ECE drop springs ride quality

[67_C-30]

I am thinking very seriously about doing the ECE 2/4 drop on my '69 Custom/10, and I wondered how these springs ride. My truck has factory HD rear coils with helpers now, and it is a little stiff. I'm hoping the ECE springs ride smooth. Here's my truck in stock form, and a Photoshop (thanks LONGHAIR) of it lowered. I can't wait to see it person!

[70cst]

I to would like to know the difference between a stock truck and lowered truck as far as ride and handling. My truck came from the factory with much the same set up. Ok all you truck experts...educate us! I think you need to relocate the shocks if its lowered because it messes up the 15* factory setting? I think?

[BigDaddyDave]

I had the ECE 2-4 drop springs on my 70 and loved them,ECE sells very good parts in fact I wouldn't buy suspension parts from any one else.The ride quality was good and replacing my shocks with the KYB's helped a lot. NOW for the down side;I was a little disappointed in the stance. As soon as my truck hit the ground I knew I should have went with the 4-6 drop but thats just my own opinion about my truck.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyDave

I had the ECE 2-4 drop springs on my 70 and loved them,ECE sells very good parts in fact I wouldn't buy suspension parts from any one else.The ride quality was good and replacing my shocks with the KYB's helped a lot. NOW for the down side;I was a little disappointed in the stance. As soon as my truck hit the ground I knew I should have went with the 4-6 drop but thats just my own opinion about my truck.

Thanks for the response. I'm actually not wanting too much of a drop anyway. As a matter of fact, I'm a little worried about getting it too low for my taste. I plan on getting 15X10 and 15X8.5 Torq Thrust D's with some meaty size tires. I guess I'm old school because I still think that wide, fat tires look the best on these trucks.

[bad6772]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

Thanks for the response. I'm actually not wanting too much of a drop anyway. As a matter of fact, I'm a little worried about getting it too low for my taste. I plan on getting 15X10 and 15X8.5 Torq Thrust D's with some meaty size tires. I guess I'm old school because I still think that wide, fat tires look the best on these trucks.

i agree i love a fat tire in the rear

[ChevLoRay]

My truck, a SWB, had the HD coils (2000-lb rating). I did the 2.5/4.0 drop, and replaced all of the coil springs, along with all of the suspension components that were questionable (tie rod ends, ball joints, upper/lower control arm shafts and bushings). The ride quality is absolutely great! My '96 rides much more harshly. The '69 rides better than my '00 Tundra, too. In fact, the wife's Lexus ES doesn't ride much better....a lot quieter, but not much better ride quality. I didn't go with a 2000-lb capacity spring....just the next lesser capacity that they offer.

I running 15x8 and 15x10 vette-style rallye wheels, since you mentioned your wants. Where I live, the city has a number of dips that function as drainage during wet weather. I have drug the front bumper, once. The trailer hitch, mounted in the 2-inch receiver, has drug very rarely. Most of that is due to my diligence in minding where it is likely to drag. As far as handling the weight of what I have hauled, no problems have been encountered. It'll haul a load, and it rides very well. I think I have my cake and I'm still able to eat it. How good is that??

[wugunguy]

BigDaddyDave-I just realized the same thing, I started with 2/4 and am now going 4/6-will be much better.

[67_C-30]

Do either of you have the 4" rear springs that you'd sell?

[69_hafton]

I've got the 4/6 drop on a SWB truck and think it's fine as far as ride quality. On the highway it's better than on the city streets around here. Handling and cornering is at least 10 times better with the drop and sway bars front and rear. The only drawback is the roads in Tulsa are rough on any vehicle, and I really notice it in my truck over a vehicle with rear independent suspension. Any dips in the road and I notice I'm trying to hold my posture just right to keep from jarring my neck or back too much. This may be more the fault of the bench seat I've got than the quality of the roads here - but the roads are pretty bad. My seat is out of an '88 full size Chevy truck and I think I could do better there to make the ride better. Tires are 235 70 15's on 8' rallies.

[Shock_Me]

69 hafton,

Did you shave down the rubber bump stops? Terry at Early Classics advised me to do this for their 4-6 drop kits, but I haven't done it yet. I hope it will make a difference when I do.

Pete

[Tom Vogel]

You will LOVE the ECE lowering stuff. Also, If you can swing it, replace the springs with their Airbag kit , it is totally adjustable for cargo weight and works far better than ANY spring. You will thank me!
Yes, I own these products and have used their stuff on a couple of trucks.

[Already Gone]

I've studied the different drops for a few years now and tire size should be big factor in your drop choice. You are going to run 15's with the rear tires being meaty so imho I think you would be happy with a 3 1/2 Front drop ( 2 1/2 inch dropped spindle and 1" dropped coil and a 5" Rear Coil Drop with ECE's shock relocators and Super Track bar to replace the original panhard bar and that is the route I'm going when I do mine. One other thing , if your truck does not have a front sway bar I'd highly recommend getting a 1 1/4" sway bar with the polyurethane bushings and ECE sells the bar and bushing too. I'm attaching a pic of one of the board members trucks with the drop I have outlined. I know this truck has the 2 1/2 dropped spindle and 5" dropped coils but not sure if it has the 1" dropped front spring. The truck has 255/70/15's all the way around.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I've studied the different drops for a few years now and tire size should be big factor in your drop choice. You are going to run 15's with the rear tires being meaty so imho I think you would be happy with a 3 1/2 Front drop ( 2 1/2 inch dropped spindle and 1" dropped coil and a 5" Rear Coil Drop with ECE's shock relocators and Super Track bar to replace the original panhard bar and that is the route I'm going when I do mine. One other thing , if your truck does not have a front sway bar I'd highly recommend getting a 1 1/4" sway bar with the polyurethane bushings and ECE sells the bar and bushing too. I'm attaching a pic of one of the board members trucks with the drop I have outlined. I know this truck has the 2 1/2 dropped spindle and 5" dropped coils but not sure if it has the 1" dropped front spring. The truck has 255/70/15's all the way around.

