The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Lowering a 63-66

How many inches can you lower the front and rear of a 63-66 without running into problems? What problems might you run into when lowering one? Will lowering one cause steering difficulties?

thanks much!

Some will say yes, it will cause problems and others say it's a good thing. As long as you don't lower it much and get a professional alignment done afterwards, you'll be alright. If your truck won't align after the drop, then you went too far. I would say 4" would be the limit. That's my opinion and others will soon follow I'm sure,
Scott

thanks!
what kind of alignment is needed?

I've heard 4 in the front and 5 in the back is the max.

okay thats good to know, thanks.
another question on the same topic. I have heard that it is realatively easy to put air bags in these trucks, has anybody here done it? Can you do it yourself? Is it good to have a onboard compressor? How low can you go before you have to notch the frame? Are drop springs the easist? Can I do the coils myself?

thanks much again

I still used my 64 as a truck so I went with the drop springs. I'm still having bad memories of using airshocks back in the 80's so I won't consider using the airbags. If you need more of a drop than springs will give you, they make drop spindles that will give you a few more inches. You may may want to pick up a copy of Classic Truck or Custom Classic Truck magazines, they run tech articles on lowering older trucks all of the time.
Good luck,
Scott

Early classic Enterprises - Go to their site. The have all the packages to correctly lower your truck. I have had good success with their products. Also, they have stance photos and great tech tip articles in detail, if you browse their site.
NO I DON'T WORK FOR THEM.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT

Hey bigtrucks, how low is your 64?

I went 4" all the way around, that way I kept the "rake", got it lowered, but not so low that I still couldn't haul or tow with it. To me, the factory ride height looked a little awkwards, especially with the skinny little tires they had back then. I've also got 31 X 10.5 tires all around too. Good luck with yours,
Scott

Check out ClassicTrucks.com, "Project Old School". They have done a nice job with technical articles on many of the upgrades being done on '60-'66 Chevy trucks, including air ride suspension. Additionally, I have found them to be a good source for the parts necessary for the specific projects. I subscribed to the mag for one year @ $19.95 and would recommend the same for others looking for good information on classic Stovebolts. Good luck with your project.

Thanks!!! I randomly pick up one of those magazines when I get the chance. I will look into it. Thanks again.

Arcticat... I would recommend dropped spindles for the front. That way you keep the full suspension travel in the front. 2nd way would be with 'proper' drop springs. I went old school (cheap!) and cut the springs.. it left me with very little travel up front and only dropped it about 2-3 inches. You can bring the back down with lowing blocks between the trailing arms and the axle. Better yet bags out back, will cost more dollars but with a small electric on-board compressor you can fill them up if you are hauling something heavy in the box. Dumps will let you bleed them back down.
If you really want to go air you can go all the way around with bags.. then add in an engine driven compressor, often a air conditioner compressor simply pumping air not freon, a few dump valves and you'll be able to make you truck move up and down without even turning a wheell.. just like in those LowRider mags!

Thanks freedo, "rustorod" I like that. I can buy four actual drop springs for about $400can. Is that not to bad? I like the capabilities of airbags but I don't know if it is worth it for the money. About how much would an airide system cost? thanks much

More than $400. This place maybe near you.
http://www.hotrods.ca/index-old.asp
Spring costs seems ok.. Where can you get them?

Scotts Super trucks has them, and he's a good guy to do business with. I'm in Edmonton so it is a ways away, but I will look into it nevertheless. thanks much