Newbie with Questions?

[tx5.7travel]

Hey guys, Awesome Site! I'm a newbie and I'm looking for a new project. I have decided to go with a 81-87 1/2 ton SWB 2wd. I have not yet bought a the truck but thats no problem. I like to do my home work before rolling up my sleeves. I have read a lot good things about DJM Static drop kits and I saw one on Godfather customs:
  5" Front - 5" Rear Drop Lowering Kit
Smooth ride. Easy install. Great price. That's exactly what you get when you choose a DJM lowering kit.  DJM lowering kits include the parts you need to lower the front and rear of your truck or SUV. You get the lower stance you want without the harsh ride common w ...more
 
Kit Includes:
Front Coil Springs
Front Control Arms
Control Arm Mounting Shafts
Front Spindles
Rear Flip Kit
 
Vehicle Application:
1973 - 1987 CHEVROLET Pickup C/K 1500 2wd
1973 - 1987 GMC Pickup C/K 1500 2wd
 
 From what I have read here, it seems this set up would give you more than 5" in the front and 5" in the rear, does any one have any advice on this kit? I am thinking of 20" wheels to help clear the tie rod and LCA, just curious if this set up will rub the fender well any? Is a C-notch mandatory for this or is it just reccommended? Pinion angle a problem with a drop like this? What brand of shocks would you reccommend? Like I said< I like to do my home work before starting a project. If this info is already posted in thread some where, please point me in that direction. Sorry to ask so many questions that have been repeated a hundred times. Once again thanks for taking the time to read my ?'s.  Hope you all have a great week end.

[rockable]

You came to the right place.  I just installed a DJM 3/5 kit.  I installed new factory springs in my '86 along with the kit.  The rear dropped probably 6" instead of 5".  I put what should have been a 3" drop spindle and the front was higher than the rear.

Today, I chopped 3/4 of a turn off the front springs and I'm very happy with the way it looks and rides.  I'd be careful lowering it 5" in the front with stock rims and tires.  I don't think that will work without them rubbing. 

(I'll post a picture on my thread in a bit.)  Read my thread and you will see what I thought of the kit and spindle.  If you have 15" wheels, you'll have to do a fair amount of grinding on the o.d. of the casting so that it won't bind and rub on the wheel.  Other than that it was fairly straightforward.

The rear drop kit contains almost no instructions but that didn't cause me problems.  What chapped me was two things.  First, the locating hole in the mounts are too big and allow a lot of movement.  If you don't carefully measure from your front spring bolt to the axle, you could skew your axle up to 1/2".  Once you get it squared up, tighten everything and it shouldn't move. 

The second thing that ticked me off was that it didn't include the flat plate that the u-bolts go through.  The instructions said, drill a hole in existing plate for nut to clear in.  Well, you have no idea where to drill that hole, so you drill it and then you file and grind until you've got a slot that accomodates the nut to the spring bolt.  I must have assembled and disassembled each side 3-4 times before I got them right.  It would have been worth an extra $10 if they had included that piece. 

Not that I have it installed, it will work fine but the whole kit seems kind of "blacksmithish" to me.  Perhaps that's the norm for truck kits. 

Good luck!  Thanks to the fine folks here, I'm very happy with my end result.

Rock

[Captkaos]

You are going to get more than 5" on a flip kit but no less than 5 depending on your current spring setup.  If you have a HD suspension it will be more than 5".

I HIGHLY recommend a c-notch on flip kits.
SWB trucks generally don't have pinion problems, LWB do.

I haven't used them but I have had a few people with lowered 73-87's running Edelbrock IAS shocks.  I plan to use those when mine is running.

[tx5.7travel]

Sweet! If I c-notch the frame to help out with a 6" drop, do I have to cut the bed of the truck to make the mod fit? Are there different size c-notches? Thanks for the help and if the answer is already posted please point me in that direction. Thanks!

[69byrd]

I have the 5/5 kit and I had no problems with it when I installed it. I didnt have to do any modifications to it. I also added 2" shackles and cut a half round off of my coils so its like a 6/7 drop. I am running 20s, it drives and handles well. All you should need is a small bolt in c-notch and you dont have to cut your bed.

[Captkaos]

If you have a short bed truck depending on the springs you have (std vs HD) you may have to cut the rear cross sill on the bed.
C-notches are standard bolt in.  It makes it easier to install it with the bed off, but it can be done without it.

