new to all this, lowering

[sgoody43]

I just wanted to ask what could I expect if I take off 1 1/2 coils off my 1/2 ton 87.  I have no money but  I want to lower my truck the old style, cutting the front coils and taking some leaves off.  so my question is.  Is 3 inches safe to lower by taking off coils. and in the back 4 of 5 taking leaves off..  or what do some of you guys sugest.  I just bought this truck so I have no budget , the truck is the budget.

[dueprocess]

You will probly get a more formal reply from some of these guys but, i have had lowered trucks for a while and have a ton of friends with them. For the front coils, you will have to measure very precise to make sure they stay even and will privide a very bouncy ride(yet i understand the low budget)!  For out in the back, i would not recomend taking all leafs but one out. For me no more than 2 leafs..... Shackles are really cheap to catch 2inches safely.....

[sgoody43]

forgot to mention I have 6 leaves on my 87 .  I like the idea of buying a 2 inch shackle and taking a leave or two off and taking a coil and a half off my front coil.  I just want to know how much coils do I take off for 2 inches, one coil or 1 1/2.  that is my main question

[VileZambonie]

Don't go more than 1.5 coils! As far as the rear goes shackles are probably your best bet since you won't be going too low.

[FlatBroke]

I agree with VileZambonie,
1 1/2 rounds is the most to cut up front..

I also know a little something about a tight budget.....

Keep asking questions around here, someone will give you good sound advice.

[Captkaos]

You really don't want to lower one 3" with just coils and I third the opinion of not cutting more than 1.5 off..

[sgoody43]

thanks for the advise guys I will definatly not go past the 1 1/2 coils.  After reading on these forum I went to check my leaves and they are 56 inch across and there are 6 leaves so with that in mind what do you guys sugest for the rear.  I just ordered a 2 inch shackle from ebay for $43 (on a budget but still want to keep the truck capabilities so removeing 3 leaves was out of the question.)  Do you guys think the bottom 2 leavess  and a 2 inch shackle will match the 1 1/2 coil choppng out in the front.  buy the way I am getting more and more into this truck.  At first I just wanted a truck and I scored on my 87 350 fuel injected 1/2 ton shortbed fleetside , but now I want to make it look better, but all I have to barter are parts that I have acumulated. Thanks for the advise guy and belive me more questions will come.

[Captkaos]

If you are doing this on a budget, are you having to drive the truck?  Reason I ask is if you can, I would lower the rear and then cut the front accordingly.
When I said I wouldn't cut more than 1.5 off, I meant at the max, so I would measure the truck first then take the spring and mark it at that point, cut both springs 1/2 coil, install it and DRIVE it, then see how it sits.  Make a note of the amount of drop and then cut 1/4 coil at a time.  This way you can fine tune the drop and not get too much.  Remember, if you cut it off too much, you are out of luck.  If you have a spare set of springs, you will be fine...

[sgoody43]

what if I use spring compressos because my friend said he would give me a set, do you guys think they will work

[Captkaos]

No.  The only thing a spring compressor is good for is removing springs...

[dueprocess]

what if I use spring compressos because my friend said he would give me a set, do you guys think they will work

Using the spring compressor as a lowering method to drive around on? I would think that would be dangerous and a accident waiting to happen! Just my .02cents!!!!!

[nativetexan]

I can surely understand a budget project. My 87 is a long way off from being where I want it. And my low low budget is keeping that progress at an almost standstill. But, I would say, scrape a $150 and get a pair of drop spindles for the front. That way it won't take away from the front suspension at all. You can deal with it for a while but the bouncieness will get to you sooner or later. I plan on getting some spindles for my 87 and I feel like it will be a good investment.

[sgoody43]

sorry for the bumd sugestion but you guys baled me out before I made the mustake of trying spring compressors, but some one at work told me that thats what they used.  I now know for sure that I am going to cut one coil off the front and put a 2 inch shackle  with only four leaves.  How much do you guys think that will lower my truck?
I will save up later for the real 2 inch springs

[ccz145a]

If you are doing this on a budget, are you having to drive the truck?  Reason I ask is if you can, I would lower the rear and then cut the front accordingly.
When I said I wouldn't cut more than 1.5 off, I meant at the max, so I would measure the truck first then take the spring and mark it at that point, cut both springs 1/2 coil, install it and DRIVE it, then see how it sits.  Make a note of the amount of drop and then cut 1/4 coil at a time.  This way you can fine tune the drop and not get too much.  Remember, if you cut it off too much, you are out of luck.  If you have a spare set of springs, you will be fine...

Please follow this advise, it will save you time/money in the long run.

[sgoody43]

ok guy I dit the shackles and I got as advertised 2 inches.  So that put me at 32 inches from fender to ground.  Then I went ahead and removed two leaves of leaving me with 4 leaves(from top to bottopm leave 1,2,3,5
took out leave 4 and 6.  I got another 1 and a 1/2.  Now I am at 30.5.  Front is 31.5.  One coil is 2 inches right just want to make sure.  I do like a little rake so if the front is an inch lower I will be happy, even also but  air bag look is a definate no no.