73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Lows (Lowering/Drops) => Topic started by: 79_Silverado_Big10 on August 20, 2015, 11:34:47 pm
-
Hello all,
I've been checking out good info on this site for awhile now. I've owned my dream vehicle; a 79 short box, Big 10, for about 3 years now. I have always wanted this style truck for as long as I can remember and before I got it, it always seemed to allude me somehow. I've had a really beat up 69 c20. I also owned an 83 gmc 4x4 for about 3 months before the driveline fell out and then it threw a rod. Anyways, I don't care what happens to this bad boy, it's going to my great grandkids someday.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/20/85996c7d3b4ff0b911e179f702505bca.jpg)
Anyways, some of my Chevy friends have been telling me it's time to get the old girl a little lower and I definitely agree with them. My ? for you all is this- I have a swb with a 56" 5 leaf w/3 leaf overload springs. It looks like a couple companies make a 3" drop shackle. Since my shackles are 4"s from the bed support rail and there would be about a 1/2-5/8 clearance(my estimate) from the top of the new shackle to the bottom of the bed, would this be a good starting point. If I did this, I would go with a 2.5"-3" drop spindle at the same time. Later on if I want more drop, I'd probably go with hangers and cut the front coils.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/20/2d500fc4ef18846dacf9f60b3ae14832.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/20/3c94e0879f081d4d5358b847c8f82709.jpg)
When I lower it I'll probably also take off the overload springs. Is there much value for these on craigslist ect.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/20/7c0188b37493970d43cf5ed9f24246d0.jpg)
Thank you for any help you can offer me. forgive me if I continue to pick your brains.
Thanks,
Jeff
-
On that setup you can use hangers but how lower are you wanting to go in the rear?
I would ditch the springs on the top... And the coiled shocks...
-
I'm planning on getting rid of the shocks and extra springs. I want to do the 3" shackles and spindles for now. If I want more, I'll do 2" drop hangers and do something with the front coils.... I think?
-
I don't think you can get 3" drop out of just shackles, unless they came up with something I am not aware of. You might get 2 out of them.
Typically shackles and hangers get you 4".
-
Your right. I can't find the 3" now. I must have been looking at a shackle from belltech for a newer model truck. It looks like there is a 2.5" from rough country. Seems like a 3" would fit though.
-
Thanks everyone for your warm welcome and words of wisdom.... I think I'm just going to sell my truck for scrap.
-
Thanks everyone for your warm welcome and words of wisdom.... I think I'm just going to sell my truck for scrap.
Wait...What? Where did this come from? 48 hours ago you joined the site & were "keeping it for the grandkids" & now giving up...Whats up with that? Lorne
-
I was mostly joking. I think I should have posted in the welcome section.