Although that is a beautiful truck, it is just a little lower than I'm wanting to go. Even though I have a newer truck, this truck has become my daily driver when I'm not working. Most of the of trucks I see on here with the 4/6 drops are just a tad lower than I like. They look great, but they are just a little lower I want. I hear of people having some scrubbing problems here and there with 4/6 and I know it has to be VERY close to the bumpstops that low, and I am not at all interested in C-notching my frame. I guess what I mean is that I don't want to have to worry about where I pull into a rough parking lot, etc. I want to drive the truck like I do now. The truck below has the 2/4 drop on it, and it has pretty much the exact look I want, except I want 10's on the rear and mine will have a '69 grill. I do appreciate all the suggestions though, and I do plan on getting sway bar kit. Thanks everyone for the input!

[ChevLoRay]

My opinion, reflected in my truck suspension, is that the 2.5/4.0 drop offers the best overall usage. Lowered, but not too; a bit of a rake, especially with the tire choice I made, and a comfortable ride. Don't fail to have a sway bar on the front. The adjustable track bar in the rear is a must if you drop it 4 inches or more....don't skip it unless you are able to accurately figure out how much shorter it must be. Use the shock relocators, too. If you go with the air spring, you'll still need the track bar and the shock relocators. Give 'em a call at ECE and you'll be amazed at how friendly and helpful they are....even if you don't buy anything. I'm gonna bet that you will.

[Ole Blue 68]

Sounds like ChevLo and I have the same set up (I have all ECE hardware and GR-2 shocks) and I gotta agree with him. My truck rides like new and I love the stance.

[69_hafton]

Pete, I hadn't even thought about shaving the bump stops. That might take some of the abruptness out of the rear bottoming out. Did Terry say how much to shave them?

[Shock_Me]

69 hafton,

I spoke to Terry today. He said with a 4"-6" ECE drop, I need to shave 1" off the front bump stops and leave about 1/8" on the rears. I left the info on a piece of paper at work, so I'll check tomorrow to be sure.

Pete

[see ten]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I've studied the different drops for a few years now and tire size should be big factor in your drop choice. You are going to run 15's with the rear tires being meaty so imho I think you would be happy with a 3 1/2 Front drop ( 2 1/2 inch dropped spindle and 1" dropped coil and a 5" Rear Coil Drop with ECE's shock relocators and Super Track bar to replace the original panhard bar and that is the route I'm going when I do mine. One other thing , if your truck does not have a front sway bar I'd highly recommend getting a 1 1/4" sway bar with the polyurethane bushings and ECE sells the bar and bushing too. I'm attaching a pic of one of the board members trucks with the drop I have outlined. I know this truck has the 2 1/2 dropped spindle and 5" dropped coils but not sure if it has the 1" dropped front spring. The truck has 255/70/15's all the way around.

That truck still has stock height front springs. If you do a search for member 71see10 you will see his pics with his new 17" wheels.

[lyrikz]

Who is ECE. what does ECE mean??

[67_C-30]

Early Classics Enterprises
http://www.earlyclassic.com/home.aspx

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

Early Classics Enterprises
http://www.earlyclassic.com/home.aspx

Then i can give you advice. ahah I have the early classic drop spindles and they ride very nice. I would recommend them

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Then i can give you advice. ahah I have the early classic drop spindles and they ride very nice. I would recommend them

What springs are you running in the rear?

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

What springs are you running in the rear?

I honestly have NO idea if they are cut, or if they are aftermarket. Its bouncey back there with a small load in the bed. I just bought the truck. I havent had time to get underneath it during the day.. Ride height is great but im going airbags so i dont need the rear coils.

Search my posts and there are a buncha pics in there...

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

My truck, a SWB, had the HD coils (2000-lb rating). I did the 2.5/4.0 drop, and replaced all of the coil springs, along with all of the suspension components that were questionable (tie rod ends, ball joints, upper/lower control arm shafts and bushings). The ride quality is absolutely great! My '96 rides much more harshly. The '69 rides better than my '00 Tundra, too. In fact, the wife's Lexus ES doesn't ride much better....a lot quieter, but not much better ride quality.

Ok im going to have to disagree on this post. My trucks does not ride even close to my old Lexus LS after being lowered. In fact im a bit disapointed.
Purchased the CPP lowering kit, 3" frt and 4" rear coils with Dostech shocks all around front swaybar installed not the rear yet. New Ball joints, tie rods, with stock spindles. My truck rode better and smoother with the 38 year suspension still on the truck. Not sure what to do. Any suggestions?

[Shock_Me]

I shaved down the rear bump stops on my brother's stepside to the recommended 1/8" below the frame rail, and now it rides great. His truck has Early Classic 6" drop coils in the rear.
The bump stops showed obvious signs of hitting before we shaved them.

Pete