[tx5.7travel]

69byrd, I would really like to see some photos of that unless they are already posted, point me in that direction. You guys have been very helpful in giving me a great heads up for this project. Is there a site that shows a step by step guide (with photos) of a c-notch job? Only 48 days till I get the chance look around a donor. Have a great week!

[Captkaos]

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chassis_suspension/csection.htm

[69byrd]

tx5.7travel here are a couple pictures I have some more posted in members rides.

[tx5.7travel]

69byrd, now that is a sweet ride! That would be a very nice cruise to the car show in that. I have found a set of 20" wheels that I like and the price was nice to, manufactured by "Incubus" model and name "Shylock 705" wondered if these puppies would fit with the DJM 5/5 kit we talked about? What would be needed to make this work, maybe trimming the fender wells and what tire size would be good? Captkaos, that link you sent wasvery good schooling, makes it look really easy, even for a cat like me. I would buy you both a beer for the help you have given me if I was not in the sand pit right now! Good news, I was to anxious to get this project started and found a 84 chevy silverado already lowered with the standards (v-8, auto, power every thing, SWB) and from the pictures the paint job looked awesome. I am sending my brother in law to pick it up this Saturday with the cash in hand. Only 2400$, it does need work but hey, thats what we do! Thank You guys so much for the valueable input and if there was a way I could return the favor please do not hesitate. Sorry...trying to to post a few pics!

[tx5.7travel]

Hey guys, the more I read the more questions come to mind? I have read that you should not use drop spindles and lowered control arms at the same time but the kit I mentioned above sells both. Also DJM control arms have 50/50 reviews, any body have any experience using these control arms? I have ordered a prothane bushing kit and plan on replacing what ever the lowering kit does not replace. Also the kit I mention above mention some about a control arm mount bar? Any one have .02$ they care to give. I'm all ears, I wanted to ask the guys on this site because we only have model to deal with where other sites are not specific about the chevy they are talking about? Yeah I'm aware that some of the people who work on their own ride really do not need to have a wrench in their hands, NO BAD INTENTIONS, just some are not as mechanically inclined as the jobs requires, but you gotta learn some how. Please any help or info about the DJM kit listed above from GODFATHER CUSTOMS please feel free to chime in, Thanks in advance. I will start my lowering project in 25 days when I return State side. Will keep you guys informed.

[Captkaos]

you cannot use dropped control arms and spindles together.
I have used DJM kits in the past.  If you get new upper/lower control arms they come with bushings.
Is the mounting bar not included?  If not you have to use yours...

choptop has a set of DJM's on his extended cab truck I think..

[tx5.7travel]

Yes Sir, the kit does come with the control arm shaft mount. I keep reading the same thing but "John" at Godfather Customs re-assured that this kit was built to work together even though on of their techs(can not remember his name) said the same thing as you did, plus when I called DJM and talked to Mike, he replied that this kit would be a 8" drop that would be un-street able and disastrous(also said you should not use control arms and spindles and that DJM did not make a kit like this). I sure would like some solid answers about this kit? If all you need for a 5"/5" drop is spindles/coils and a flip kit, then I guess I have it covered because the kit came with these. I bought this kit that advertised LCAs and mounting shafts as well because I have limited time while on leave and wanted to have all necessary parts available. I did read the article you sent about the Western Chassis c-notch kit and ordered the exact one from Sport Truck Direct, Thanks for the piece of help. If any one has used this exact same kit (P/N# DK124), please let me know? I  would like to Thank all those who have donated valuable advice for my project, Thank You. Sorry about the Language!

[Captkaos]

John, is WRONG!  You cannot use LCA's and spindle.  When you get them, they will state this along with their website.

[choptop]

I have the DJM upper and lower control arms on my 86. They went together real nice. The odd thing that has me wondering is about using the drop spindles. I pulled these off of my choptop because it will be getting a full air ride suspension, and the arms wont work. However, the choptop did have Belltech drop spindles on it along with the arms and drop springs and I didnt see anything unusual.The lower a-arm was closer to the ground, but sill had about 3 inches of clearance. Not sure what the deal is there, but when we put just the arms on, it didnt drop much, had to use the springs to get it down. Maybe my arms arent drop arms, idk?? I didnt use the drop spindles because I can use them with the air ride system. I think I wound up with a 4 inch drop in front, but am not sure. Like a goof I didnt measure before. The front tires are the same heighth as stock if that helps for a reference.