The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 1966 Chevy C10 - Rear lowering blocks

I’m working on a deal to buy a 66 C10 long wide bed project truck. I owned one from 78-81, and should have kept it. My question is, does any vendor sell lowering blocks/ pads/ plates to go between the axle and the trailing arms? Or, how does a person lower the rear of the truck? Thx!

The simplest way to get a lower ride height would be to install shorter, stiffer springs. Round track racing supply places like JEGS or Racer's Wholesale would be a good place to look. You might also need to find a different stroke shock absorber to avoid bottoming out on bumps. A lowering block between the trailing arm and the rear axle housing will probably end up with the trailing arm dragging on speed bumps, etc. The ride quality will be somewhere between annoying and terrible because of the lack of weight in the bed.
Jerry

If I want to lower one of my rigs I just add a load.

Lots of sellers offering 3, 4 and 5" lowering springs and/or kits for your truck as mentioned by Jerry above. Some include shocks designed to match the new spring height.

Try a web search with the terms "rear axle lowering springs for 1966 Chevy C10". Lots of clicking and reading till you find/settle on what you want.

Thanks all.

This is the truck for sale by a fellow Stovebolter.
The seller and I have been trying to get together since January, but we both have had delays. Hopefully soon… 😎

For my 66 C10 short stepside I purchased 2 “ shorter springs, which actually lowered truck one inch as measured at the rear wheel. There was no need for shorter shocks. Overall, it seems to have improved both the looks & ride lmo.

Got it home!! The fun begins. 😎

Great that you got it home Frank! Looking forward to your further conversations on the truck.

Thanks for all responses! I’m sure it will be a long term project. I’m going to try and get the 250-6 running if I can without spending too much money.
I think I want to add a vintage camper top.

I’m making some progress on my 66 C10. The seller owned the truck since 1990 and used it for his daily until 2000. It had been sitting since. I found out it originally had a 283. Sometime in the past a 69 250 was swapped in. The engine was partially disassembled when I got it with the head just sitting on the block. One of the exhaust valves was badly burned so I bought one new valve. I hand lapped all the valves and seats and reassembled the head. I now have the head back on the block with a new gasket… more work required but I hope to have this engine running soon.
Of course, everything else needs to be inspected, repaired or replaced as necessary to make it drivable.
One picture in my small garage and the other what I wish it looked like.

Frank - That's an admirable goal for bringing your '66 back to life! Glad to hear your making progress and continuing the work.

Kinda too bad it lost the 283 at some point. Most people go the other way around regarding I6 to V8, but I guess it'll get better mileage. I'm actually inheriting a '66 that IIRC originally had a 261 or maybe 292, but it developed problems and was switched out for the 250 it now has. We'll see how it goes when I get back east again and can work on it some more.

I have put any lowering or changing the stance on the back burner. Too many other things needed first.

I got the 250 running yesterday. It was a little struggle, but very satisfying to see it fire off. I posted a short video in the Engine Shop forum. 😎
Of course, plenty more to do to get it roadworthy. I appreciate any helpful advice.