The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Low-rider trucks

I've avoided this subject for I do not want to make any past or potentially future AD buddy angry with me. However, lowering is such a big deal and I am so confused I wanted to make it a subject for discussions so I can get on board with the reasoning behind it. I am intrigued for I am totally baffled as to why people do it, while it seems the majority on this board have or are doing it. Don't get me wrong, I sincerely respect anyone to do anything they want to do if you don't hurt anyone in the process, but for the life of me I cannot understand why anyone would ever seriously consider lowering a truck. I even see a lot of new/newer trucks with skinny little tires and it boggles my brain to think they actually spent extra to make them look that way while insuring they cannot possibly use the vehicle they paid dearly for as it was designed to be used by the mfr. Seems like you would invest in a car instead of a truck if you don't like one of the most distinctive differences between cars and trucks.....ground clearance so you can go where you want without fear of dragging or getting high centered! In my personal opinion it is no longer a truck when lowered, and I regret that original axles and etc are apprently being scrapped to install (F)riggin (O)il (R)equired (D)aily and other car IFSs. I'm sure glad I found trucks that were not grossly modified in the past and I hate to think that in the future there will be no more left for purists. Then if you watch prices you know these low-riders with SBCs sell for more than the preserved original that costs much more to restore to new condition. Why?

Sorry Fumblin - You replied to my other post that was accidentally put up before I was done with my message, and I deleted the thread you replied to. Please jump back into this one.

I dont like low riders and although my truck is lowered some, I dont consider it a low-rider,,some think the trucks have a little better stance with it lower,,some think they ride better,not sure about that one, mine was this way when I bought it and I like it but I would not go to the trouble to lower one, if you want my vote,,,keep er stock.....Fred

"I cannot understand why anyone would ever seriously consider lowering a truck."

I used to think the exact opposite: Why would anyone ever leave a truck stock height? I have since acquired a new appreciation for "tall" trucks, yet personally would never consider leaving one that way. To me, it just doesn't look right. From a performance standpoint, I do think lowering the center of gravity helps with handling, but achieving the same ride quality may not come into play all the time.

Outside of my personal feelings, I would never criticize another man's truck no matter what "he" did to it. I may not like it, but it isn't my truck.

Pay extra to lower truck, why do that? Pay to buy a truck with "ground clearance", how much ground clearance is needed to pick the kids up from day care, or go through the drive-thru, or get to the Golf Club? Trucks are not just for Breakfast (work) anymore. I say if people only bought trucks for thier intended use, there would be a lot fewer trucks. That is one of the cool things about old Bolts, they were most likely used as trucks and have a little history.

Anyway, that's my one cent (I don't think I said two cents)

Buddy

I personally think if it doesn't have 4 wheel drive, it shouldn't look like it's got 4 wheel drive. IMHO the AD looks too high at stock height. I also think the rear axle was too far forward in the stock location. I moved mine back when I installed a later model rear end. The ride is better too. I have a sore back most of the time and it's easier on it with a little more forgiving suspension. Just MY2CNTS. 2 each his own, right?

"Different strokes for different folks".
I like em both ways although mine is stock height by choice. What I really don't care for are the owners who go the opposite direction raising them to a height that requires a ladder to get into them and then never take them off the blacktop.

I like em low but not so low they need airbags to stagger up off the deck. I also used to like em high but heck who can afford weed these days, what with the price of old Chevy truck parts and putting all the kids through school so they can get their qualifications in Advanced (or should that be Retarted) Celebrity which seems to be mainly what they want now. (There was a poll among school kids. When asked "What do you want to be when you grow up" the vast majority replied "Famous".)

BTW Greetings Mr Fortier. Your presence and politely worded thoughts are respectfully requested here

Christian

It's pretty simple. Many people like the way it looks. One could argue that it compromises safety but the same argument could also be made to point out that most of our trucks lack airbags, collapsible steering columns, abs brakes, seat belts ,shoulder restraints, etc. I think most (with a few exceptions) people who modify a vehicle they are riding in prefer it to be safe and drive the vehicle accordingly. The diversity of the hobby is the very thing that sparks most of our interests

I think the design of a vehicle should support it's intended usage. Any time I take something apart I want to consider any changes that will better support the way I use it.

