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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Lows (Lowering/Drops) => Topic started by: tbarrii on August 05, 2011, 03:25:25 pm

Title: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: tbarrii on August 05, 2011, 03:25:25 pm
hey all. i was wondering if it is possible to lower a 4x4 so that its stance is like a 2 wheel.  i love my truck but like the stance of the 2 wheel drive.  i dont know if this is possible.  any suggestions would help lots!!  thanks   Thomas in Des Moines
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: 1979C20 on August 05, 2011, 04:56:43 pm
What exactly are you looking for? Like, lower the rear an inch or two and give the front a bit of a lower to give it rake? The rear would be easy, just remove your spring hangers and bolt 2wd hangers on. And for the front, maybe a shorter shackle? Or if you can find springs with a negative arch?
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Irish_Alley on August 05, 2011, 08:37:06 pm
Lol most people in 4x4 like it stock or taller but its your truck. How much drop got any pics. Tires?
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: tbarrii on August 05, 2011, 10:01:14 pm
i know its little out of the ordinary, but i like the convenience of the 4wheel drive, but i want it to sit like a 2 wheel.  i have no desire to use it to go off roading with.  i just want to use the 4x4 in the winter if i need it.  i will try to post pics soon
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Da67goatman on August 06, 2011, 09:09:44 am
You could link and bag both ends and have complete control over ride height.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: ssapach on August 06, 2011, 04:18:49 pm
Remove a leaf in the front....?
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Irish_Alley on August 06, 2011, 05:30:34 pm
might be a little risky up front with only a couple leafs to begin with
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: ssapach on August 07, 2011, 09:55:04 am
My next suggestion is spring under axle.....

BUT, I don't know how possible this is (if at all), as I recall the passenger spring is mounted to a flat spot machined into the diff pumpkin.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Irish_Alley on August 07, 2011, 04:21:33 pm
if its a d60 then no but i would kind of be worried about the drive shaft
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Captkaos on August 08, 2011, 08:12:53 pm
Can't be done.  If you want it lower, buy a 4x2.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Psycho71 on August 12, 2011, 10:26:12 pm
Can't be done.  If you want it lower, buy a 4x2.


That sounds like a dare to me! ;)

I could see it done, but not w/o lots of custom fab work. If it were to be done safely.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Da67goatman on August 13, 2011, 08:33:40 am
Could do a body drop...
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: big bear on August 13, 2011, 08:34:27 am
thats true
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: thirsty on August 13, 2011, 03:27:08 pm
How about some different wheels and some low profile tires?
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Psycho71 on August 14, 2011, 01:52:57 pm
Personally, I could see the appeal in lowering a 4wd truck, I suppose. A buddy years ago used to street race an old ford bronco they had cobbled a pretty mean 383 stroker into. While other fellas were having problems hooking their cars up on the street, he never had an issue getting his to hook up and go forward with all 4 tires (slicks) pulling. It was unique, as well as functional. Of course, he started breaking front axle shafts and other related items, so it didn't last to long before he was back to using a much more conventional set-up to race with. He just couldn't afford to keep up with the cost of fixing the front diff.. And being drag racers at the time, we didn't have a good understanding of available upgrades to make it more reliable. This was all before Al Gore invented the internet though! But the theory was there, and it was good. Just needed a LOT of upgrading the driveline components to be reliable. And even then, don't know if it ever would have been completely reliable.

Or................ even using one for something like a Pike's Peak type rally truck? Low COG, high HP, aggressive tires, stiff suspension, LET'S GO!

Just lots more moving parts and suspension components to consider. Like I said earlier in the thread, lots of custom fab work involved to make it safe and reliable.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: chevymanrob on August 24, 2011, 09:03:37 pm
useless info but NEAT....do some searches for "miss misery" racing. 4x4 truck, HUGE blown engine, and iirc 8 second time slips.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Isaac3384 on August 25, 2011, 01:02:19 pm
I've seen lowered 4x4s before, but they've all had the IFS. You really need to look at everything that could potentially come in contact with the axle and/or frame; I.e. steering, crossmembers, driveshaft, exhaust, oil pan, etc...you could be looking to do something that just isn't practical for a solid front axle truck. I'm sure it's possible, but it's probably not a good idea.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: Edahall on August 25, 2011, 05:02:27 pm
Use a 4 link suspension up front and use air bags to have a fully adjustable suspension.
Title: Re: i want to lower my 85 4x4
Post by: muddpuppy01 on August 25, 2011, 06:13:26 pm
miss misery is a beast of a truck running in the outlaw 10.5 but it is a ifs truck and most of it is custom