73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Lows (Lowering/Drops) => Topic started by: SinisterC10 on October 04, 2016, 05:55:11 PM
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This 81 c10 I just bought has been supposedly lowered 8" in the rear and 6" in the front. The previous owner did not know how it was done as he bought it like that.
I have the truck up on my lift and really can't say either. The axle is sitting on top of the leafs but I'm not sure if that's how they came from the factory. It also has a 10 bolt rear instead of the 12 bolt that's supposed to be in it. I guess 81' was the last year for the 12 bolt rear in these trucks?
The rear shocks are Monroe and seem to be a stock length shock according to the part number but they seem to be compressed almost all the way in.
I'm wondering what my best option for shocks would be on this truck? Should I just keep the stock style or buy a set for lowered vehicles? If the later which is a good brand to go with? I won't know much about the front until I pull the engine and do a front end rebuild this winter (new steering linkages, suspension bushings)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/CamaroMan79/IMG_0851_zpsdznqmcnv.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/CamaroMan79/media/IMG_0851_zpsdznqmcnv.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/CamaroMan79/IMG_0852_zpswuennnuu.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/CamaroMan79/media/IMG_0852_zpswuennnuu.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/CamaroMan79/IMG_0853_zpsl24nx5pa.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/CamaroMan79/media/IMG_0853_zpsl24nx5pa.jpg.html)
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You should definitely not keep the stock ones or your gonna be bottoming out on your shocks.
Check out Western Chassis DS2's. I used em on my last truck. They worked great.
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You should definitely not keep the stock ones or your gonna be bottoming out on your shocks.
Check out Western Chassis DS2's. I used em on my last truck. They worked great.
Will I need to relocate the bottom shock mounts?
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Nope
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Alright cool.
I swap the shocks out this winter when I rebuild the rear.
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Post some pics of the truck from the outside if you got any
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Post some pics of the truck from the outside if you got any
Outside? As in just side and rear views of the truck?
There is a rear view in my first thread up in the new member section. It's titled "Hello from WA"
I'll have to shoot some full side views tomorrow
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Post some pics of the truck from the outside if you got any
20" wheels
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/CamaroMan79/IMG_0854_zpsdclm3zil.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/CamaroMan79/media/IMG_0854_zpsdclm3zil.jpg.html)
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You should definitely not keep the stock ones or your gonna be bottoming out on your shocks.
Check out Western Chassis DS2's. I used em on my last truck. They worked great.
Will I need to relocate the bottom shock mounts?
You can verify by measuring from center spindle to bottom of wheel well. Factory is 19.5 inches. That is for both front and rear. You can keep factory shocks if you get the shock extenders, using shock extenders will actually improve the overall ride quality. Getting drop shocks and using them with factory shock location are not the correct angle and will not properly compress while driving down the road.
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You should definitely not keep the stock ones or your gonna be bottoming out on your shocks.
Check out Western Chassis DS2's. I used em on my last truck. They worked great.
Will I need to relocate the bottom shock mounts?
You can verify by measuring from center spindle to bottom of wheel well. Factory is 19.5 inches. That is for both front and rear. You can keep factory shocks if you get the shock extenders, using shock extenders will actually improve the overall ride quality. Getting drop shocks and using them with factory shock location are not the correct angle and will not properly compress while driving down the road.
Ok. From the bottom of my fender lip to the center of the wheel is 14" in the rear and 15" in the front.
How do shock extenders attach?
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http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57f5515830d2c/Shorty%2007-2008%20%281%29%20%28Small%29.jpg? (http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57f5515830d2c/Shorty%2007-2008%20%281%29%20%28Small%29.jpg?)
It attaches to the factory mount
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
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You should definitely not keep the stock ones or your gonna be bottoming out on your shocks.
Check out Western Chassis DS2's. I used em on my last truck. They worked great.
Will I need to relocate the bottom shock mounts?
You can verify by measuring from center spindle to bottom of wheel well. Factory is 19.5 inches. That is for both front and rear. You can keep factory shocks if you get the shock extenders, using shock extenders will actually improve the overall ride quality. Getting drop shocks and using them with factory shock location are not the correct angle and will not properly compress while driving down the road.
