Author Topic: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!  (Read 58458 times)

Offline Captkaos

  • OWNER and Administrator
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18461
    • http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #30 on: January 31, 2009, 03:48:39 pm »
The stock springs are what made the difference in the front.  The originals were old and settled then someone cut them to lower the truck  When putting stock springs back in it will actually lift the truck again for some time.

Offline rockable

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 210
  • Truckin', like the do-dah man.
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #31 on: January 31, 2009, 04:37:59 pm »
That's why I'm happy with where it's at.  I know it will settle some more over time.  I just didn't want to drive it around looking like it did.
'86 SWB Silverado

Offline chevymotocross

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 95
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #32 on: January 31, 2009, 07:19:38 pm »
This happens alot. Lots of people think they are set buying the complete 3/5 kit from djm. What most don't understand though is you also need to add drop springs to this kit to make it a 4/5 or 5/5. With just the spindles up front, and a flip in the rear, you are going to have that "boating effect" like you experienced. I am getting a flip kit, 2.5'' spindles, and 2'' springs to make it a 4.5/5 drop. Hopefully my 255/70/15 tires don't rub too bad up front while I save for 255/60s
1987 Chevy Silverado 2wd SWB: 305 TBI, 700r4, dual exhaust, tbi mods, k&n filter, belltech sway bar

Offline treepete

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 193
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #33 on: February 01, 2009, 07:29:50 am »
wow, a great thread. Rock, I like your garage/work area. Its ver clean and organized.
1983 Silverado
1999 Yukon Denali 

Other problem: Off-Road R/C.     www.rccorral.com

Offline rockable

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 210
  • Truckin', like the do-dah man.
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #34 on: February 01, 2009, 11:50:49 am »
Thanks. I built me a new Morton metal building this past year.  It's got two 30X30 work areas for a total of 1800 sq ft.  It's for housing cars and restoring them.....and pickups now.
'86 SWB Silverado

Offline sgoody43

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 15
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #35 on: February 02, 2009, 12:11:25 pm »
nice truck and I can't help but notice how clean it is.  I also like your work area.  keep posting the things you do to your truck

Offline modular93fox

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 162
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #36 on: May 26, 2009, 01:38:48 pm »
what did you grind to make the stock rallys fit? you didnt grind the a arm channel did you?
1987 5.3 4l60e Silverado - daily driver with A/C,P/W,P/L,TILT, HID projectors & 13.8" Rear Disc Brakes
A poor man buy's it twice

Offline oldwhity

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1037
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #37 on: May 26, 2009, 10:07:36 pm »
what did you grind to make the stock rallys fit? you didnt grind the a arm channel did you?

huh ???  ???  ???
Rob G.
81 Chevy K20 4x4 LWB stepside
I enjoy long quiet walks..........in a junkyard!

Offline exilous

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 244
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #38 on: May 26, 2009, 10:55:38 pm »
I am assuming he means the "lip" or "channel" that runs the perimeter of the a arms...

Offline oldwhity

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1037
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #39 on: May 27, 2009, 11:43:31 am »
Oh, it was the "spindle casting" as stated on the first page.
Rob G.
81 Chevy K20 4x4 LWB stepside
I enjoy long quiet walks..........in a junkyard!

Offline modular93fox

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 162
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #40 on: May 31, 2009, 06:42:10 pm »
alright just asking because i totaled one of my 87's becuase i grinded down the lower a-arm's "rain gutter"/channel to fit stock rallys when i switched to lowering spindles... going down the freeway and i felt the most unnerving thing, pulled over, looked under the bottom of the truck didnt see anything wiered, got back on the freeway and right about 50 the drivers side tire went left while i was steering strait and sucked me 3 lanes accross the highway almost strait into the concrete wall. killed the frame, fender, hood and bumper. the arm fatigued near the ball joint...
just throwing my experience out there.. never again will i grind a rain gutter...
1987 5.3 4l60e Silverado - daily driver with A/C,P/W,P/L,TILT, HID projectors & 13.8" Rear Disc Brakes
A poor man buy's it twice

Offline oldwhity

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1037
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #41 on: May 31, 2009, 09:20:55 pm »
Oh snap! Definitely something to keep in mind.
Rob G.
81 Chevy K20 4x4 LWB stepside
I enjoy long quiet walks..........in a junkyard!

Offline Captkaos

  • OWNER and Administrator
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18461
    • http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #42 on: June 01, 2009, 12:28:23 pm »
If it requires that much grinding you should reinforce the area. 

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19180
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #43 on: June 01, 2009, 04:11:23 pm »
Cut it down with a die grider. Smooth it out then weld a bead around the perimeter.  Mine came out mint.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline oldwhity

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1037
Re: Help! 3/5 lowering kit installed and my front end is higher!
« Reply #44 on: June 01, 2009, 07:06:01 pm »
So basically if you get drop spindles you'll need to do this unless your going to use taller wheels correct?
Rob G.
81 Chevy K20 4x4 LWB stepside
I enjoy long quiet walks..........in a junkyard!