The right drop, and how low?

[Brian'sW/T]

Its the middle of october already. This means that I need to hurry up and finish buying the stuff for my drop before christmas shopping starts. :read: My truck is being done on a budget, meaning that I cant buy stuff for one drop and then change my mind later which means buying new stuff again. Its gotta be a one time deal.

Ive already got a belltech 6" flip kit. Havent decided if I want to go with a 4/6, 5/7, or 5/8. I live in the kansas city area, we usually dont get over 8 inches of snow at any given time and it usually only snows about 3 to 5 times a year here at the most. The trucks going to be my daily driver upon completion. I hear that bringing the rear down 8" can cause some havoc. What about 7"? Any problems there? Anybody think a 5/7 is too much for the weather situation here? To me the lower, the better. But the ride needs to be as close to stock as possible.

The front end has been the part that Ive been the most confused about. Belltech spindles kick the wheels out from 1/2" to 3/4", djm and chassis tech dont right? So djm and chassis tech is spindle of choice? Coils--As long as its from belltech, chassis tech or djm it doesnt matter? What about control arms? I remember reading about dropping the frontend requiring that you cut up your control arms? Is that what Ill need to do with a 4 or 5 front drop?

Thanx for any help guys.

[Physh1]

Ok...to start with....

AVOID CHASSIS TECH!! This is an AIM company....horrible parts, horrible customer service, and just plain horrible. Do a search for shAIM or AIM and you'll see pleny....

Belletch spindles do push the wheels out but not nearly as much as 3/4". 1/4" to 3/8" is about it. DJM spindles do not as far as I know.

The actual "ideal" drop also needs a wheel tire combo. That makes a huge difference in how actually low you will be. 5/8 IMO is too low....but if you do that on 20's you may be ok.

The issue w/ a 5/8 and the havoc you mention I'd like to hear more on that...the biggest issue IMO would be getting a proper pinion angle. BTW when you go that low the ride will be stiff...it's hard to get a soft ride from a drop that should not be driven smooth....too much smooth means bottoming out. You do sacrifice some ride this way...unless you go bags (more on that in a sec).

To be totally honest with your weather and this being a daily driver I'd consider bags....adjustable lift (and drop) and if the snow is nasty just get the truck up higher. That may be outta the budget.

Cameron

[Brian'sW/T]

Thanks for setting all of that straight. Bags and 20's are both ideal, but the cash for either probably wont be available for a long time. Unless I find a great deal on some nice rims, Im probably stuck with whatever nice factory 15" rims I can find. And probably have to stay with the factory tire height so that I can keep the speedo accurate. Havoc with the 8" drop from what Ive heard included the axle bumping the bed floor, having to notch the bed support over the axle, pinion angle like your mentioned, and it seems like I heard about something binding up as well.

[agiraldo]

THE BINDING HAHA
that was mine 8" rear drop the brake lines were never installed right and they wrapped around my yolk and ripped my driveshaft out of my differential going down the street...also the ride in the back is really crappy:devil:

[Jugrnut350]

OrangeCrush has a 5/8 on his truck and he's from the NE so I bet he can tell you about how that drop does in $hitty weather... if you are running stock rims & tire size then the lowest you can go is 4/6, which is a good height, anything less and IMO it isn't low enough, any lower w/o bags and you can't run those tires and have clearance issues with hella speed bumps & stuff. All said though I would like to go 5/7 as soon as I get diff. rims/tires.

-Tim-

[1badgmc]

Originally posted by Brian'sW/T
Anybody think a 5/7 is too much for the weather situation here?

I drove with a 5/8 daily for over 2 years. I drove it in the snow a couple times and had no troubles.

To me the lower, the better. But the ride needs to be as close to stock as possible.

If you're going that low, the ride will not be close to stock.

The front end has been the part that Ive been the most confused about. Belltech spindles kick the wheels out from 1/2" to 3/4", djm and chassis tech dont right? So djm and chassis tech is spindle of choice? Coils--As long as its from belltech, chassis tech or djm it doesnt matter?

What Physh said. Chassis Tech is a no-no. DJM and Western Chassis are both good.

What about control arms? I remember reading about dropping the frontend requiring that you cut up your control arms? Is that what Ill need to do with a 4 or 5 front drop?

