The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Educate me on lowering...

I am not well versed on lowering a truck and would like some advise. I have been on a couple of web sites explaining different ways as in coils, drop spindles, 2x4 drop etc. What works the best and what do I need to look for? I would like to keep my stock 6 bolt pattern and not wanting to spend more then I paid for the truck.
Thanks, hb32

Is this for your '65 short step?

On a truck like that I think dropped spindles are the best choice but I'm not sure if they allow you to keep your six-lug brakes.

What rear suspension do you have? Most '65 Chevy trucks will be the long arms with coils, but some are leaf sprung. Most '65 GMC trucks will have leaves, but some are coils with the long arm.

The best answer to your question does depend somewhat on what truck you're talking about and how its sprung.

i would wait, in a couple of years standard truck hight will be back in style. sorry for the joke. i think it depends how low you want to go. if it's real low, as in not meant for a truck low, i think drop spindles are the way to go in the front. if it's just a couple of inches you might be able to get away with smaller coil springs. if you want a rough ride break out the torch.

Truck has trailing arms with coils. From my research, I see there is a 4 inch rear and 2 inch front drop coil kit available, does this work?

Depends how far down you want to go.....
Lowered springs are OK, but personally I would look into lowered spindles first.
The beauty of these is they retain the original front end geometry.
It keeps your steering arms as the factory intended.

If thats not low enough then consider slightly shorter springs.

When you radically lower a front end by springs alone,it can do 'strange things' to the geometry, want to talk about bumpsteer?
On the rear end you also have to consider pinion angles as well.
JMO.

I used 2" lowering springs front & rear...wish I had gone more.
Lowering spindles give you 2-1/2" AND disc brakes, 5- OR 6-lug, depending on hubs you choose. As others say, this is the best because you keep geometry and travel. You can use lower springs, too, for the bumper-dragging look.
Rear, you're limited to springs, or completely changing everything. If you lower 4" or more, it is advised that you C-notch the frame for more travel. I like a little rake to the truck, so when loaded it doesn't "lean back".
Air bags are a common spring replacement, giving you adjustable ride height.
How much do you want to spend?

cm

how about air bags

I'd leave it at stock height. You will get better ride & handling & avoid a lot of problems. I'm an old fashion old fogy though.

i agree! why have something you can't haul much in, it's a rough ride, front end wears out quicker, can't crawl under to work on it beside the road, hard to change a tire on, and you can't run over a dog turd with out jaring your teeth?

I suggest talking to the guys at Early Classic Enterprises. They know the 63-72 trucks.

regards,
Leon

I had a 1968 that I lowered, bagged it actully. I used 3" drop spindles and air ride tech upper and lower control arms which fixes the alignment at the lower ride height. I C knoched the rear and bagged it also. Used an Sanden AC compressor for the pump, would make 160psi in about 20 seconds, with a adjustable pressure switch in the tank to control the pressure. When the pressure dropped it engaged the clutch on the pump and filled the tank. I used some genaric valves off ebay and wired it to an old arcade joy stick mounted on the bench seat. I think I spend $500 total with a lot of labor.

It was really cool and the sheet metal sat on the pavement but limited the use of the truck a lot. I couldn't drive it in the winter becuse the condinsation in the lines would freeze. And If I lost air I would be stuck on the road.

I guess I'm saying use the drop spindles and springs but don't go to far.

I'm not trying to steal the thread,but dreasoner, do you have any technical advice regarding the A/C compressor installation?
I have the original A/C pump and brackets from my engine.
I was going to sell them on but now may have a use for them.
I certainly don't need it for cool air over here!

I am using the dropped spindles, air bags on all 4 with a notched rear frame. The bags allow you to look cool when parked and still get a ok ride.

You arn't thinking of using the a/c compressor to pressurize the bags are you?

you'll always look cool Zim, parked or not, but at yer age that won't get ya any rides

Bill

No,not directly, but I've heard of guys using the A/C compressor to charge an air receiver tank,with the appropriate pressure valves etc.
I just wondered how it's done.

Jock, depends on the style of air compressor. The piston compressors like the old york compressors had a separate lubrication system, and can be converted easily. I believe the old MOPAR compressors could be converted as well.

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/project-cj7/project-cj7-onboard-air.htm

the radial units such as the Delco that you have can not be converted.

If you have the compressor mount than its easy, I made one. Go to Mcmaster and buy a pressure switch and wire it in series with the ground cirtuit, leave the power side wired. This will cycle the compressor for whatever pressure you set and run whenever it wants. You will need to use a copper line coming out of the pressure side of the pump, I melted a plastic line. I went from the pump to a air water separator that drained everytime the pressure dropped then to the tank. On the intake side I used a air oiler with the compressor oil and a little K&N filter. The oiler will be on McMaster also you just set it to so many drips per min, easy.

I think its the best way to go I ran it for 2 years and neber had a problem. The electric pumps are slow, this thing works great. You should google it I think thats were I got the idea.

Thanks guys, I was curious as to how it was done,but as Scott pointed out...I seem to have the wrong type of compressor.
It's from an 81 C3 'vette.
Oh well...back to the drawing board!
There's food for thought there though.

Jock,

the R6 compressor you have is worth its weight in gold as they never die. I believe that GM also sold them to Jag in the 80's along with the alternator and transmissions. so, you may be able to sell it locally.

Scott

Jock try this Google Search on "ac pump air compressor" there are a few different sites talking about them & should be able to help you....joe

Joe, the first link is the one I posted. still comes down to piston compressors work, radial do not.

Well darn if it doesn't & you're correct about the type of compressor that has to be used....joe

I've already tried to sell it in a UK based 'Vette Forum Scott.
Thing is,most folks here remove them in the quest for that extra few HP.
We just don't get the weather here to justify A/C!
Plus my truck's already got 'Vintage Air-con!

You are right about the rides but I still get lookers. (and how old are you?)

Gazim, in the imortal words of my Great Grandfather. "How old would you be if you didnt know how old you were?"

(there is a bit of wisdom in that quote)