Gentlemen, I recently found a 1987 S10 long bed (118" from hub to hub) right around the corner for almost nothing and got it to go under my 1951. That being said, I'm wanting to do a 4" front and 4" rear drop on it.
Does anyone have recommendations on the best S10 lowering kits available? I'm also not looking to break the bank.
Last edited by ColbyG; 02/03/20214:10 PM.
colby
1952 Chevrolet 3100: Photos Engine: 219 L6 to 250 L6 to 350 V8 Transmission: Borg Warner T56: 6 Speed (1994 Firebird)
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Engine: 265 V8 Transmission: Three Speed Currently: Rebuilding Engine & Differential
Belltech 2" drop spindles and 2" lowered coils in the front, 4" inch blocks in the rear. A word of caution... I would mount your sheet metal to the chassis and then figure out your ride height. An "AD" on an S10 chassis sets lower than stock already, I mounted a 50 on a Code 504 S10 frame kit and it sat pretty low. My point is you can always adjust the afterwards.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
Come Bleed or Blister, something has got to give!!! | Living life in the SLOW lane
TUTS 59, thank you! And yeah, I'm planning on doing that for sure. I've questioned the Code 504 guys a ton and also have asked them about their photos online and they have given me a ton of info on it so far. They don't recommend going lower than 4" x 4" because of drag issues.
Hink, I'm running a GM 350 and adding 240lbs with my big rump in the driver's seat.
I plan on running an 18 or 20" rim x 8" wide with an overall diameter between 27-29" on the rear (they said don't exceed 29" with their kit and a 4" x 4" drop). If I go wider on the rim and wider than a 10" tire, I will have to cut out the fender. I'm not sure that I want to do that yet, but I have a bit before I get there, so we will see. On the front, I might go with 18" or 20" rims x 8" wide but with an overall diameter of around 26-27" and that's with a 1 1/2" spacer, that's required.
colby
1952 Chevrolet 3100: Photos Engine: 219 L6 to 250 L6 to 350 V8 Transmission: Borg Warner T56: 6 Speed (1994 Firebird)
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Engine: 265 V8 Transmission: Three Speed Currently: Rebuilding Engine & Differential
Don't worry about a V8's weight as the front suspension was designed to work with the truck fully loaded which put way more weight on the front than a V8 on an empty truck. I second trying the completed truck before doing an lowering. We have done several that the customers wanted RAISED after the S10 conversion. Pic of a 52 with all stock S10 suspension. Note the 2.5" exhaust is touching the grass and the bottom of the running board.
Hink, thank you! Have you seen any of the photos of what I'm doing? I try to keep the album linked in my signature updated.
Coilover, I appreciate the photo. That makes me realize that I should try it out before just lowering it. The Code 504 folks said that their conversion kit (I'm getting that as soon as I get my transmission confirmed) will lower it about 2.5" from stock. Then I could go from there after seeing how it all sits on the wheels I plan to get.
Whitedog, I think you have something going there! Gonna make some scrap money, I see! 🤣
colby
1952 Chevrolet 3100: Photos Engine: 219 L6 to 250 L6 to 350 V8 Transmission: Borg Warner T56: 6 Speed (1994 Firebird)
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Engine: 265 V8 Transmission: Three Speed Currently: Rebuilding Engine & Differential
Colby, why don't you start a Project Journal, you can document your progress there and up load pics for us to look at.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
Come Bleed or Blister, something has got to give!!! | Living life in the SLOW lane
I second Craig’s suggestions. You can upload your photos to a thread in the Project Journal Forum. Buy doing that everyone can see your project without having to leave the site. This thread is behind you now. BTW, you can always come back to HiPo and start a new thread with another specific component question.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)