If you drop it with spindles and want to run stock wheels, you'll need to trim the rain gutter on the lower control arms to be able to turn full-lock.

Speaking of control arms, that's another option you have. My 5" drop consisted of 3" DJM arms and 2" coils. I would rather use control arms over spindles anyday.

[Beyond Static©]

Is it possible to run 2" spindles and 2" control arms? I've heard that this should not be done, is that true? I have a 90 extended cab.

[Brian'sW/T]

Originally posted by 1badgmc


If you drop it with spindles and want to run stock wheels, you'll need to trim the rain gutter on the lower control arms to be able to turn full-lock.

Speaking of control arms, that's another option you have. My 5" drop consisted of 3" DJM arms and 2" coils. I would rather use control arms over spindles anyday.

1BADGMC- Whats the color of your truck called? Is it porsche riviera blue?? Ive been pondering the control arm option as well, but have been a little confused. Do they make two different kinds? Ive heard that one is for the above mentioned 3"drop, and one of them has no drop in it what so ever, that its just to help bring the front end back into alignment when using coils and spindles for your drop.

If I use the DJM 3" control arms and dropped coils will I actually be able to run a 5" drop with stock wheels and tires? Isnt there also a problem with the tierods dragging against the lower control arm?

I meant Western Chassis, not Chassis tech. I was tired when I wrote that and obviously wasnt thinking straight. :crazy:

[1badgmc]

Originally posted by Brian'sW/T


1BADGMC- Whats the color of your truck called? Is it porsche riviera blue??

Miata Mariner Blue. I considered the Riviera blue, but found this color and fell in love. It's a lot darker than the Riviera blue.

Ive been pondering the control arm option as well, but have been a little confused. Do they make two different kinds? Ive heard that one is for the above mentioned 3"drop, and one of them has no drop in it what so ever, that its just to help bring the front end back into alignment when using coils and spindles for your drop.

I'm assuming we're talking '88-'98 here. That said, I don't know if anyone makes the non-drop arms for them. I think DJM makes tubular uppers. Maybe that's what you're thinking of?

If I use the DJM 3" control arms and dropped coils will I actually be able to run a 5" drop with stock wheels and tires?

Yes. Or you could run a 2" arm and 3" spring. Whichever you like.

Isnt there also a problem with the tierods dragging against the lower control arm?

No.

[CKTA]

FYI, a stock height 2wd truck in the snow is no better then a lowered 2wd truck. The sh*tty snow performance comes from the fact it's RWD and has no weight in the back. I got stuck in pretty bad storms last year here at work and my airdam worked like a plow!:D

[97Silverado]

One thing I noticed nobody has mentioned yet but needs to be considered. If you go 5/8 you need to shorten the crossover pipe unless you feel like dragging a hole in it.:read:

[Brian'sW/T]

Well it sounds like 3" control arms and 2" coils are the way that Im going to go. Now I just have to decide between 7 and 8 for the rear. Thanks for all of the help guys.

[1badgmc]

Originally posted by Brian'sW/T
Well it sounds like 3" control arms and 2" coils are the way that Im going to go.

Good choice. :)

Now I just have to decide between 7 and 8 for the rear. Thanks for all of the help guys.

I'd go 7. The only reason I went 8" was because my rear tires were nearly 2" taller than the fronts when I had my 17's. The 8" made it level. If my tires would have been equal, I would have left it at 7".

[Brian'sW/T]

Originally posted by 1badgmc


I'd go 7. The only reason I went 8" was because my rear tires were nearly 2" taller than the fronts when I had my 17's. The 8" made it level. If my tires would have been equal, I would have left it at 7".

Good suggestion. The only reason I was thinking about the 8 was that the truck seems to sit sooooo high in the back. Seems like the best thing to do will be to get the 5" done up front and then take some measurements to be sure. It does get annoying after a while when it feels like your leaning forward in your seat the whole time you drive. Id wager that I wont need to get my leafs re-archered for a very long time. Thanks again. Btw, will the belltech helper bags thats designed to go with the flip kit help it ride any better when I drop the truck that much? I plan on getting them anyways since I plan on hauling stuff on occasion.

[Beyond Static©]

I have a 2/4 drop on my truck. It still had 3/4 inches of rake, so I pulled out the overload leaf(I never haul anything). It leveled my truck out perfectly. So, an 8" drop for you might create saggage.