Lowering truck
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 386
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Hey Rich,
Another lowering option upfront, depending upon what suspension you have is to use a lowering spindle. Imagine the wheel mounting point moving up a few inches. This effectively would lower the truck.
The benefit of a lowering spindle is you'd maintain stock suspension geometry. By just cutting the spring, you lose suspension travel, probably foul up the geometry which can create bump steer and possibly bottom out your shocks, which would kill them. Ride quality will unlikely be maintained when doing a large cut from the springs.
I'd probably limit cutting springs to 1" adjustments.
If it is a relatively recent chevrolet front end, suspect the parts are readily available to raise it lower, etc. etc.
In the rear you might find a lowering shackle, which would be easy. 3" of travel should be enough. Just make sure the shocks don't bottom out themselves. And use a bump stop of some sort so the axle doesn't contact the frame.
Hope that might help you.
Doug
Another lowering option upfront, depending upon what suspension you have is to use a lowering spindle. Imagine the wheel mounting point moving up a few inches. This effectively would lower the truck.
The benefit of a lowering spindle is you'd maintain stock suspension geometry. By just cutting the spring, you lose suspension travel, probably foul up the geometry which can create bump steer and possibly bottom out your shocks, which would kill them. Ride quality will unlikely be maintained when doing a large cut from the springs.
I'd probably limit cutting springs to 1" adjustments.
If it is a relatively recent chevrolet front end, suspect the parts are readily available to raise it lower, etc. etc.
In the rear you might find a lowering shackle, which would be easy. 3" of travel should be enough. Just make sure the shocks don't bottom out themselves. And use a bump stop of some sort so the axle doesn't contact the frame.
Hope that might help you.
Doug
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 120
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Thanks DW, I'll mention that to my guy at the shop who is doing the work, after I find the right size wheels and tires, he looked at it today and said no problem working with what is there now, but yes, cutting or getting new springs.
He also stated no issues with the alignment or front end issues, he'll take of that too, all they due is front end and truck suspensions. Fingers crossed.
He also stated no issues with the alignment or front end issues, he'll take of that too, all they due is front end and truck suspensions. Fingers crossed.
Are we there yet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 64
From: NW Valley AZ
Do you go to the Bellmore train station cruise on Friday nights?
Are we there yet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 64
From: NW Valley AZ
Very nice truck, I have the same wheels waiting in the wings for another truck project. Can I ask where you got your wheel adapters and have you driven much with them? I also need adapters but am leery of the ebay specials, I dont want to lose a wheel after hitting a pothole or a burnout 
Do you know how much clearance in inches you have between the rear axle and the frame rail and have you had any bottoming out issues? I should be around 3" with mine and am considering if I should C notch the frame or not. Thanks!
Do you know how much clearance in inches you have between the rear axle and the frame rail and have you had any bottoming out issues? I should be around 3" with mine and am considering if I should C notch the frame or not. Thanks!
I have about 3" and have no contact issues but I have air shocks in the rear so the travel is limited. The ride is good and if I have to put anything heavy in the bed I can pump them up.
If I had a soft shock in the back the rear center would hit the bed before the axle hits the frame. If you can C notch the frame it wouldn't hurt to do it. I may do that someday anyway.
Are we there yet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 64
From: NW Valley AZ
Hey Rich,
Another lowering option upfront, depending upon what suspension you have is to use a lowering spindle. Imagine the wheel mounting point moving up a few inches. This effectively would lower the truck.
The benefit of a lowering spindle is you'd maintain stock suspension geometry. By just cutting the spring, you lose suspension travel, probably foul up the geometry which can create bump steer and possibly bottom out your shocks, which would kill them. Ride quality will unlikely be maintained when doing a large cut from the springs.
I'd probably limit cutting springs to 1" adjustments.
If it is a relatively recent chevrolet front end, suspect the parts are readily available to raise it lower, etc. etc.
In the rear you might find a lowering shackle, which would be easy. 3" of travel should be enough. Just make sure the shocks don't bottom out themselves. And use a bump stop of some sort so the axle doesn't contact the frame.
Hope that might help you.
Doug
Another lowering option upfront, depending upon what suspension you have is to use a lowering spindle. Imagine the wheel mounting point moving up a few inches. This effectively would lower the truck.
The benefit of a lowering spindle is you'd maintain stock suspension geometry. By just cutting the spring, you lose suspension travel, probably foul up the geometry which can create bump steer and possibly bottom out your shocks, which would kill them. Ride quality will unlikely be maintained when doing a large cut from the springs.
I'd probably limit cutting springs to 1" adjustments.
If it is a relatively recent chevrolet front end, suspect the parts are readily available to raise it lower, etc. etc.
In the rear you might find a lowering shackle, which would be easy. 3" of travel should be enough. Just make sure the shocks don't bottom out themselves. And use a bump stop of some sort so the axle doesn't contact the frame.
Hope that might help you.
Doug
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 120
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Let the voting begin
Measured all my offsets today, now can't decide which would look better,
20"x10" rims in the rear and 18"x8" rims up front or 18" rims all around, same withes.
