3/5 drop on my 84

[68c10owner]

I posted this on the 73-87 board and didn`t really get a exact anser. I`m going to install a 3/5 drop,3" front springs and a rear flip kit on my 84 stepside. My current tire size is 235/70/16 and they are about 29" tall. am I going to have any clearance issures? also, is there a cheap drop shock i can get for the front? I`m on limited funds.

[N2TRUX]

I think you might be close on the tire height. I have never lowered one only 3" and retained the tall tires so I can't be sure.

What I can recommend is to consider running drop spindles rather than 3" springs. Since your on a budget, I suggest a 2.5" spindle and a 1" spring. If that doesn't fit your budget consider the spindles and cut one coil off your stock springs. Just be careful when you cut them and don't get the springs hot.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I think you might be close on the tire height. I have never lowered one only 3" and retained the tall tires so I can't be sure.

What I can recommend is to consider running drop spindles rather than 3" springs. Since your on a budget, I suggest a 2.5" spindle and a 1" spring. If that doesn't fit your budget consider the spindles and cut one coil off your stock springs. Just be careful when you cut them and don't get the springs hot.

I already bought the springs and flip kit. They are DJM and came with the rear shock relocators. I got everything off of craigslist for $50. I just don`t have the money for spindles. This is what I`ve got but this is my only truck so I can`t afford the downtime to try installing the drop only to have it not clear anything and have to take it back out.

[N2TRUX]

The only thing that you might have to change is the springs. The rear shouldn't be an issue, so no probs there. If the front springs are too much and you can't do some trading for shorter tires, then cut the stock springs and install them instead of the 3".

I full coil cut off the top should give you about 1.5-2" drop.

[lolife99]

68c10owner,... break out the tape measure.
Go out and measure how much room you have above your front tire. (from the top of the tire, up to the inner fender)
Subtract 3".
That's approximately how much clearence you will have after dropping the front with your new drop springs.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The only thing that you might have to change is the springs. The rear shouldn't be an issue, so no probs there. If the front springs are too much and you can't do some trading for shorter tires, then cut the stock springs and install them instead of the 3".

I full coil cut off the top should give you about 1.5-2" drop.

I was under the impression that the 3/5 will level the truck out. i don`t want it sitting higher in the front than the rear. My old 75gmc was that way because it was a original bbc truck and it had a 350 in it with the original springs.

Originally Posted by lolife99

68c10owner,... break out the tape measure.
Go out and measure how much room you have above your front tire. (from the top of the tire, up to the inner fender)
Subtract 3".
That's approximately how much clearence you will have after dropping the front with your new drop springs.

That is a great idea. I didn`t even think about that. What about when i turn the wheels? Any place to measure for that?

[N2TRUX]

I was making suggestions to fit your needs. Since you have the 3" springs do some "visual" calculations as lolife99 suggested. If there is a local tire shop that deals in used tires you might consider making a deal with the for shorter front tires.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I was making suggestions to fit your needs. Since you have the 3" springs do some "visual" calculations as lolife99 suggested. If there is a local tire shop that deals in used tires you might consider making a deal with the for shorter front tires.

yes I know and I appreaciate your input. I just don`t want to change tires right now. If the 3/5 won`t fit with the tires I have then I`ll wait. I`m currently unemployed with a wife and 2 kids to feed so spending more money isn`t a option right now. I`ll take some measurments but i just wanted to know if the 3/5 will work with the tires i have.

[N2TRUX]

Sorry to hear times are tough around your house. Hopefully things will get better soon.

Try searching the 73-87 forum. There have been several posts on drop/tiresize/ etc on there that might help. If no look post over there and see what happens.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Sorry to hear times are tough around your house. Hopefully things will get better soon.

Try searching the 73-87 forum. There have been several posts on drop/tiresize/ etc on there that might help. If no look post over there and see what happens.

I did post this on the 73-87 forum but didn`t get the answer I was looking for. I`m just going to measure the gap like lolife suggested and see if there is enough clearance.

[68c10owner]

I was on 73-87chevytrucks.com and saw a truck with a 3/5 drop and it sat higher in the front than the back. Is this normal? I thought the 3/5 was suppost to level it.

[lolife99]

Don't be surpised if the front doesn't drop 3 inches.
Your truck has sagging old original springs.
Your new springs are 3" lower than NEW stock springs. If it doesn't drop as much as you want the option of trimming them is out. Alignment will be impossible. A better option is to wait until you can save up for drop spindles and good shocks. Cheap drop shocks will ride like crap.
I think the front will set higher than the back with a 3/5 drop,

[68c10owner]

I`ll have to check my recods because the PO did a bunch of suspension work a year ago. he had a new steering box, tie rods, ball joints and shocks done. There was a whole list of what was replaced, I`ll see if he changed the springs. The truck doesn`t seem to be sagging up front and actually sits pretty high.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by lolife99

68c10owner,... break out the tape measure.
Go out and measure how much room you have above your front tire. (from the top of the tire, up to the inner fender)
Subtract 3".
That's approximately how much clearence you will have after dropping the front with your new drop springs.

I have 7" from the top of the tire to the fender well on both sides and the driver side fender lip is about a 1/2' higher than the passanger side.