Without exception my trucks would all suit me better if they were lower.

I like the look better, handling can be improved, though some approaches to lowering make it worse, and there are even economy and performance advantages to reducing the height.

On the other hand, I like to drive my trucks, and I've seen many that would never make it up or down my driveway because they are so low.

I lowered mine by removing leaves from the spring pack. Not the right way to go as the fromt bottoms out now on the frame on large bumps. Just orderd new monoleafs. Hope it rides better. We will see. If it rides the same and does not bottom out, I will be happy. I ordered a multileaf drop spring for the rear so I can still haul heavy loads. (this is a workin truck)

I guess you have to go with what you like. I respect restored trucks, but anyone can restore something. I like being creative or searching for the "look" I prefer. I intended to cut up my 37 by chopping the top and suicide doors, but I couldn't bring myself to do it....yet. Anyway if I wanted to haul drywall or something I sure wouldn't use the 37. JMO.

Dave

you're right Dave, that you have to go w/ what you like, but I think the other part is backwards - anyone can cut up a derelict old truck and try to be creative, and I've seen countless nearly-done's for sale when the creative genius runs out or they realize it really isn't what they imagined - it takes a lot of effort, skill and determination to bring that old truck back to it's original state, and the well restored trucks are what I see getting the attention along w/ the thoughtfully "updated" ones that look original until you check underneath

and I use the 58 daily, or the 57, for haulin whatever - when I had the 46 GMC 1½T it got used too, and the 37 Ford pu as well - lots of us can't afford 'garage queens'

Bill

In my opinion, a "slammed" truck is about as pointless as an airplane with no wings, or a bullfrog with boobs.

To me, a truck isn't a truck unless I can haul a load of corn in the back, or 20+ bales of hay. If I can't use the truck to drive thru my pastures to check and mantain my cattle fence.. well then whats the point of having a truck.

Alot of dudes like that look, and god bless 'em.. it's their truck they can do with it as they wish.

I like my old Chevy trucks because they're rugged, dependable, good looking, and in my neck of the woods, inexpensive.

By lowering a truck, seems to me you're defeating the entire purpose of even having a truck.. but i suspect the "slam" crowd isn't that interested in hauling stuff around.

Slamming a truck isn't creative, or innovative, and neither is restoring one to 100% original specs.. in fact, i'd bet there isn't anything you could do to an old truck that at least somebody in the last 50 years or so hasn't already done.

But it all boils down to what it is you want out of your truck, and screw what anybody else thinks.

I agree.

Mostly my trucks are just toys and I figure as long as I'm not endangering others I should be able to do whatever I like with them.

I plan to leave my 2-ton as stock as possible while still being able to drive it regular. The others are all hot rod/custom projects and most likely will be lowered at least some.

But lowered doesn't mean a truck can no longer do any work. The hardest I work any of mine is pulling a trailer and they don't need to be tall to do that well.

I had a 50 1/2 ton that has been worked as hard or harder that most of the trucks out there and it has a 6 inch drop all the way around.This was my dads truck and he dropped it and had the manifold split the same week he got it back in 63'.I saw my dad haul dirt,gravel,cinder blocks,flagstone,30-40 oak sheets,engines,marble,satillo tile,regular tile,furniture,lumber, and even pull double wide mobile homes when he built a MH park in Gallup,NM.He gave me this truck when I was 14 yo and I drove it from LA to New Mexico numerous times to haul truck loads of Chevy parts back to LA.It was LOWERED the whole time.If it wasnt a TRUCK because it was lowered I dont know what is.

just drive 'em.(as joker sez).



