How to get lower?

[udallcustombikes]

My '81 short-wide was low when I got it. The previous owner dropped it with 2" spindles and 2" Ground Force springs up front and an axle flip and 2" shackles in the back. The stance was good, but I wanted it lower so I threw on the set of 2" leafspring hangers that came with the truck on. Now the back is where I want it but the front is currently sitting higher than the rear.

Eventually I'd like to bag the front and adding a bag over leaf set up in the rear, but with three kids and a wife money is tight so I am going to need to proceed in stages.

How can I go about dropping the front another 1"-1 1/2" while I wait for my bags? What are some air bag set ups that I should consider?

As she currently sits

[hillsmith]

  Going lower than you are now in the front will be tough without spending some $$$ on an aftermarket subframe like Porterbuilt, Scotts or Jim Meyers. There are some other threads on this stuff that I read thru and decided to get a complete front subframe for mine. If you go any lower the A arms will be too close to the ground and what is left of suspension travel will be gone.
 

[slammed79]

It's spendy for a short term thing but I think belltech makes a drop Lca.

As far as bag setup's, it all depends on your budget, a bag job can go between $1200 and 5k just in parts. For simplicity, I like suicidedoors.com's front plates and cups, about $100. Slam Specialties RE7 bags, or RE8's if you have a big block. The bags will set you back 300-400 for all for corners. A triangulated 4 link with bag on bar rides the best IMO, then the air management is where it can get really pricey.

[Captkaos]

If you are just after getting it low, cut the springs.  Of course your ride will probably suffer.  If you want to be lower than 4" in the front and you want to do it the correct way, buy 3" spindles.
5/7 drops are common on these, once you go past this, the ride deteriorates and you really need to rethink the end result.

I make my own front bag mounts, they are pretty simple and there is no cost, Of course you can get Ridetechs setup also.  Of course I also make my own chopped crossmembers, or I use Porterbuilt setups now.

I think you need to lay out what wheels/tires you eventually plan to run and then work your way around the drop and what it takes to do so.

[udallcustombikes]

If you are just after getting it low, cut the springs.  Of course your ride will probably suffer.  If you want to be lower than 4" in the front and you want to do it the correct way, buy 3" spindles.
5/7 drops are common on these, once you go past this, the ride deteriorates and you really need to rethink the end result.

I make my own front bag mounts, they are pretty simple and there is no cost, Of course you can get Ridetechs setup also.  Of course I also make my own chopped crossmembers, or I use Porterbuilt setups now.

I think you need to lay out what wheels/tires you eventually plan to run and then work your way around the drop and what it takes to do so.

I am going to run my ralleys on there and my rubber is good so the tire size will stay the same for a while. I think I am going to run it as is for a while and start gathering parts for my bag set up. Will 1/4" plate work for my bag mounts or do I need something a bit beefier? Do you have any pictures of the ones you built?

Thanks for the help, everyone.

[Captkaos]

Sure: