Air bags???

[BTMDOUT]

Hello fellow truck enthusiast. I am kinda new to this, so ya'll help me out please. I have an '83 lwb that my dad bought new, and I want to fix it up a little, but I just don't know which way to go. I want the lowered look but I am not sure about installing the air bag suspension. The truck will be driven, but not daily. Any advise would be helpful, thanks.
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[andrewmp6]

Ride tech does have some nice bolt on kits,Take a look at http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345024 Air management system can be basic switch or two to a fully self leveling system.

[wraprail]

Start by removing 14" of frame rail just behind the cab.
Next find a SWB bed, install it on your newly shortened frame.
Now you have a good looking truck that will look even better lowered.
Longbeds are ok as old work trucks. Lowered they just look stupid
Do a search on lwb to swb. There is some good info on how to do the conversion.
It is pretty easy. Your friends and family will thank you

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by wraprail

Start by removing 14" of frame rail just behind the cab.
Next find a SWB bed, install it on your newly shortened frame.
Now you have a good looking truck that will look even better lowered.
Longbeds are ok as old work trucks. Lowered they just look stupid
Do a search on lwb to swb. There is some good info on how to do the conversion.
It is pretty easy. Your friends and family will thank you

Seriously? Thats the best reply you can offer to a new member?

On a more polite note, welcome to the forum BTMDOUT. I suggest you spend lots of time here and in our suspension forum researching the pros and cons of lowering trucks with a static drop, or air bags. While your researching the topic, you will have time to decide what your budget is on making this the truck of your dreams.

Share some pics please.

[rollin thunder]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Seriously? Thats the best reply you can offer to a new member?

On a more polite note, welcome to the forum BTMDOUT. I suggest you spend lots of time here and in our suspension forum researching the pros and cons of lowering trucks with a static drop, or air bags. While your researching the topic, you will have time to decide what your budget is on making this the truck of your dreams.

Share some pics please.

x2 welcome!! you cant do to much research in in my opinion. There are plenty of swb and lwb lowered trucks from the raked to slammed around here. look around and don`t be afraid to ask!!

[lilpoindexter]

Well, swb does look a million times better.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

Well, swb does look a million times better.

That is purely an opinion call.
I happen to like long wheel base trucks, especially lifted 4x4s.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

Well, swb does look a million times better.

My personal preference is a short wheel base truck as well. Regardless, the OP did not ask for our opinion on his trucks wheelbase, he asked for advice on lowering it.

How would you feel if you asked a question about lowering your truck and I replied "the first thing you need to do is get rid of that ugly stepside bed"?

[andrewmp6]

Being his dads truck i doubt he would make it a short bed i wouldn't.And if you want to use it as a truck a long bed hauls more and tows a little better.

[S10Fan]

Long bed trucks look pretty darn good dropped.

Welcome to the forum!

[BTMDOUT]

Ok guys, no need in fussing over my inquiry, I do agree to each his own. I am thinking spindles in front and a flip kit in rear, but is it going to sit level? I won't use the truck for hauling anything except me. My intention is to put a late model ls engine in it, not sure weather or not to keep the 700r4 tranny or one that matches the engine I will install. The rear end ratio is 3.42:1 Open to suggestions, and thanks for the input.
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[Rich84]

Hey..Don't pick on Stepsides!!Lol

You can make it sit however you want with the right combination of parts..

Lots of info on here.

[Blackpony]

I am running a set of drop springs up front along with a flip kit out back and a set of air shocks in the rear to raise it back a tiny bit to level. Not only do the air shocks ride better then any other ots shock i have found, they allow you to stiffen the rear a little should you decide to haul anything heavy in the back.

[Pro Performance]

The truck above is a good example of a static dropped square body. Nice truck by the way. A common drop is the one mentioned above. A set of 2" drop springs, 2.5" spindles a flip kit out back. I have done a flip kit on these truck with out a c-notch, and it does work. The notch just adds a little more room for axle clearance if you do end up hauling something more than yourself.

A search and reading through the forums a bit will get you a lot of good information. Should you have any questions though, feel free to give me a call.

Welcome to the forum!

Travis
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[Blackpony]

Originally Posted by Pro Performance

The truck above is a good example of a static dropped square body. Nice truck by the way. A common drop is the one mentioned above. A set of 2" drop springs, 2.5" spindles a flip kit out back. I have done a flip kit on these truck with out a c-notch, and it does work. The notch just adds a little more room for axle clearance if you do end up hauling something more than yourself.

A search and reading through the forums a bit will get you a lot of good information. Should you have any questions though, feel free to give me a call.

Welcome to the forum!

Travis
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Thanks! Yes a notch would be helpful, although i removed the bump stop perches and added just a pancake style bumpstop to the frame. Thus far I am yet to get close to bottoming out the rear suspension. The last major load was hauling a corvette on a car hauler and it rode perfectly fine. very good info here!

Here are the stops i used. I installed a set front and rear.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380512507905...84.m1423.l2649

[BTMDOUT]

Originally Posted by Pro Performance

The truck above is a good example of a static dropped square body. Nice truck by the way. A common drop is the one mentioned above. A set of 2" drop springs, 2.5" spindles a flip kit out back. I have done a flip kit on these truck with out a c-notch, and it does work. The notch just adds a little more room for axle clearance if you do end up hauling something more than yourself.

A search and reading through the forums a bit will get you a lot of good information. Should you have any questions though, feel free to give me a call.

Welcome to the forum!

Travis
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Thank you for the input. I may be giving you a call sometime. I kinda know what I want , just not sure how to get there yet.
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[BTMDOUT]

Originally Posted by Blackpony

Thanks! Yes a notch would be helpful, although i removed the bump stop perches and added just a pancake style bumpstop to the frame. Thus far I am yet to get close to bottoming out the rear suspension. The last major load was hauling a corvette on a car hauler and it rode perfectly fine. very good info here!

Here are the stops i used. I installed a set front and rear.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380512507905...84.m1423.l2649

[IMG]http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd21/mustangguy71/CB8E5073-
66A4-4469-AE61-5BF7CD266BDE-593-0000006CB339A21C_zps69129d9c.jpg[/IMG]

Nice looking truck. Thank you for sharing. Thinking of 18" wheels, just not sure about the drop/clearance issue.
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[DREAMER1]

I have 20" rims on mine 2.5 spindles with one coil cut out of the springs in the front. A flip kit in the rear with the bumpstops cut off. I haven't hauled anything with it, but beer and truck parts, but I haven't had much problems with it yet.
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[Rich84]

No bump stops...No c-notch...No problem...(new leaf springs).

[mooseknuckles]

Originally Posted by wraprail

Start by removing 14" of frame rail just behind the cab.
Next find a SWB bed, install it on your newly shortened frame.
Now you have a good looking truck that will look even better lowered.
Longbeds are ok as old work trucks. Lowered they just look stupid
Do a search on lwb to swb. There is some good info on how to do the conversion.
It is pretty easy. Your friends and family will thank you

wow!

[Reziel_1983]

Originally Posted by wraprail

Start by removing 14" of frame rail just behind the cab.
Next find a SWB bed, install it on your newly shortened frame.
Now you have a good looking truck that will look even better lowered.
Longbeds are ok as old work trucks. Lowered they just look stupid
Do a search on lwb to swb. There is some good info on how to do the conversion.
It is pretty easy. Your friends and family will thank you

I disagree!