-W

I go out of my way to make my rides "NOT" look like everyone else's. Whether it's lowering or paint work or a set of wheels. I'm definately not about having my car look stock or like some cookie cutter honda. The lowering thing is personal opinion but I like the way it looks. It just kinda makes a statement. A stock truck is ok for work, but I don't want a stocker for crusin. And there is no creativity involved in restoring...you're just making it look like when new, and IMO there is not a lot of personality to a stock vehicle. I know a lot of people "mess" old cars and trucks up, but as long as it's what you want who cares? I just like to enjoy them. Later

Dave

I think they look cool lowered but I bought my truck to have a truck.

Rance

I don't the kinda "hunkered" look, but for the most part, leave them close to original height. Anybody can do what they like to their truck. I am all for "moderenizing", and in my younger days i was really hot for a lower truck, but i am still a farm boy at heart, so if you want to corner hard, get a sports car. How is all of that for strattlin' the fence!!

My thought on extreme lowering is sort of a generation thing - the 'Hot Wheels' generation has grown up ans wants their vehicles to look like their 'toys when that were boys'.


Another mystery in my universe is the current 'Stagecoach' look with the big wheels and skinny spokes and tire.

Character.. thats a good word to describe a truck.

I plan to keep my truck pretty much the way it was when I got it.. some may call it "rat" others may call it "$hit heap", but to me, it's worn look gives it character.

Character isn't found in the pages of an LMC catalog, or something that can be bolted on.. it's something earned over time.

Like a worn pair of jeans, or a comfortable old pair of shoes.. it won't win any blue ribbons at the fair, but it dosen't need to.. the fact that it's still working day after day is testement to it's timeless design.. every scratch, dimple, and scuff another page in it's proud history that is clearly read by all that see it..

..I am a rock.. I am a Chevrolet.

Right on!!! You got it. My truck has a history, my truck has character, my truck is different and thats the way I like it. Some may not like it, but as long as its mine and I enjoy it, thats all that matters. No, its not perfect, or even close for that matter, but then again, neither am I.

darn Fumblin, that sounds like THE stovebolt motto to me. I almost got a little misty eyed reading that.

What bugs me is lowering a truck or car to where it almost drags the ground. But what bugs me even more is those idiotic little tires and wheels that stick out beyond the wheel well. God that's ugly AND it adversely effects the ride, handling and stopping of the auto. I will never understand how ANYBODY could think that that looks good.

BTW: I have a 62, stepside, C-20. I use it like a truck and I like that it sits high. In fact I changed out the 15" rims for 16". I guarantee that my truck turns more heads than a lowrider truck.

Just say no to lowriders.....

Wait, I didn't stay on topic about lowriders. To each his own. I think it depends on the vehicle. I like some low(er), not on the ground but just a nice stance. It seems that every single vehicle in magazines in either a really tall new(er) truck, or a really low classic truck. Most of the low trucks I see are "city trucks", don't do work, and won't aslong as the "city-zen" owns it. What really gets me are those 1 ton dualies that are resting on the rockers, those make me angry...well not really, just annoyed.

So now they're giving out merit badges for using old trucks hard? Do we wash them anymore or do we leave them dirty because thats how REAL trucks are - dirty.
If you want an old truck because an old truck will make you happy, but all you do is drive it for fun or travel, does it need to be stock height? Newsflash - there are more paved roads today than there were 50+ years ago. Trucks needed the height. And for the trucks that were purchased new in cities - it was only for work purposes. Trucks have evolved.
Trucks now are in style. Back then folks bought a truck because they NEEDED a truck. Back then folks WANTED a comfortable stylish car.
Before anyone judges another guys truck he should think about how the OWNER uses it. Most owners of modified trucks LIKE their trucks and LIKE the modifications for their use. Dont like my truck? Go build your own - your way.

For example - I know of a guy who has a couple Ford 3/4 ton pickups with large (35'-?) tires in back and overload springs. He uses them to haul bricks and stone blocks 40+ miles away. When empty the trucks look silly - slightly jacked up with big tires. When full they sit level and the larger tires help with the already low gears of the heavy duty trucks, especially for all those highway miles. It's his way that works well for him. What do I care - it's not my truck, I'm not buying it and I'm not about to tell him that he's wrong.
Now I want to wash my truck.

