Lowering on a budget

[Eyegore]

OK, OK I said i would never drop it in the weeds, but after much pressure I'm begining to rethink this. So what is the most inexpensive way to lower the 82 c-10? I mean I do not what to just hack away springs and discard thing that would take away the ability to carry anything, but want the cheapest way to do it right. Your thoughts would be appreciated, espesially bugs our problems you worked through to drop your toys and the things you would have avoided or done differently.



Thank you

Tom

[N2TRUX]

How much do you want to lower it? What size tire do you have now?
If you just want to lower it a little, put a shackle on the rear ($30 to $40), and a lowering spring in the front. If done properly, you can cut a coil on the stock front spring, and not effect the ride much, and it's the "cheapest" way to go...

[swervin ervin]

The cost of lowering depends on how far you want to go.

Just like anything else, cheap is as cheap does. Remember the old addage, you get what you pay for. If you start cutting springs and such, you'll pay for it with ride quality. Use good stuff and you'll thank yourself in the end.

[TIMSPEED]

Just pm APstGuy...I just gave him the exact list to drop a truck 5/7 (aka: in the weeds!), I think the total was around $750. It's 3" DJM Drop Spindles/2" Belltec Drop Springs -- 5" DJM Flip Kit/2" DJM Drop Shackles -- Along with Doetsch Tech Drop Shocks.
BTW: Order all the parts from Summit...trust me.

[Eyegore]

Currently there are 305/50/20 on rear and 295/40/20 on the front. I'm probably going to put the 295's on the rear also. Looking at perhaps a 3" to 5" drop all the way aorund. It's kinda hard to say.
Mike, n2trux how much did you drop your truck(s), and what wheel size are you running for comparision puposes?
And when you say "shackles" do they go at both ends of the leaf spring?
I also need to replace the steering component at the same time, bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc, are there drop kits that have these things included? And how long did it take to put the drop kit in?
Sorry for all the questions, but I need all the advice I can get.

[TIMSPEED]

3/5 is a good drop to go with. That's the drop I have. All in all, it cost me $500 out the door from Summit. Took about a day to put the flip kit and spindles on.
As for bushings, I would recommend getting the PSC or PST Front End Kit. The PSC runs about $50 more than the PST, but includes more parts. (Parts you'll wanna repalce aswell.)
As for tire size, 275/40 20 would be about right for a 3/5 drop.

[gchemist]

Is $199.00 affordable?
I have pictures of the installation of a drop kit on my website.

[1FaastC10]

come on, go 5/7, you'll end up there anyways... i have a 5/7 Western Chassis kit, with 0 miles on it that im probably going to part with. might be able to make you a deal on it.

[N2TRUX]

Originally posted by tom mathein [/B]

Currently there are 305/50/20 on rear and 295/40/20 on the front. I'm probably going to put the 295's on the rear also.

Tom, you have an "advertised" height of 29.5" on the 295/40/20. That's a pretty tall tire for the front if you want to go low. I would suggest moving it to the rear, and get something shorter for the front.

Looking at perhaps a 3" to 5" drop all the way aorund. It's kinda hard to say.

If your going to do it, you may as well bite the bullet and go 5/7. It's about the same amount of work, and won't cost much more. If you want to stay with a mild drop, that looks sporty, Mikes truck is a great example.

Mike, n2trux how much did you drop your truck(s), and what wheel size are you running for comparision puposes?

On my 77, I am running 245/40/20 on an 8" rim in front, and 295/40/20 on a 9.5" rim in the rear. My truck is bagged, and I have never measure it to compare it against a static drop.

And when you say "shackles" do they go at both ends of the leaf spring?

A shackle is the part that pivots at the rear of the leaf spring. They come with 2-3 holes in them, so you can adjust how much drop you want ranging from 1-3". The spring mounts to a fixed "hanger" in the front. These are changed out to raise the front of the leaf spring higher on the frame.

I also need to replace the steering component at the same time, bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc, are there drop kits that have these things included?

No, suspension do not come with rebuild parts. Those can be bought seperately.


