Truck Lowering

[slkr]

I want to lower my 1979 C-10 stepside.  I'm not wanting to drop it in the dirt but just enough to give it a lowered stance.  I'm considering drop spindles in the front and lowering leafs in the rear.  Is this the best way to go or will lowering coil springs and shackles suffice?  What kind of drop(inches front/inches rear) would be recommended for the amount of lowering that I am looking for?  Thank You  

[gregstg]

slkr,
 I would recommend either spindles or lower A-arms for the front.  Avoid altering the coil springs if at all possible.  It is cheaper to drop it through the coils, but it compromises the ride.  For the rear you can use shackles and hangars.  For instance, if you want a 4" drop in the back, use 2" shackles and 2" hangars.  Remember if you want to level out your truck you have to drop the rear 2 more inches than the front.
 I started out lowering my truck with a 4/6 drop using 4" drop spindles (no longer available) in the front and 3" shackles & 3" hangars in the rear.  A few years ago I took it a step further and dropped it down 6/8 by adding 2" drop coils in the front and a flip kit in the rear, removing the drop hangars.  I couldn't use drop A-arms for the front because the deeper coil socket would have been below the scrub line.  Even with the massive solid suspension drop, it still rides like a stock truck.

[bigblock73]

I used spindles/springs up front (4") and shackle/hanger out back (4").  The truck rides like a dream and isn't so low I have to worry about speed bumps or pot holes.  I would reccomend drop springs for the rear if you aren't worried about towing or hauling REAL heavy loads, much easier to install and you don't need to notch your bed supports like you do when you install shackles/hangers.  My .02 worth.  -Jeff

[Low87on20s]

I purchased the DJM 5/5 kit from Godfathers.  Front is lowered with drop spindle and coil.  The rear is a 5 inch flip kit.  The good thing about the 73-87 trucks is that on the flip kit you don't have to c-notch the frame.   The truck rides on 20 inch wheels and has plenty of room for clearance to the ground.  I recommend this kit for ease of installation and clearance.  The front fenderwell rides 27 inches from the ground to the center of the wheel well.  The rear rides at a little over 28 inches from the ground to the center of the wheel well.   Stock was 32 and 33 respectively.  

[84ssd]

How did the 3" spindles work?  Do you have any clearance problems between the lower ball joint and the inside of the rim?

[Low87on20s]

No clearance problems at all with the 20s.  I did have to get a 17 inch spare because the old 15 inch rubbed the top of the brake caliper.

[79GMC4x4]

I would stay away from the A-arm change.  Go spindles.

'79 GMC shortbed 454 th400 14 bolt FF NP205 Dana 60

[loweredd]

hey low87, do you have any pics?  my email is loweredd@hotmail.com

[RSBAD454]

i have a 1981 silverado with 3" Belltech drop spindles, and 1 coil cut out of the front coils. the rear i took some leaves out and used a Belltech flip kit. it rides just fine........ but you will have clearance problems with the front 15inch rims rubbing the a arm. i had to grind some material away from the a arm to clear but it still rubs when making sharp turns; this is with factory 8" rims with 4 1/2' back spacing. i think a 7 inch rim wit 3 1/2" back spacing may work. the rear of my frame was notched out in case i need clearance. im not going any lower than i am now. i still want to tub it out.