I got my daily driver ten years ago and had the original leave springs on for 8 years, drooping on the left front.
Cities, freeways, dump sites, dirt roads, 100 year old paved and terribly potted mountain roads - any terrain, we did it.
And boy, did we bottom out even with new shocks countless of times.
I love them days and wouldn't trade them for nothing.
Used helper coil springs the last year on the front axle, which brought it back to just above stock height and was really bouncy and fun for a while.

But I never regret the day I replaced the front springs with monoleaves and used lowering blocks on the rear.
Installed gas shocks on all four with the rear having extra pressure.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
I never go back to stock and I think the truck feels the same way, without having to ask.
All I have to do is pushing down and releasing one edge of the front bumper with my boot and watch the gentle swaying back into place - what a treat.
Looks like a happy truck to me, but I could just be in love too deep.

The truck is lowered about 3-4 inches, but still, people in parking lots think it's original height. Definitely looks more right to my eyes as well.
The monoleaves have more play now than the worn originals ever had and never bottom out - what kind of metal is that? Roswell technology?
Beautiful handling in curves without leaning heavily like the original worn springs.
Also much smoother softer ride - more like a boat on water compared to the original worn ones.
Of course modern car drivers would feel more like in a wooden rollercoaster in my passenger seat.
But I wouldn't want it any other way and this is the only vehicle I ever owned ... for that reason maybe.

Monoleaves on the front - new cab mounts - who could ask for anything more...?

I frequently load up the bed to capacity and go on country roads and hundreds of miles on the freeway.
Sits really solid like that and drives beautifully.
The lower point of gravity makes a huge difference in handling, especially when going into faster harder turns.


Why lowering a truck?
Speaking as somebody originally from far outside of Los Angeles county who drove those roads and streets the past 7 years every day, before I moved back out into the country.
Moving straight from Austin, I first thought lowering trucks is just wrong, for years.
Wider stance and smaller wheels looked ridiculous to me, especially on pickups ... and still do.
But hey, have it your way! Where else in the world but here?
Today I have more respect for the super lowered trucks and whatever wheel-flavor of the month.
It's a unique cultural and artistic expression - better than joining a gang any day and you need to have a real job to be able to afford it.
I loved the guy around the corner where I used to live, who had a white modern Chevy truck with heavily black tinted windows and no other accents on the outside but an off-angle number plate on the tail gate.
This thing sat completely flat on the road when parked!
Every time I came down the hill and saw it on a different spot, I got a kick out of it.
Now that's pure art - thank you.
However I would sell that thing in a heart beat myself and trade it in for another one or more old Chevys any day.

I guess, it all depends first on what is the main use of your truck?
How much you sit in the drivers seat and how you want the ride to be.
Some like it high, some like it low.
Is there anything wrong with either?

Easy questions...
I just go with what feels right and works and allows me the freedom to do with the truck what I want.
The right way is what feels right to you.

Blessings to the land of the free.

What do you got against lowriders?

I like what you said so true..............

I don't own old Chevy trucks for the recognition, I own them because they do what I need them to do and they're way cheaper than new.. the fact that they look cool and don't look like everybody elses truck is just icing on the cake.

I don't let the appearence of my truck define me, nor do I need slaps on the back or awards to make me feel good about myself.. and Ziggy would probably find it silly to give him a merit badge just for doing something he was built to do in the first place.

I guess i'm just a practical person.. there is 5 miles of gravel road to get to my driveway, and close to a 1/4 mile of gravel driveway to get to my house.. the only good a "slammed" truck would do me out here is to grade the road.. and at 6'2, my trucks are comfortable to get in and out of.

If giving your truck "character" means to make it look like everybody elses, more power to you folks.. it's your truck, do with it what you want.

As you can see everyone has a different opinion.I have two older trucks a 55 and a 72 Chevy.I have lowered the 55 moderatly,added late model V/8 power and an Auto tranny.did it the way I like it.Didnt build it for someone else,I built it for me.When I get some spare time and a few extra bucks I am going to lower the 72.They would be classified as street rods.I like trucks that are restored to original specs.Its just not my way of doing things.