Here is a pic of my 77 before we put the 2" blocks on the rear...

[swervin ervin]

My truck is at 4/6. I highly recommend Western Chassis components. Up front I have their 2.5" spindles and 1.5" coils. Out back it's a 5" flip kit and shackles, with a c-notch. You'll need to go with some drop shocks too. Doetsch Tech's are a great drop shock. Don't forget to use some shock extenders on the rear to help move the shock back to the proper angle.

Oh, forgot to mention. Doing a drop the right way ain't cheap. I've got close to $600.00 in parts on mine, not counting the Edelbrock IAS shocks.

[87 STEPPER]

One thing no one has mentioned is if you get drop spindles make shure you know what size brake rotors you have there's a light duty and heavy duty system the HD rotors should measure 1.25" thick i think and the LD i dont know but if im wrong i know i'll be corrected very soon.

[1FaastC10]

HD is 1.25 and LD is 1.00

[44th Miss Inf]

I did my 81 5/5 for under $200. This was back in 85, before they had dropped spindles (In my area at least)
Had Trailmaster make me some 5" dropped springs, removed the rubber bumper mount from the lower control arm, cut out and moved the lower ball joint in 5/8"
Built my flip kit for the rear. Had to do it twice to get the proper pinion angle.
Sounds complicated, but only took a few hours to do. Added Nitro Slam'r shocks later. Rides like a Caddy, drives true, holds the road....

Just my .02


Virgil

[benscool1]

Hey FaastC10, how much were you thinking for the drop kit...

[BaggedC10]

Let it be known that once lowered 5/7", you'll want to bag' it!

[Russell]

I'm planning on dropping my truck a bit too, one truck that has really caught my eye is Eric's (ocbaud) He has the tires and the drop I want...

Does anyone know what exactly he is using, and how much it cost him? (tires and drop kit included) Also, do these drop kits come with new leaf spring bundles? I have a camper special, and the two extras leaves on the right hand side are broken... I want to switch to a standard leaf suspension and do the drop at the same time, I will buy the tires when my current ones wear out, I'll get new rims when I do get new tires (something similar to Eric's would be awesome...)

[SCOTI]

Budgets are like a**holes. . .....they're all different & some larger than others....

What's your budget?

[Slonaker]

I'm planning on dropping my truck a bit too, one truck that has really caught my eye is Eric's (ocbaud) He has the tires and the drop I want. Does anyone know what exactly he is using,

http://www.ocbaud.com/parts.html

Slonaker

[Eyegore]

Well we lowered the rear with the 2" shackles some of you suggested, however we could not go to the top opening in the shackle since the bed frame rail(s) were in the way, how did some of you handle this, did you cut the rail?

The truck sits nice and level now. We were thinking of putting back on the springs that were on the truck when we originally bought it. They were cut to drop it an 1" to 2". But first we want to tackle the steering gear that leaks and replace it along with the ball joints, tie rods bushings and so forth to make the steering a little more tighter.

Thank you for all of your help it's been very valuable.

tom

[N2TRUX]

Originally posted by tom mathein
Well we lowered the rear with the 2" shackles some of you suggested, however we could not go to the top opening in the shackle since the bed frame rail(s) were in the way, how did some of you handle this, did you cut the rail?....

We used a cut of wheel on an air grinder. Clean it up a bit when you are done, and put some paint, or a blast of spray undercoat on the raw edges to prevent rust, and you are good to go....

[Eyegore]

Thanks for the info. How close was the shakle to the bottom of the bed of your truck when you finished? It only looks like 3/4" clearence that I have, is there a chance that they'll rub?

[N2TRUX]

Tom, that sounds about right. I can go look later if you want to be sure....

[Eyegore]

Thank you, that would be appreciated.

Tom

[1FaastC10]

Originally posted by tom mathein
Thanks for the info. How close was the shakle to the bottom of the bed of your truck when you finished? It only looks like 3/4" clearence that I have, is there a chance that they'll rub?

yes, they will contact the bed. it will have to be clearanced for them to fit. this DOES NOT require cutting the bed floor, just the support right about the shackle.