84 C10 lowering questions

[realdiehl]

I hope this is the right section.

I'm lowering an '84 C10 with a 5/7 Western kit, and I have a few questions. It uses 2.5" springs/2.5" spindles in the front, and a flipkit/shackles in the rear.

In the front, what do most people do with the bump-stops? I've heard with anything over 2" you have to cut the bump-stops down. Do most people cut the rubbers down? Or replace them completely? I have a plasma cutter and I was thinking of cutting the entire bump-stop off and replacing it with an appropriate height universal urethane piece. I didn't know if it needed to be that drastic.

Can I get away with stock height shocks? Remember, as far as the control arms are concerned I'm only technically lowering it 2.5".

Will 15" wheels clear these 2.5" spindles? I'm hoping they will so I can initially run some truck patterned Corvette Ralleys.

What do most people do with the factory sway bar after lowering? Flip the bar? Or run shorter drop brackets?

TIA.

[greatdane]

Just lowered my 84 GMC with 3" spindles and 2" drop coils. I am running stock shocks and have not changed the bump stops. Everything seems ok. I do however have 17" wheels so I do not know what will happen with 15"? I think you are ok to run 2 1/2" spindles with your 15s...

[Hertzdaddy]

I run 2.5 western spindles with my stock 15's on my 73 blazer 2wd with no problems. IDK about the shocks. I have Beltech's drop shocks with the spindles and 1.5 coils cut on stock springs. That's about 3" on the springs and I had to trim the bumpstops. I have a big block though so it may be different for you.

Where did you get the kit?

[realdiehl]

I run 2.5 western spindles with my stock 15's on my 73 blazer 2wd with no problems. IDK about the shocks. I have Beltech's drop shocks with the spindles and 1.5 coils cut on stock springs. That's about 3" on the springs and I had to trim the bumpstops. I have a big block though so it may be different for you.

Where did you get the kit?

I honestly can't remember where I bought the kit.  I got it back in '09 but going to college has put this project on hold.  Can you not buy them anymore?

The rubber in my bumpstops is shot anyway So I think I'll buy urethane bumpstops and use them on the factory perch. 

I'm glad to hear I can probably run the 15s for now.  I have truck ralleys with new center caps and also the car style ralleys too I may run with the car disc brake caps.  It's a small block too.  I think I'll just ditch the sway bar for now.  It didn't come with one, and I think that will help the ride with the new springs as well.  I really don't like the factory endlink/bushing design anyway...I may come up with a link design later.

Thanks so far guys. 

[Captkaos]

There is an aftermarket mount you can use for severely dropped trucks.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/fullImage.aspx?productId=168&productOption=02-5402

If you are using drop spindles, you can use stock shocks the geometry didn't change.

I usually cut the bumpstop down if I am just mildly dropped, spindles wouldn't need to be cut as again nothing really changed.

[realdiehl]

There is an aftermarket mount you can use for severely dropped trucks.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/fullImage.aspx?productId=168&productOption=02-5402

If you are using drop spindles, you can use stock shocks the geometry didn't change.

I usually cut the bumpstop down if I am just mildly dropped, spindles wouldn't need to be cut as again nothing really changed.

I have all the factory sway bar stuff, so I could just make a shorter mount myself if need be.  I think I'll go without it for now...might be a while before this truck's on the road anyway.

I think I'll just get these shorter, factory pull-through type bumpstops:



http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=3.9103

This should give me the clearance I need, correct?  I believe they're about an inch shorter...

[realdiehl]

Also, I'm running springs AND spindles...2.5" springs and same 2.5" for the spindles.

[Captkaos]

If you are running 2.5 spings, you need to just cut it off and bolt a bumpstop to the lower control arm..  That shorter bumpstop isn't going to help with 2.5" springs.

[realdiehl]

If you are running 2.5 spings, you need to just cut it off and bolt a bumpstop to the lower control arm..  That shorter bumpstop isn't going to help with 2.5" springs.

Well shoot...

From looking at it at stock height I assumed I would have to cut the whole thing off.  You do mean cutting the spot-welded metal bumpstop perch off right?  And then just add a bumpstop with a stud?

[Captkaos]

Yeah, that is what I mean.  I generally cut the original in half and drive it with some grease on it.  If in the normal route it doesn't transfer to the upper spring mount, I leave it alone, otherwise, I cut it off and add the studded bumpstop.

[realdiehl]

Okay, one more question.

Do many people retain the steering stop?  I was worried if I cut that off, I may have some binding issues.

Also, has anyone ever just cut off the bumpstop/steering stop then made a new steering stop out of angle iron?  What's ideal here?

[Captkaos]

When I bag trucks, the control arm ends up looking like this, and I would fab up a steering stop, and I would recommend it also.
Many people who cupped the lower control arms don't put them on, but it is probably because they don't know the bump stop was the steering stop.  You will probably know it is to far as it will probably start eating sheet metal.

[realdiehl]

Okay, here's what I did today.

Knowing that in a last ditch effort, I could always just cut the entire factory bumpstop off, I decided to modify what was there first.  I went ahead and first cut around all but the factory steering stop portion, then tried to just screw on my studded bumpstop, but the steering stop was still the high spot.  I decided to build up a perch for the bumpstop using part of what I cut off.  I still need to notch the back of the steering stop slightly, but I doubt I'll have any interference.  I went ahead and mounted the LCA to the truck and the bumpstop right now is still hitting before the steering stop.  I think these will work.

Also, I can cut 1/4" sections off the bumpstops as needed now.  Let me know what you think!

Factory:



New:



Side by side:



With bumpstop:

[Captkaos]

That will work...  If it is too high, just mount it to the lower control arm directly.