Finally lowered my C20

[northerngmc]

A big thank you to all who have answered my questions over that past couple of years about lowering my 1968 C20

I ended up using C10 springs as getting C20 coil springs shipped to Canada was more than I handle.

2" front
4" rear

I measured the top of the fender openings before and after. The front dropped 1.5" and the rear 4".

Truck rides better with the C10 springs.

The biggest problem I encountered was with the front ballpoints. Took some time to get it to cone apart. That is when I had a problem. The lower control arm would not clear the brake backing plate. Most things I read while researching this said it should. Well it won't on a 68 C20 with front drums.

I also decided to paint the wheels and remove the hubcaps. The wheels are painted a flat green.

Time to wax it up now and park it for the winter.
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[northerngmc]

And before

[Already Gone]

Looks good Blaine. So you changed nothing but the springs to attain the drop?

[northerngmc]

Changed all 4 coil springs.

I also went with shorter shocks.

I didn't do anything about the pan hard bar. Seems to be mixed comments on wether it is needed with only a 4" rear drop. I couldn't get an adjustable pan hard bar for the C20 so I left the stock one in place.

[Tailfin57]

Just saw your post, truck looks great. I have a 70 c20 and want to lower it. How did you go about it?

[northerngmc]

Well I spent a couple of years pondering and reading some of the great material found on this site.

The front coils are much harder than the rear. You need to open up the control arms to get the spring in and out. I first tried separating the lower ball joint from the spindle. I had read that once the ball joint was separated the lower control arm could swing out of the way. Caution needs to be used as the spring is under pressure. A floor jack under the lower control arm until it is free and then you can let the Jack down. I spent quite a bit of time trying to get the ball joint to separate from the spindle. Once it came apart the lower control arm wouldn't drop down because it was caught up on the brake backing plate. So after many hours I was back to square one

I then unbolted the two u bolts that old the other end of the lower control arm. This went well. I probably spent 8-10 hours on the first side and 2 hours on the second side.

I suggest searching. There are much better descriptions than I have provided.

There is a good thread on C20 Lowering listing different options for us C20 lowering and where parts are available.

[northerngmc]

Difference in the front springs.

[northerngmc]

Huge difference in the rear springs.

I am guessing that this is the huge difference in ride quality. Much smoother running empty.

[yuccales]

Looks good!

[70's luvr]

Nicely Done!

[Tailfin57]

Thanks for the info and pics. Huge difference in springs! I will order a lowering kit for a c10 and give it a shot. Thanks again!

[leddzepp]

Looks great. What size tires are you running? I like how they fill up the wheel wells.

[WB72]

Nice Truck, you did a great job.

My truck was similar, with the exception of the front, I used 73+ control arms and A frames from a 1/2 ton. this allowed me to use spindles as well as springs. although the rear was just springs.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Looks great. What size tires are you running? I like how they fill up the wheel wells.

235/85/R16

A tall and skinny tire but they do fill the wheel wells.

[Mayo]

That looks great! I love those 50th Anniversary trucks, I'm still looking for one,

[Sicklajoie]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I really, really, REALLY liked your truck in the before picture.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Don't take this the wrong way, but I really, really, REALLY liked your truck in the before picture.

It is a great truck, both before and after. As a survivor truck with mostly original paint (pass side box has a part repaint from damage, before me) I respect that this truck should not be cut up. In fact that is how I ended up getting the truck. Another member bought the truck to use parts on a SWB project and after driving it, he could not tear it apart.

396, factory air, 50th Anniversary....... And it drives so wonderfully.

Parts are all sitting is a box, so if it needs to go back original, it can.