires in the rear i think he was runnin 15x15s in the rear ill try and find pics and it was all drop no air at all on this truck __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ropped/sig.jpg

12-19-2006, 06:01 PM	#21
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: How low should i go??? My 84 is not a ground scraper and I don't run bags, but I run the high speeds with the best of them. I have actually seen the speedo buried in the "OH WOW" section of the gauge. I only have a top displayed number of 85 MPH. I have Bell Tech components with a 4/4 drop and running 15X9 rims and 245/60/15s up front and 295/50/15s on the back. Low and Slow is only an attitude not a way of life.

12-19-2006, 06:40 PM	#22
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: How low should i go??? Agree , the visor is not my thing either. This is my Son's truck Attached Images

12-19-2006, 06:52 PM	#23
AesC10s Chevy truck addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Thornton Colorado Posts: 825	Re: How low should i go??? piecesparts That is a sharp truck!!

12-19-2006, 09:52 PM	#24
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: How low should i go??? Thanks, we built it with the parts left over from my 84 GMC.

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