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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Lows (Lowering/Drops) => Topic started by: greatdane on August 27, 2012, 09:38:12 am

Title: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on August 27, 2012, 09:38:12 am
 Thinking about a 3 & 4 inch drop.
Would 3" drop spindles and 2" shackles & 2" hangers be the best way for good ride quality? Drop coils are cheaper but I have heard if you use 3" ones your ride can be bad!? Can you use your stock shocks and everything with a 3,4 drop?
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: Captkaos on August 28, 2012, 05:17:40 pm
I would recommend spindles and shackle/hangers for a good ride, you don't want to use 3" drop springs.
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on August 29, 2012, 10:03:20 am
Ive been researching 5" flip kits. I may go 3-5. How does that look? I don't like the rearend looking "saggy" though. Also I don't want to have to buy different tires in the front so I dont think I should go more than 3 to 3 1/2" up there....
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: Captkaos on August 29, 2012, 01:38:44 pm
A 2" difference generally puts these trucks almost level, a 3/5 will look better in my opinion.
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on September 13, 2012, 02:01:06 pm
Looking at 3" drop spindles on Ebay. Ever heard of springtech or crown suspention? They are cheaper than the rest, wonder if its junk?
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: Captkaos on September 13, 2012, 02:55:14 pm
Nope.  I generally stick with Belltech, DJM, McGaughy or Western Chassis (in no particular order)  I have even used AIM with good results.
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on September 18, 2012, 04:34:37 pm
Just ordered a DJM 3/4 drop kit. Should arrive Monday. Hope to have it on by the end of the month.

Questions:
Do 3" spindles effect anything like...brake lines or make anything rub(I have 17" wheels)?
Can you run your stock shocks with 3" spindles and 4" shackles & hangers?

I dont want any surprises  :o
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: jt1200r on September 20, 2012, 05:47:34 am
stock front shocks will be ok. the rears will need new.
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on September 27, 2012, 10:36:46 am
Teaser pic... 3" in Front and 2" in Back. Still have to put the hangers on to get the back down 2 more inches...
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on September 29, 2012, 08:31:48 am
Before & After
Title: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: Tx_Phil on September 29, 2012, 01:24:55 pm
Generally speaking I don't care for lowered trucks but this one looks really good. In my opinion you've got the right proportion of ride height and wheel \ tire size.  Nicely done !
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on September 29, 2012, 09:09:51 pm
Thanks, i think it turned out good. I may go down one more inch in the front later but Im going to run it lke this until I get it painted. A couple more pics...
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: 70fastback on October 01, 2012, 02:43:55 pm
Thanks, i think it turned out good. I may go down one more inch in the front later but Im going to run it lke this until I get it painted. A couple more pics...

I think it looks really good too!!! It's funny when I first saw the pic, prior to reading your comments, I thought it could go down a little bit more in the front.  How do you plan on doing that???  Cut some off the coil spring???
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on October 06, 2012, 08:35:44 pm
Cutting half a coil or buy 1" drop coils??? I don't want my ride to suffer, the truck is actually riding pretty good since we put the drop on it. Does cutting 1/2 to 3/4 off a coil hurt the ride much? Also my alignment shop said they would never get it aligned if I messed with the coils any!!? Because they have all the shims in it they can have already!? How bad will it throw the alignment off? Would drop coils or cutting them be the best way to go? I'm kinda leaning towards just leaving it alone LOL.....
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: Captkaos on October 12, 2012, 09:59:52 am
If you just want to go down 1", 1/2 a coil is about max.  Start with 1/4 and drive it and see if you like it. 
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: greatdane on October 15, 2012, 09:38:06 am
went ahead and put some 2" drop coils in her over the weekend.... I'm done!
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: 70fastback on October 15, 2012, 12:57:52 pm
Looks Awesome!!!  Can't wait to do mine...
Love the two-tone color!
Title: Re: thinking about lowering my 84 swb
Post by: travisr1988 on April 07, 2015, 12:15:44 am
Out of curiosity, What size tires are those? And btw truck looks great at all hieghts.