New to lowering, need some help.

[79SWBchevy]

I have recently acquired a 79 SWB from my grandfather. It has the I-6, not sure what size, but plan to throw it out for a 350. It needs alot of restoration. Anyway, I know I want to lower it eventually and I am pretty confused on how to go about doing this. I've read several fourms on here about lowering and i've got some idea of what to do just not completely sure.

In the front:
Do I only need to buy drop spindels, or a lowering spring setup? Or if neither what do I need?

In the rear:
Everything i've read has been alittle vauge on this. What are hangers and shackles?

I found this on summit and I am a bit confused. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G752/

When it says: "relocate the rear springs higher up toward the body, allowing you to drop your rear-end.", does that mean I have to buy something else to finish lowering it, or does this kit lower it on its own?

This is not about lowering but I am also curious, how much alterations will i need to make to the motor mounts when i make the swap from the I-6 to the 350?

Don't hold back on your input, I appreciate all very much. Thanks

[gchemist]

Welcome to the site.
You can do both spindal and spring. I did. 2.5 spindal and 1.5 spring. I've done a lot of work on my truck. Look at my photo albums for reference.
http://community.webshots.com/user/gchemist

Check here too: http://www.73-87.com/

[Rogue_Sentinel]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DJM-FK1024-5/ this is a 6in drop and you will need drop shocks

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G726/ this is a 3in drop if you add the spindal you need drop shocks there too

[85_GMC_Man]

Welcome to the forum 79SWBchevy.

To answer your first question about the front suspension, you can use either springs or spindles or both. The parts you need are determined by the amount of drop you want. For example a 2" drop can be accomplished with 2" drop spindles OR 2" drop springs. If you wanted a 5" drop you would need to get 2" drop springs and 3" drop spindles to acheive the total drop of 5". Also keep in mind that you will need to buy new shocks for any change in the suspension height.

To help you with the rear drop, first a hanger is the part of the frame that the rear leaf spring is attached to. To change out a hanger you would have to cut out or grind off the factory rivets and bolt on the new drop hanger. A shackle is the bracked mounted to the leaf spring near the back of the truck. The shackle can be unbolted from the leaf spring and the frame. The hangers and shackles are usually sold in sets to acheive the drop desired. And just like in the front suspension, you will need to buy new shocks because of the suspension height change.

Now there is also an axel flip kit for a rear suspension drop. This kit moves the rear axel from being below the leaf springs to above the leaf springs. From what I have seen these usually are a 5" drop.

The only thing you should have to buy when you get a drop kit that is not part of the kit is the shocks ONLY. Everything else should be included.

The biggest part of figuring out the parts you need is to decide how far you want to drop your truck. Once you figure that out getting the parts will be easy.

Hope this helps.

[staggerd86c-10]

my recomendation is not to get shackles and hangers 90% of people with that kit always want to go lower. just get the flip kit and save time and money.

[Mr.Scary]

I would have 2 agree wit staggerd86c-10 i have never lowered a truck b4 but i have heard plenty of people on here say tha same thing.

[flamingbig10]

I would get a flip kit there easier change and there cheaper

[1LowToy]

Ok I'm new to this game too. Is there a part number to get shorter shocks to go with the spring mods? I don't see it necessary to change shocks with the drop spindles alone. Shorter spring in front may very well be necessary to change shocks.

[Silverray76]

i agree get a lowering kit or get airbags. i put smaller tires on mine an lower cut the springs

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by 1LowToy

Ok I'm new to this game too. Is there a part number to get shorter shocks to go with the spring mods? I don't see it necessary to change shocks with the drop spindles alone. Shorter spring in front may very well be necessary to change shocks.

there is no point on putting (dropshocks) on the front when your only changing to a drop spindle. i didnt change the shock on mine.and it has no problem

[85_GMC_Man]

3r!c84 and Silverray76 are right, there is no need to change the stock shocks on the front if you are only changing the spindles. The spindles just move the tire up without changing the suspension geometry at all.

Silverray76 you say you have lower cut springs? Do you mean the coil springs? I have never been a fan of cutting springs to lower anything. There is a reason the springs are the size and shape they are (at least I thought). Do you have any problems because of the cut springs?? Just curious?

[Malo83]

No problems here with cut coils
Flip kit on the rear

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 85_GMC_Man

3r!c84 and Silverray76 are right, there is no need to change the stock shocks on the front if you are only changing the spindles. The spindles just move the tire up without changing the suspension geometry at all.

Silverray76 you say you have lower cut springs? Do you mean the coil springs? I have never been a fan of cutting springs to lower anything. There is a reason the springs are the size and shape they are (at least I thought). Do you have any problems because of the cut springs?? Just curious?

No problems with cutting coils. I've done seven or eight trucks that way, one of which has been a daily driver for 23 years and 180,000 miles.

K

[boatpuller]

many miles on cut coils.it used to be the norm.

[N2TRUX]

85_GMC_Man- Cutting a coil is a cheap and easy way to lower your front. The key to doing this effectively is to cut the coil with out excessive heat.

[85_GMC_Man]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

85_GMC_Man- Cutting a coil is a cheap and easy way to lower your front. The key to doing this effectively is to cut the coil with out excessive heat.

Well that makes sense. I can see how heat would ruin the coil springs ability to maintain its spring characteristics. Good info to know for later if I ever need a cheap way to drop a truck in the future. I guess I am a little cautious when it comes to making modifications to certain parts. Never hurts to be cautious but it can be expensive.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[N2TRUX]

There are several ways to cut a coil and not hurt the tempering. A cut off wheel is the quickest. If all you have is a torch, you can submerge the spring in a 5 gallon bucket of water leaving the cut mark above the surface.

Cut and let cool. It's not the best way, but I have done it with no adverse effect.

The "wrong" way is to heat a spring to let it sag. Eventually this can lead to the spring collapsing, or failure.

[79SWBchevy]

thanks for all the replies guys. if what you say is true and the flip kit is easier and cheaper, that may be the way to go, im just worried it may be too low for me. i just want a lowered and level ride height. not necessarily tucking the tires, just something that will have an agressive stance.