Opinions Please... Lower my Big Dually

[Woodyboat]

While I'm not new to square body trucks, I've only ever used them for work. So, I never have lowered one of them. My current truck is a 1986 crew-cab dually. I have not planned on lowering it but just the other day, I realized that I probably need to. My 85 year old mother tried getting into the passenger's side and she couldn't pull herself up. My dad is also 85 and he is even weaker than mom. It dawned on me that, if I could do a modest lowering job, my folks could climb in and out as easily as they do when we take the car somewhere. How's THAT for an excuse to lower a truck? LOL

This is a truck that I need to use. It aint no show truck, it's a GO truck and, above all else, I need to maintain the practicality. I like the drop spindles idea that I've seen on half-tons and other cars. In fact, I used to drag race an air cooled VW that had drop spindles on it and the ride was completely unaffected from stock. Who sells drop spindles for C30s?

I know that cutting the front coils would drop the front but I wonder about any compromise in ride and work ability.

What's the easiest way to lower the rear? I want to keep with the original rake, too. How far can one drop the rear before the frame needs to be notched?

Of course, bagging the truck is out of the question. That's just way more involvement than what I'm looking for.

[Malo83]

I think lowered duallys look awesome, there are a couple running around town here, there are a lot of kits out there that will get you where you want to be and still give you a good ride

[Matt Man]

I had a 86 that I first lowered 3/4 I used drop spindles in the front, and rear shackles and hangars.

[Woodyboat]

Originally Posted by Malo83

I think lowered duallys look awesome,

I do too, actually!! You don't suppose I'd void the factory warranty, do you?

Originally Posted by Matt Man

I had a 86 that I first lowered 3/4 I used drop spindles in the front, and rear shackles and hangars.

Yeah, I've seen a LOT of kits for the half and three quarter ton trucks. And I am thinking that if my truck had only a single rear wheel, the three quarter kit would be the same. At least I don't know why it wouldn't. But I will likely be looking for a dually kit and I don't know if the spindles themselves will be the same or not. I've never actually had the front apart to see. Hmmmm

I found this kit. Anyone had any experience? As I understand it, no other mods would have to be made and wheel alignment will not be radically changed. Am I right?

https://westernchassisinc.com/1973-9...-Lowering-Kit/

Somehow, I really thought that this was going to be way more involved. But this kit looks like just what I'm looking for and is really simple. I have to admit. I'm surprised - pleasantly!

[SCOTI]

Bell Tech or Western Chassis for spindles, shackles, & hangers.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Woodyboat

I found this kit. Anyone had any experience? As I understand it, no other mods would have to be made and wheel alignment will not be radically changed. Am I right?

https://westernchassisinc.com/1973-9...-Lowering-Kit/

Somehow, I really thought that this was going to be way more involved. But this kit looks like just what I'm looking for and is really simple. I have to admit. I'm surprised - pleasantly!

That kit involves cutting half your frame off and bolting up c-notch plates to restore the strength, exactly what your not looking for. I'd research and make sure you can lower it 4" before needing the notch as western seems to think it does and they are very good at this. Rear helper bags are extremely simple, not sure why you'd be afraid of them.

[Woodyboat]

Originally Posted by Tom

... I'd research and make sure you can lower it 4" before needing the notch as western seems to think it does and they are very good at this. Rear helper bags are extremely simple, not sure why you'd be afraid of them.

As for the rear bags, I guess that I just don't really understand them yet. I think that most of the trucks that i've seen that are bagged are really radically low and that's not what i want. But if what you're saying is true than I will certainly look further into them.

I've been thinking that a 4" drop would be just about right. So, if I can do this without notching the frame, I'm all over that. Thank you much for the positive feedback.

[rickywideglide]

i have same truck was looking into western chassis for 3 inch dropped spindles and shackles and hangers for 4 inch in rear,from what i have read any more then 4 inches will need a notch,

[drivewaycustoms]

I agree with some others here; spindles, shackle and hanger would be ideal. I have the western chassis 6"/8" kit for mine, I just haven't had time to put it on.

[Woodyboat]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Bell Tech or Western Chassis for spindles, shackles, & hangers.

Ok Scoti, I checked out Bell Tech and I like what they have. Thank you for the heads up there.

They have what looks to be a really nice kit that does not look super involved, other than changing out the front spindles. The kit calls for a 3" drop in the front and a 4" drop in the back. There is nothing said in the description about notching the frame. It is my guess that notching the frame becomes necessary when the axle is flipped. Am I right on this?

The Bell kit does show different shackles from stock and I'm sure that this is where the drop is achieved and the axle is not flipped.

Originally Posted by drivewaycustoms

I agree with some others here; spindles, shackle and hanger would be ideal. I have the western chassis 6"/8" kit for mine, I just haven't had time to put it on.

Cooooooool! Please take photos when you do the installation.

Originally Posted by rickywideglide

i have same truck was looking into western chassis for 3 inch dropped spindles and shackles and hangers for 4 inch in rear,from what i have read any more then 4 inches will need a notch,

Ok, I'm beginning to believe that you're right. Anything MORE than a 4" drop requires a notch but a 4" doesn't. .... i think. lol

[SCOTI]

Every truck is different. 4" drop on the rear should not require c-notching for clearance. To be 100% sure of this, put a tape measure between the top of your rear ends axle tube & the bottom of the frame (frame, not factory bump-stop). Once you've verified that dimension, you'll have your answer.

[Woodyboat]

Ok, that makes sense. But how much clearance am I looking for? I will still need some for normal driving.

Actually, I think I'll go right out there and measure to see how much i have anyway. I'll be back.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Woodyboat

Ok, that makes sense. But how much clearance am I looking for? I will still need some for normal driving.

Actually, I think I'll go right out there and measure to see how much i have anyway. I'll be back.

Mine was about 8" @ the stock height. Ideally, I would want 3-4" of compression travel. The shackle/hanger combo should allow that. If you needed more insurance for pulling heavy/loaded trailers, you could always add a simple airbag set-up (air over leaf).

[Tom]

I bet with helper bags you can do a 4" rear drop without a notch.
Yes, super low trucks will full air bag suspensions are alot of work and not for you. Helper bags are airbags that go along with the stock leaf springs, they are not for ride height adjustment at all.