Lowering...

[Beans]

I am planning on lowering my 87 R10...  I have read up a lot on other forums and site and also seen other talk about it on here...  but my question is...

I want to see how my peers on here suggest going about this task on a daily driver.  growing up I had rice burners that everything was done in a hurry (cut/heat springs etc).  I wanted to see some insight from others here.  What ways do you suggest doing this..?  Throw name brands out there or if you have something against a name brand let me know as well.

I have 20inch wheels that I want to put on it.  Again I want to keep it as a daily driver so not too low and not too rough (bouncy) of I ride ( I know it will be a stiff ride )...

Thanks in advance!

[Captkaos]

Depending on what drop spindles and a shackle hanger or  spindles/springs and a c-notch.

I haven't found a brand that I would avoid in the almost 30 years I have been doing this...

[Beans]

Thanks kaos... This is my first project truck... Was figuring on lowering springs and from what I've been told change the leaf springs from over the axle to under... Thoughts on that..?


Beans
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[FiveOH]

I dropped my 83 c10. I went with 3in drop coils in front with 2.5 drop spindles. 5in rear flip kit with 2in drop shackles. It came out good but it's definitely low. I need to notch the frame bc the axle is basically touching the frame. I still haven't drove it due to replacing the motor. So can't comment on the ride just yet. Here's the only pics I have of it lowered. Oh and that's on 20s.

[Beans]

FiveOH I love the way that sits... Can't wait to see what's to come of it... I don't know how low I want to go myself but I didn't know if the springs would lower it enough in the front... I really didn't want to have to notch the frame unless it is a project in the future...


Beans
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[FiveOH]

Honestly I think it's perfect. If it were higher I wouldn't be happy with it. And it's not a daily driver for me so I said why not? Here is a pic with just drop coils in front and the flip kit and shackles in rear.
As you can tell, the rear was a good bit lower. Now without the drop shackles you should be OK to skip the notch. But it may still hit on hard bumps. I removed the bump stops on mine. I'm anxious to get the motor tuned and notch the rear. Still have some other things to do as well like trim or round the front inner fender to keep from rubbing. Also going to replace the body mount bushings to hopefully get rid of some of the "Chevy lean" lol

[Captkaos]

If you use a flip kit putting the axle on top of the rear leafs you will need to notch the frame, and I HIGHLY recommend it.
If you use shackles/hangers in the rear I would still notch it.  If just using a shackle OR a hanger, you can get away from notching.  Otherwise you will end up bottoming out.

[HAULIN IT]

Fiveoh, That thing sits REAL nice! To the OP & anyone that will hear me out. A 2" body drop will "fix" sooo many obsticles on these trucks, but most guys won't do it & continue to chop on the frame & leave other "flaws" along the way. I believe most average guys wanting to drive a lowered truck will agree with the fact that Fiveoh's truck is "sittin' right", Correct?

 I've mentioed many times that I did a 2" angled (0" in the front to 2" in the rear) on our truck & was without a doubt, one of the best modifications I've done to the truck.   

Fiveoh, You have completed yours, but everyone hear me out & tell me your opinion if I'm off my rocker or not.
 The stepside bed really needs "fixed" to flow with the cab....the fender/step needs to be much closer to level to the rocker. Being a Bodyman for 30 years makes me look at things as far as panels go more than the next guy maybe...I don't know?
The big question is...Would the bed look wrong with an inch & a half gap between the top bedrail & the fender? I don't believe so, most all stepsides have much more of a gap there than these trucks.

An 1 1/2" would make the axle flip not needed (shackles & hangers + 1 1/2") would look the same at the wheelwell, not need to notch the frame & at the same time, make a start toward the fender/step look like it isn't wearing short pants. Just a thought, Lorne 

 I have 2 1/2" above the axle, No frame notch & still have the original rubber bumpstops in place...may have shortened the metal plate, can't remember


 
 

 

[burbboysgc]

Hmmm, Good idea.

[pcguysam]

Fiveoh, That thing sits REAL nice! To the OP & anyone that will hear me out. A 2" body drop will "fix" sooo many obsticles on these trucks, but most guys won't do it & continue to chop on the frame & leave other "flaws" along the way. I believe most average guys wanting to drive a lowered truck will agree with the fact that Fiveoh's truck is "sittin' right", Correct?

 I've mentioed many times that I did a 2" angled (0" in the front to 2" in the rear) on our truck & was without a doubt, one of the best modifications I've done to the truck.   

Fiveoh, You have completed yours, but everyone hear me out & tell me your opinion if I'm off my rocker or not.
 The stepside bed really needs "fixed" to flow with the cab....the fender/step needs to be much closer to level to the rocker. Being a Bodyman for 30 years makes me look at things as far as panels go more than the next guy maybe...I don't know?
The big question is...Would the bed look wrong with an inch & a half gap between the top bedrail & the fender? I don't believe so, most all stepsides have much more of a gap there than these trucks.

An 1 1/2" would make the axle flip not needed (shackles & hangers + 1 1/2") would look the same at the wheelwell, not need to notch the frame & at the same time, make a start toward the fender/step look like it isn't wearing short pants. Just a thought, Lorne 

 I have 2 1/2" above the axle, No frame notch & still have the original rubber bumpstops in place...may have shortened the metal plate, can't remember


 
 

 

I have an '81 Stepside at stock height that I want to 'lower', so you definintely have my attention.  So you're saying just to lower the step and the fenders?  Please list out exactly what you're talking about doing because I don't know if I am completely understanding.  Are you talking about doing anything at all with the suspension itself?  Also, the Oldsmobile badge on your grill is much more likely to make people think that you're crazy.