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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Lows (Lowering/Drops) => Topic started by: 82ChebySWB on March 27, 2009, 08:16:52 am

Title: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: 82ChebySWB on March 27, 2009, 08:16:52 am: Ok guys, I'm right in the middle of tearing my front end apart,repairing some worn out components, and dropping the truck.

I've got 3" drop spindles...... and a flip kit for the rear. I ordered new 4"-6" drop shocks for the rear.

For the front I need to cut the coils down a bit to get it dropped with the rear. We cut one coil from the base of the spring so it'd sit flat in the pocket----but from the looks of the truck it barely did anything in the front. I know if I drive on it a bit it'll settle....but no where close to what the rear will be with the flip.

What's the best way to cut on the coil? Did we do it right by cutting on the base of the coil? I was under the impression that one coil equalled 2" of drop..... Should I cut another coil?

I'd appreciate any and all help..... Lookin forward to finally having my truck dropped.

OH, and my lower arms didn't need trimming with my Torque Thrusts....which surprised me ;)
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: Captkaos on March 27, 2009, 11:51:22 am: All of your answers should be here: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11104.0;topicseen
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: 82ChebySWB on March 29, 2009, 12:24:38 pm: Thanks..... I didn't have a chance to get back to the forum to check for posts....so my brother and just "winged it" :)

The first coils we cut were waaay to dang short. I picked up another set of coils yesterday at a salvage yard and recut and it's perfect.

Now I just need to "roll" the fenders a bit for extra tire clearance and I'll be ready for alignment and done.
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: nitropyro on April 01, 2009, 06:20:07 am: got any pics?
Danny
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: 82ChebySWB on April 01, 2009, 06:07:14 pm: Nah, not yet....

I did get the truck aligned today and it's good to go.

I'll clean the truck up a bit this weekend and put some of the interior back together for pics.....
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: 82ChebySWB on April 05, 2009, 09:45:33 pm: Finally got a few pics shot this morning. There was a dew on the truck, and I didn't really have a chance to wash the truck before pics...but oh well.

Before:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/Texslot/My%20Chevy%20truck%20resto%20project%20pics/82swbchevytruckprogressfrontpic2.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/Texslot/My%20Chevy%20truck%20resto%20project%20pics/82swbchevytruckprogressrearpic.jpg)

AND finally after:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/Texslot/My%20Chevy%20truck%20resto%20project%20pics/82chevytruck005.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/Texslot/My%20Chevy%20truck%20resto%20project%20pics/82chevytruck007.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/Texslot/My%20Chevy%20truck%20resto%20project%20pics/82chevytruck004.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/Texslot/My%20Chevy%20truck%20resto%20project%20pics/82chevytruck003.jpg)
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: oldwhity on April 05, 2009, 09:54:15 pm: I love the attitude look. Do you have headers and if so are they close to the ground?
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: 82ChebySWB on April 05, 2009, 10:03:26 pm: Quote from: oldwhity on April 05, 2009, 09:54:15 pm
I love the attitude look. Do you have headers and if so are they close to the ground?

I've got some new long tube headers....but I just haven't installed them yet. Hopefully in a month or so I'll have them on.....because I'll have the entire exhaust redone with 3" pipe with dumps....and probably 1 chamber Flowmasters. I've had the truck on a rack already....and there should be plenty of clearance for the headers.

I actually had a '70 Chevy truck before that was lower in the front and I ran headers on it with very few ground clearance issues.
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: Chevalade on April 06, 2009, 09:49:08 pm: Looks good, how much did you hack off on the second set of coils?
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: 82ChebySWB on April 06, 2009, 10:02:01 pm: Quote from: Chevalade on April 06, 2009, 09:49:08 pm
Looks good, how much did you hack off on the second set of coils?

We only cut off one complete coil (from start to finnish a full 360 degree circle)
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: oldwhity on April 07, 2009, 08:40:50 pm: Two more questions. What size tires and do they rub?
Title: Re: Finally tearing into my truck......need a couple pointers
Post by: 82ChebySWB on April 07, 2009, 08:57:08 pm: Quote from: oldwhity on April 07, 2009, 08:40:50 pm
Two more questions. What size tires and do they rub?

Not exactly sure on the tire sizes...but the front rims are 15x8 and the rears are 15x10.

If the tires rubbed this drop would be pointless....so nope, no tire rubs. I did cut out the rear inner fenders about 4" up at the center of the rear wheelwells and tapered them off at the edges of the wheelwells. I did this to make for darn sure the rears would clear....THEN the rear fender lips was doubled back inside (or AKA rolled over)

I'm going to go ahead and roll the front fender lips too when I get some time.....just for future safety's sake (and any potential body roll from hard cornering under speed)