Lowering my 80

[long80gmc]

Hey guys, yes, i know there is a search function! But i have read alot of posts and people always have different views. I have an 80 gmc long bed seirra grande. I want to lower it. I do not want to notch the frame. I did find a helpful thread that says with just a flip kit, you do not need to notch. So that decides that i guess. But now what about the front, ive seen the flip kit gets both 5 and 6 inches. The front being 2" lower stock, i figure 3" spindles. What have you guys done, that works! I want it to be pretty level, i plan on running the same size tire front and back most of the time. I do have a extra set of wheels i can run a wide rear tire if i need to get traction.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

You have 15s?
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[long80gmc]

Yes, i have 15s

[J Knight]

The best to keep it level would be a 2.5in spindle, a 1in drop spring and the flip kit. This will yield a 3.5/5in drop.
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[long80gmc]

Thanks! How about chopping the spring a bit. Im on a budget
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[J Knight]

Originally Posted by long80gmc

Thanks! How about chopping the spring a bit. Im on a budget
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You can cut 1/2 a round off the stock springs for about a 1in drop or 1 round for a 2in drop.

[long80gmc]

sweet, thanks! now i just got to order the stuff...first figure out what size my rotors are, but its chilly out right now. and even though im 25..i have arthritis. Rheumatoid, Gout, and Osteo. Its supposed to be nice tomorow, ill pull a wheel off and check then. I guess i will need shock mount relocation brackets. And i also read about the 52 and 56 inch springs, is that a fact? For the c notch? I need to measure mine if so.

[long80gmc]

also is there a certain brand of product that is Superior?

[J Knight]

You can use Beltech, McGaughys, or Western Chassis. They are all good parts and your leaf spring length wont matter.
I thought you did not want to c-notch?

[long80gmc]

i do not want to C-notch. i just read that somewhere, so i figured id measure and see what i had. But if i dont have to notch, i will not notch.

[long80gmc]

Just ordered the flip kit and 2.5" drop spindles. I may end up leaving the springs alone and run a bigger tire in the rear, my headers will be a little to close to the ground if i go to low. Still gotta figure out why i have no right rear brake light or turn signal...the turn signal worked till i started messing with it...i put in a new pigtail, and couldent see anything wrong with the wireing..should be fun. Ima have a shop align it and fix the exhaust (has a leak) and also put some new u joints in. With my arthritis i dont have much strength some days. I also dont have a vise set up here yet (just moved) and plus..it would be sooo much easier with a lift! haha

[long80gmc]

Drop shocks came in today! The rest is scheduled to arrive tomorrow i think. Plan is to work on it sunday and monday. Pictures then!

[long80gmc]

Well, i got the front done today, a friend from down the street stopped by as i was buttoning up the front, told him what i was doing and he looked at the rear end and said....you dont have room. I looked, and sure enough...i will be way to close to comfort for a flip. just didint seem like that before, but..o well. He happens to be an ASE master tech and a decent fabricator. So i ordered a c-notch kit and it will be here wednesday. The truck is at his house now awaiting to be chopped up. But anywho, heres some update pics for now. First stock height, then a pic showing the difference in spindle height, and the final one will be how it sits with just the front dropped.

stockheight by d_imel05, on Flickr

spndledifference by d_imel05, on Flickr

frontlowerd by d_imel05, on Flickr

[Pop's C-10]

if you cut tha bump stop mount off & mount a flater style bump stop to tha frame..you should be fine..post pics of tha space between ya bump stop & axle

[long80gmc]

I dont have any pics of that right now. But if there was any room, just looking. I might have an inch. So just to be safe, hes going to notch it. Hes also going to fix a few other issues on it while its there. The streets where i live are terrible, so it's probably for the best. Once its done i will post pics. I also have to wait to see where it sits to decide on tires, on paper it should be a half inch shorter in the rear, so an inch taller tire would be on order. Only time will tell.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Just do a 2.5 half pipe arch. It's stronger than a notch and is all the more you need
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[muthstryker]

You can flip the rear, and cut off the factory bump stop mount and not have to notch.

[1LowToy]

You don't have to do a notch if you remove the rear bump stops. If your too soft on the reaar springs and bottoming out you can add another long leaf to the spring pack and it will raise up slightly and stiffen the spring. Chances are your rear springs are as soft as the rest of us and you will realize a big lean to one side after lowering. The lean has been there the whole time but you will notice it more after lowering. You will need shock extentions or shorter shocks.

[long80gmc]

Well we hit a snag. Its lowered and notched now, but the drop shocks i ordered..are the same exact height as the stock shocks. they are djm-2200 i believe, summits website says for 4 inch drop, of course mine is 5, but i figured it would be close enough. and the guy i talked to on the phone said they would work. So i will be sending those back and searching for a shock that will work, any one have part numbers? and as promised...here is a pic of how it sits.


lowerd by d_imel05, on Flickr

[long80gmc]

Well i ended up chopping 1 coil off the front. Was level from side to side....but now its a half inch difference from side to side..right side has settled more it seems. But its level when im in it! haha. Here is a final picture of the lowering. I ordered some shock extenders and new tires, going to run 275/60R15 and 225/70R15. Cant decide to run the cragars or some wheels i got in my garage..i kinda like the cragars myself. Heres the pic.


frontlowerdfinal by d_imel05, on Flickr

[notyo_cheez]

My $0.02, heard many recommendations to get lower coil springs and NEVER cut old ones. I was told lowered springs maintains the proper geometry as well as the ride quality. Might be worth it...

[cory d]

a shorter spring wont maintain geometry. i have heard of more problems with drop coils. cut coils all you want, just dont heat them with a torch so they sag

[long80gmc]

Yee, i think im going to try a spring helper on the right side, just to give it a more level look when sitting. But then again, it will lean to the left when im in it. Hard to say what i will end up doing. I will have the new tires on it tomorow after work, friday its getting alligned, radiator flushed (coolant is only good to 10 degrees), exhoust leak patched up (going to get shorter headers and full exhoust done in the future), have the shock extenders mounted and welded on(maybe). Then i just gotta make the lock up switch work for the torque converter, and have the carb fully tuned. Its already a head turner driving around town. Guess the ratty look works.

[muthstryker]

Cutting a stock coil for a drop will ride better then drop springs.

[cory d]

Originally Posted by muthstryker

Cutting a stock coil for a drop will ride better then drop springs.

not the first time i have heard that. havent tried drop coils though so i dont have an opinion