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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Lows (Lowering/Drops) => Topic started by: 87swb on November 29, 2004, 10:30:00 pm

Title: cheapest way of lowering a truck
Post by: 87swb on November 29, 2004, 10:30:00 pm

2wd swb 87. thinking of taking out the bottom leaf spring. will it sit higher in the front than in the back. i want it to sit a little bit lower in the back.

any suggestions

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Title: Re: cheapest way of lowering a truck
Post by: Sano on November 29, 2004, 10:38:00 pm

I really don't know why you would do that, but taking out leaf springs will lower it a little, but the ride will get rougher in the rear for each leaf you take out.

Title: Re: cheapest way of lowering a truck
Post by: roundedline on November 29, 2004, 10:39:00 pm

Removing the bottom leaf or the helper spring?
If you are removing the helper, it will drop the amount of thickness of the helper.  If you remove the leaf it might go 1/2"

If you want it level, get a shackle kit.  

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Title: to roundedline
Post by: 87swb on November 30, 2004, 03:49:00 pm

people always told me i could do that the cheapest way. just wondering what ya'll thought. how much does a shackle kit run anyway for my truck.

Title: shackle kit
Post by: Sano on November 30, 2004, 07:10:00 pm

belltech actually makes a 1" shackle kit for the rear and that is about $40. A belltech 4" rear shackle and flip kit is $160 or so. The back is always pretty cheap to lower compared to the front...

Title: Re: shackle kit
Post by: 87swb on November 30, 2004, 07:16:00 pm

appreciate it Sano and Roundedline

Title: Re: shackle kit
Post by: RSBAD454 on December 09, 2004, 09:36:00 am

there is not cheap way really...best way is to purcahse a BellTech lowering kit and be done with it.  

Toys are my game

Title: shackle kit
Post by: 87swb on December 09, 2004, 07:29:00 pm

if i do lower it i probably will buy a shackle kit from Bell Tech. im just on a tight budget. thanks for the info on Bell Tech, couple of others on here referred Bell Tech too.

Title: Re: shackle kit
Post by: RSBAD454 on December 13, 2004, 12:52:00 pm

If you're on a budget....save a little here and there and eventually buy what you want. Don't be in a hurry and just buy something cause you feel you need to or are in a hurry to lower truck. I use to always be in a hurry and settle for something I didnt want or could afford at the time.  

Toys are my game

Title: shackle kit
Post by: 87swb on December 15, 2004, 09:43:00 pm

that's probably good advice.

Title: Re: shackle kit
Post by: infantry vet on December 31, 2004, 09:54:00 pm

87swb im in your shoes,im looking for the cheapest way as well.i just dont feel like putting too much money in it.i just want it low,im not really concerned with ride quality as its just a work/play truck.not looking to invest in spindles etc..im just trying to git r done  

Title: Re: shackle kit
Post by: kel on January 02, 2005, 12:57:00 pm

I might think your not concerned with how smooth the ride is but you will. My truck was lowered the cheap way and the ride beats your kidneys to death.

But if you are looking for the cheapest way to do it this might work.  Put some weight in the bed then take a torch and start heating the leaf springs until you get the height you want. Be careful not to cut the springs. Try using a rosebud tip on your torch.

To do the front, remove the coil spring and cut some off the the bottom. Make sure you cut the same amount off both springs. This will keep the ride a little smoother.  If you are scared to cut them you can leave them in put some weight on them and heat them like the leaf springs.

Just remember, you start heating stuff there's no going back.  

Title: shackle kit
Post by: 87swb on January 02, 2005, 07:02:00 pm

yeah i thought about doing that. but you're right once heated can't go back. there is another way i forgot to mention. put the axle on top of the leaf springs and flip the U-bolts. i've seen this on many trucks.

Title: lowering
Post by: Sano on January 02, 2005, 08:28:00 pm

a flip kit is cheap and makes your truck low but is can sometimes result in some axle wrap.

Title: Re: lowering
Post by: BadDually on February 18, 2005, 08:01:00 pm

I just put 2" shackles on the back of my duelly, was just enough to "even" the truck out. Total cost for shackles was $50ish. Took about an hour to change them out.  

Title: leveling the rear, cheaply
Post by: 77c15 on February 18, 2005, 10:24:00 pm

Summit Racing Equipment offers "Ground Force" (under Summit name, of course) shackles for fairly cheap, and   Truck just started carrying individual lowering components. Hope this helps. Check out my page (page 2) for my shackle install.
-Mike

www.cardomain.com/memberpage/788720

Title: cheapest way of lowering a truck
Post by: 87swb on February 19, 2005, 09:27:00 pm

well i got another question, what do ya'll mean by axle wrap? is that something bad?i just want my truck to sit a little lower in the back, maybe an inch or a little over.i don't want it to sit lower in the back than in the front.isn't stock height 2 inches higher then the front?

Title: Re: cheapest way of lowering a truck
Post by: roundedline on February 19, 2005, 10:55:00 pm

Axle wrap is where the axle twists the springs up in the front.  I haven't had a problem with this with a normal flip kit.  If you use blocks in addition to this is when it can happen.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Title: air shocks
Post by: 87swb on March 01, 2005, 06:28:00 pm

well if i use air shocks can't i adjust the way it sits?

Title: Re: air shocks
Post by: roundedline on March 02, 2005, 02:07:00 pm

I personally cannot recommend air shocks on anything.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

Title: air shocks
Post by: 87swb on March 13, 2005, 06:58:00 pm

i take it you've had bad luck with these. is there a downside to them?

Title: Re: air shocks
Post by: shadecrack on March 19, 2005, 07:36:00 pm

I had a set on my 74 nova, it worked great!, I could tune the shocks to put just enough pressure to make the tires hook up  the only downside was when I was driving home on night in the rain (isn't it weird how things break down late at night out in the boondocks in sucky weather?)  and I blew the back right shock out... not fun.. driving along , hit a bump and suddenly the back right of the car feels like it is dragging,  not fun to drive home , and not fun trying to get the jack under the car.. look a stock 74 nova hatchback and you will understand..
other then that , I loved the cheap tune-ability of the shocks .
eugene