Ok. From the bottom of my fender lip to the center of the wheel is 14" in the rear and 15" in the front.
How do shock extenders attach?
Looks good though
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
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http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57f5515830d2c/Shorty%2007-2008%20%281%29%20%28Small%29.jpg? (http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57f5515830d2c/Shorty%2007-2008%20%281%29%20%28Small%29.jpg?)
It attaches to the factory mount
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
heck heck, that makes it easy. Saves money on shocks too. NOW, what about the front? Can I get away with running a lowering shock in the front? I'm not sure if the fronts are stock height shocks or not. I can't see part numbers.
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http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57f5515830d2c/Shorty%2007-2008%20%281%29%20%28Small%29.jpg? (http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57f5515830d2c/Shorty%2007-2008%20%281%29%20%28Small%29.jpg?)
It attaches to the factory mount
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
heck heck, that makes it easy. Saves money on shocks too. NOW, what about the front? Can I get away with running a lowering shock in the front? I'm not sure if the fronts are stock height shocks or not. I can't see part numbers.
Yes, I would run a lowering shock. I have a 4inch drop in the front and am running belltech drop shocks. If you have anything lower than 3 inches a factory shock will bottom out
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
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I used Belltech's Nitro Drop 2's. They worked great.
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For the record, all the trucks originally came Spring Over Axle. Yours has been converted to Spring Under Axle. Not sure about the spring pack, but the mounts and shackles are stock. Also have a c notched frame to clear. Couldn't tell if the bumpstops were removed or not.
Front is probably spindles and coils.
Typically, the longer shock you can run, the smoother it will ride. For example, a 10" travel shock (5 up/5 down) compressing 2" can be softer than a 6 or 8in travel shock. But, it all depends on the shock specs. If its got a high dampening rate, itll be stiffer on little bumps, but larger ones will soak. Low dampening would be exactly the opposite, soaks for little bumps, would be bouncier on big bumps.
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Does anybody know the overall length of the dropshocks? On my 85 Burb I have 11 3/4" mount to mount on the front and 14" on the rear. What length shock do I need?
Thanks
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Resurrecting this post from the dead.
I have a lowered '74 with a rear flip kit and stock rear shocks with shock extenders, I want to purchase lowered shocks for the rear to see if it will make a difference in ride quality. Before I decide on what brand to go with, I'd like to know if it is recommended to keep the shock extenders in place to help with the angle or just go without. Also, what shocks do you guys have and are happy with?
Thanks.
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Just FYI . If you plan to order belltech drop 2 shocks for your lowered truck, make sure you
Tell them you want lowering shocks, not oem shocks. I just put front pt # 8005 lowering shocks
On my 87 r10. They work good. Also, you can use stock shocks on rear if you use shock extenders,
Which I recommend.
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Resurrecting this post from the dead.
I have a lowered '74 with a rear flip kit and stock rear shocks with shock extenders, I want to purchase lowered shocks for the rear to see if it will make a difference in ride quality. Before I decide on what brand to go with, I'd like to know if it is recommended to keep the shock extenders in place to help with the angle or just go without. Also, what shocks do you guys have and are happy with?
Thanks.
Its pointless to go with lowering shocks if you have shock extenders, the whole point of the extenders is to keep the correct geometry of the suspension. If you want a better quality shock absober you cant go wrong with KYb gas adjust shocks.
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I do have shock extenders on now with the stock shock, I was just unsure if it was recommended to use the shock extenders along with the shorter shocks. I will check out KYB's (stock length) and see if the ride is improved.
Thanks guys for your recommendations!
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I do have shock extenders on now with the stock shock, I was just unsure if it was recommended to use the shock extenders along with the shorter shocks. I will check out KYB's (stock length) and see if the ride is improved.
Thanks guys for your recommendations!
are your bumpstop brackets removed, if they are not that will play a huge role in ride quality. You also have to remember lowered vehicles are going to ride different than factory height vehicles.