Rear Drop Questions for and 87 R10

[5150]

Okay, I'm finally getting around to lowering my 87 with the brackets that specialtyretail was selling on the parts board. I've never lowered a square body before. I get the idea of what to do with the brackets, but my question is do I need shock relocators? is there a stock shock that is shorter that will fit so I don't have to buy relocators?

thanks

[stroker87]

you should either use relocators "or" buy a shorter shocks

other things you "might" need

shorter bump stops? i'm at 4" drop and my truck is ok your going to be 5" or more so not sure?

pinion shims might be needed to correct drive line angle again not 100% sure

[specialtyretail]

Hey Bryan. I have guys doing them several ways. Most of the ones we did, stock shocks and the snubber did the trick. On others, we went with a slightly shorter shock (sorrry I do not remember the part #, it has been several years since we did any at our shop ourselves). I had a customer a few years back that swore by putting air shocks on when he used our brackets???? I don't recal any pinion angle issues. Thanks, Fred.

[rudey737]

I have a flip on the rear of my truck, too. I went with shock relocating brackets. I was going to do shorter drop shocks, but I've read that the angle of the shocks from the flip kit nullify the benefits of the drop shocks.

Now, I've also read that isn't the case and just drop shocks on the rear are fine. The nicest thing about the shock relocating brackets is being able to change the shocks without removing the u bolts for the rear end. When you flip the axle, the shock bolt is pretty close to the u bolts. Some people even have to clearance the u bolt plate to access the bolt head. With shock relocating brackets you only have to worry about the bolt that holds those on. They move the shock bolt lower than the axle u bolt plate and therefore negate having to remove the u bolts to access the shock lower mount bolt.

I hope this helps, and it didn't seem like I'm rambling. It's been a long week and I have about four cups of coffee in me already this morning. I feel like I'm being extra long winded.

[stroker87]

Originally Posted by rudey737

I've read that the angle of the shocks from the flip kit nullify the benefits of the drop shocks.

I can tell you that on my 04 after the flip I installed shorter shocks didn't like the ride so I installed relocators and a factory length shock it did improve it but not enough to make it worth all the time, money and hassle....... just being honest and these square bodys are really soft ride any way so "if" your needing shocks i'd just do a drop shock but if your shocks are good maybe just the relocators?

[rudey737]

Yeah, I've seen it both ways.

The deciding factor for me was not having to worry about u bolt interference when changing shocks in the future.

[ultrahd4me]

Bryan, here is a 82 C10 I just finished with a rear flip kit, stock hangers & shackels, and DJM shock relocators. Shocks came from Rock Auto for like $80 and the truck road very nice. I hope this helps.

KYB #344068
KYB #344072

[lolife99]

I would always do the shock relocators/extensions.
The short shock install lays the shocks down too horizontally.
The shock extensions stands the shocks back up to the correct angle.

[5150]

Thanks guys, I guess I'll order some shock relocators.

Hey Bryan. I have guys doing them several ways. Most of the ones we did, stock shocks and the snubber did the trick. On others, we went with a slightly shorter shock (sorrry I do not remember the part #, it has been several years since we did any at our shop ourselves). I had a customer a few years back that swore by putting air shocks on when he used our brackets???? I don't recal any pinion angle issues. Thanks, Fred.

Fred, do the holes on the brackets go towards the front of the truck or the rear?

thanks

[rudey737]

And I would always listen to lolife99. From my short time here, I've learned to listen to, and appreciate the information given by him and TX Firefighter.

[KrazyRay]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I would always do the shock relocators/extensions.
The short shock install lays the shocks down too horizontally.
The shock extensions stands the shocks back up to the correct angle.

I agree with Keith. I did the axle flip on my 87 R10 with Fred's brackets and the shock relocators are a must.

[ultrahd4me]

Bryan, one other tip. On some of the shock relocator brackets the nuts & bolts are extremely close to leaf spring plate. I had to put the brackets on first, then index the bolt head to clear the leaf spring plate. Very minor issue, just trying to help save someone the hassle.

[specialtyretail]

Hey Bryan. Hole goes towards the front. Thanks, Fred.

[BigMike608]

My 87...

Rear:
- 15x8 rallies
- 275/60/15 tires
- Western Chassis rear shock extenders
- Stock shocks (RockAuto: KYB - Part # 344068)
- specialtyrealty (forum member) 5" drop axle brackets
- c-notch

[crawdadfox]

5"-6" drop..specialtyretail 5" flip brackets, 1" shackle and C-notch in back. Belltech 3" spindle, 2" drop springs and Belltech Nitro Drop shocks all around. Does Western Chassis sell just the shock extenders?

[lolife99]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ws...del/c10-pickup
Im sure you can buy the shock extensions by themselves, other places.
Truck looks good, Crawdad,...

[rudey737]

Good looking trucks. What size tires do you have, crawdadfox?

[BigMike608]

Originally Posted by lolife99

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ws...del/c10-pickup
Im sure you can buy the shock extensions by themselves, other places.
Truck looks good, Crawdad,...

that's exactly where I ordered mine from

[crawdadfox]

Originally Posted by lolife99

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ws...del/c10-pickup
Im sure you can buy the shock extensions by themselves, other places.
Truck looks good, Crawdad,...

Thanks for the part number! Tires are 225/75/15...about as old as the truck...new wheels on order.

[PEDROSKI]

I just installed mine yesterday. Rides rough with stock shocks and no extenders(I guess ill needa notch aswell). Now I need to lower the front some more.

[BigMike608]

yes you definitely need the shock extenders to achieve a better ride

[PEDROSKI]

When ordering the shock extenders from Summit that were listed above, is that a set or just one shock extender?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by PEDROSKI

When ordering the shock extenders from Summit that were listed above, is that a set or just one shock extender?

A set.

[PEDROSKI]

Thanks Kieth.

[rudey737]

Those are the same extenders I have on the rear of my truck. They work like a charm.

Definitely pay attention to where the shock extender bolt will end up before you tighten anything down. What UltraHD4Me is displaying is what I was trying to explain about not needing to remove the u bolts to change shocks in the future. If you get the shock extenders on, then the bottom shock bolt is lower than the u bolts and you don't have to worry about any interference for that bottom shock bolt.

Crawday, do you rub with those tires? I have a 4.5/6 drop from McGaughy's, and my front looks way lower than yours. I'm rubbing with right turns from a stop with 215/75/15 tires. Can you get some measurements off of your truck for me to see if my front end is lower than it should be? Maybe from the ground to bottom of your front bumper and from the ground to the bottom of each front fender?