Questions about lowering a C-20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CharlesUFarley · 10-07-2011, 02:17 PM

Hi all. I have a C-20 Suburban. At the moment it is static dropped with
2-1/2" spindles and stock front springs and 3" drop springs in the rear. I also have a set of 2" drop springs for the front and 5" for the rear, but I took them out because the front track width is so wide with the disc brakes that the tires rub quite a bit with the truck that low. I am running stock 8-lug steel wheels that I wouls like to keep. I might switch to air bags at some point for better ride, but don't intend to lay frame.

My questions are...
Is there a way to narrow the front end without chopping my control arms?

I saw in another thread that there are some CPP spindles that are narrower than stock? I got mine from Performance On Line.

Does CPP make Narrow spindles for the C-20.

These pics are with the 4-1/2" Front and 5" rear drop. I also have 1/2" blocks for the rear that I have yet to install.

I might be actually be willing to swap to drum brakes if necessary, but obviously would prefer to keep the disc brakes.

If control arms are cut, how bad is the effect on handling, turning, alignment, etc?

SCOTI · 10-07-2011, 04:03 PM

CPP only makes the modular (narrow track width) spindle in a 1/2 ton version. You'll have to cut the arms, swap in an aftermarket x-member (Dropmember or similar), or maybe try different back-spacing for the wheels.

What size tires are you running?

CharlesUFarley · 10-07-2011, 04:08 PM

They're on a 16-1/2" Wheel. The size on the tire is 8.75R16.5LT.

CharlesUFarley · 10-07-2011, 04:13 PM

I have considered actually somehow moving the mounting points for the control arms inward on the frame to keep the control arm lengths the same. I haven't actually looked into it that far yet.This project is on the back burner for a while until I get another vehicle done. (A 65 Coupe De Ville). The caddy might lay frame, but the Burb will be more of a resto-mod. As I mentioned before, I want to keep the steel wheels. Just paint and detail the wheels or possible get a nice set of dog dishes.

SCOTI · 10-07-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesUFarley

I have considered actually somehow moving the mounting points for the control arms inward on the frame to keep the control arm lengths the same. I haven't actually looked into it that far yet.This project is on the back burner for a while until I get another vehicle done. (A 65 Coupe De Ville). The caddy might lay frame, but the Burb will be more of a resto-mod. As I mentioned before, I want to keep the steel wheels. Just paint and detail the wheels or possible get a nice set of dog dishes.

While I understand liking the steel wheels & wanting to keep them, the 16.5's would have to go in my book strictly because they'll be your limiting factor. Your current 8.75 x 16.5's are about 29.5" tall.

Wheel Vintiques has 16" genie/solid steelies for 8-lug applications in 6-10" widths. A 16" wheel would allow for increased tire size selections & you could likely get varying offsets to help w/the track width dilemma.....
http://www.shopvintagewheels.com/16x...-bs/p/WV82003/

Food for thought.....

CharlesUFarley · 10-07-2011, 06:21 PM

Wow, that's great info. I actually looked on their web site and didn't see any 8 lug wheels....shows you how good I am at searching on the web....which explains why I asked a question that has PROBABLY been asked 72,000 times onthis forum....I did look though......briefly, lol.
Do you know if Wheel Vintiques would have those in 18" diameter...I have a set of brand new 18" tires that I was going to use on a set of 8 lug Weld whells that I have. Unfortunately the offset on the Welds is worse than my steelies for the front.

CharlesUFarley · 10-07-2011, 06:23 PM

This is the Weld wheel I'm talking about. Not sure how well you can see the tire.

CharlesUFarley · 10-07-2011, 06:25 PM

oh sXXt. I forgot that there is no tire on that wheel in this pic. It's just propped up in front of the stock wheel/tire.

SCOTI · 10-07-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesUFarley

Wow, that's great info. I actually looked on their web site and didn't see any 8 lug wheels....shows you how good I am at searching on the web....which explains why I asked a question that has PROBABLY been asked 72,000 times onthis forum....I did look though......briefly, lol.
Do you know if Wheel Vintiques would have those in 18" diameter...I have a set of brand new 18" tires that I was going to use on a set of 8 lug Weld whells that I have. Unfortunately the offset on the Welds is worse than my steelies for the front.

As far as I know, they only offer the 16's.

10-07-2011, 02:17 PM	#1
CharlesUFarley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca. Posts: 78	Questions about lowering a C-20 Hi all. I have a C-20 Suburban. At the moment it is static dropped with 2-1/2" spindles and stock front springs and 3" drop springs in the rear. I also have a set of 2" drop springs for the front and 5" for the rear, but I took them out because the front track width is so wide with the disc brakes that the tires rub quite a bit with the truck that low. I am running stock 8-lug steel wheels that I wouls like to keep. I might switch to air bags at some point for better ride, but don't intend to lay frame. My questions are... Is there a way to narrow the front end without chopping my control arms? I saw in another thread that there are some CPP spindles that are narrower than stock? I got mine from Performance On Line. Does CPP make Narrow spindles for the C-20. These pics are with the 4-1/2" Front and 5" rear drop. I also have 1/2" blocks for the rear that I have yet to install. I might be actually be willing to swap to drum brakes if necessary, but obviously would prefer to keep the disc brakes. If control arms are cut, how bad is the effect on handling, turning, alignment, etc? Attached Images

10-07-2011, 04:03 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Re: Questions about lowering a C-20 CPP only makes the modular (narrow track width) spindle in a 1/2 ton version. You'll have to cut the arms, swap in an aftermarket x-member (Dropmember or similar), or maybe try different back-spacing for the wheels. What size tires are you running? __________________ 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.*

10-07-2011, 04:08 PM	#3
CharlesUFarley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca. Posts: 78	Re: Questions about lowering a C-20 They're on a 16-1/2" Wheel. The size on the tire is 8.75R16.5LT.

10-07-2011, 04:13 PM	#4
CharlesUFarley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca. Posts: 78	Re: Questions about lowering a C-20 I have considered actually somehow moving the mounting points for the control arms inward on the frame to keep the control arm lengths the same. I haven't actually looked into it that far yet.This project is on the back burner for a while until I get another vehicle done. (A 65 Coupe De Ville). The caddy might lay frame, but the Burb will be more of a resto-mod. As I mentioned before, I want to keep the steel wheels. Just paint and detail the wheels or possible get a nice set of dog dishes.

10-07-2011, 06:21 PM	#6
CharlesUFarley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca. Posts: 78	Re: Questions about lowering a C-20 Wow, that's great info. I actually looked on their web site and didn't see any 8 lug wheels....shows you how good I am at searching on the web....which explains why I asked a question that has PROBABLY been asked 72,000 times onthis forum....I did look though......briefly, lol. Do you know if Wheel Vintiques would have those in 18" diameter...I have a set of brand new 18" tires that I was going to use on a set of 8 lug Weld whells that I have. Unfortunately the offset on the Welds is worse than my steelies for the front.

10-07-2011, 06:23 PM	#7
CharlesUFarley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca. Posts: 78	Re: Questions about lowering a C-20 This is the Weld wheel I'm talking about. Not sure how well you can see the tire. Attached Images

10-07-2011, 06:25 PM	#8
CharlesUFarley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca. Posts: 78	Re: Questions about lowering a C-20 oh sXXt. I forgot that there is no tire on that wheel in this pic. It's just propped up in front of the stock wheel/tire.



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