Trying to get used to the rake with bigger in back, kind of like same height and a more level stance, but, looking at trucks online, those 20" rims in the rear are hot, now won't be able to sleep all winter.
Smallello, Yes, regular at Bellmore.
Measured all my offsets today, now can't decide which would look better,
20"x10" rims in the rear and 18"x8" rims up front or 18" rims all around, same withes.
Trying to get used to the rake with bigger in back, kind of like same height and a more level stance, but, looking at trucks online, those 20" rims in the rear are hot, now won't be able to sleep all winter.
Smallello, Yes, regular at Bellmore.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 120
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New Question, after hours measuring backspaces and clearances on the truck and online finding right size rims and tires, here's we're I stand.
Buying 18x7" 4.25 backspace rims for front, that will give me 2 3/4" from rotor, rotor to fender is 5".
2 size tires will work, 215/45R18 have a section width of 8.2", this leaves me roughly 1 3/4" between tire and fender, height of these tires are 25.6"
225/50R18 have a section width of 9.1", this leaves me roughly 1 1/4" from inside of fender, height of these tires are 27" [more on that in a second]
Rear rims are 18X9" 5" backspace, 7" to inside of bed and 7" to fender, so no issues with rear spacing, tires are going to be 265/45R18 section width 10 1/2" wide. 27.4" in height.
I would really like to go with the front tires that measure 27" height as to keep with the rears.
If I go with 255/R18 rears, this will drop the height to 27".
MY MAIN Question is this, anyone her have a lowered truck, with those front measurements, would like to know if I'm going to have any rubbing issues with the fenders on turns and bumps, truck will be lowered so about 2 to 3" of tire will be hidden.
Hope this all makes sense, thanks.
Buying 18x7" 4.25 backspace rims for front, that will give me 2 3/4" from rotor, rotor to fender is 5".
2 size tires will work, 215/45R18 have a section width of 8.2", this leaves me roughly 1 3/4" between tire and fender, height of these tires are 25.6"
225/50R18 have a section width of 9.1", this leaves me roughly 1 1/4" from inside of fender, height of these tires are 27" [more on that in a second]
Rear rims are 18X9" 5" backspace, 7" to inside of bed and 7" to fender, so no issues with rear spacing, tires are going to be 265/45R18 section width 10 1/2" wide. 27.4" in height.
I would really like to go with the front tires that measure 27" height as to keep with the rears.
If I go with 255/R18 rears, this will drop the height to 27".
MY MAIN Question is this, anyone her have a lowered truck, with those front measurements, would like to know if I'm going to have any rubbing issues with the fenders on turns and bumps, truck will be lowered so about 2 to 3" of tire will be hidden.
Hope this all makes sense, thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
From: Rimrock AZ
Rich, you could try this. raise the front of the truck, must support under the suspension so it stays compressed. Remove one wheel. Make a board or strap that is a little longer than 1/2 your wheel diameter. Drill 2 holes in it and mount it to two of the wheel studs on the trucks hub. Measure out from the center of the hub 1/2 the tire diameter and install a small block the correct size so it is the distance you mentioned from the fender. Now you can turn the wheel then rotate the hub and check all your clearances. If you want to check the inside clearances mount a block to the other side of the strap.
Here is a article wit photos. He uses a piece of angle aluminum for the strap and a piece of all thread instead of a block so it can be adjusted to different offsets.
Hope this helps.
Wheel And Tire Fitment Measuring Clearance Photo 6
Here is a article wit photos. He uses a piece of angle aluminum for the strap and a piece of all thread instead of a block so it can be adjusted to different offsets.
Hope this helps.
Wheel And Tire Fitment Measuring Clearance Photo 6
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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Thanks, very helpful, problem is, hard to measure to see if it hit until lowered.
I made this template to help measure backspace and turning, doesn't hit anything inside when tape measures 5" in from template in either direction, just worried about fender when lowered.
I made this template to help measure backspace and turning, doesn't hit anything inside when tape measures 5" in from template in either direction, just worried about fender when lowered.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 302
Likes: 17
Modified stock suspension, sits about 5 1/2 inches off the ground at the bottom of the running boards. I have about 3-4 inches of suspension travel. Unfortunately I haven't been able to drive it yet, but hopefully it will be running by early next summer.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Eunice, LA
You can definitely buy dropped spindles for the Chevy truck front suspension. Just have to try to figure out what year model yours is. I think the full size spindles give 2 1/2" or 3" of drop. They make the accompanying springs in 1", 2" and 3" drop, as well. Check with Summit Racing or Jeg's for the best price.
You can flip the rear axle on top of the springs, but you'll definitely need to C notch the frame, and raising the bed floor is recommended. The center section of the rear end is much higher than the axle tubes.
How to Raise the Bed Floor - Classic Trucks Magazine
My Facebook friend, Mike Briggs, did a great article on raising the bed in Classic Trucks. Fire up the torch & welder! Hope this helps!
You can flip the rear axle on top of the springs, but you'll definitely need to C notch the frame, and raising the bed floor is recommended. The center section of the rear end is much higher than the axle tubes.
How to Raise the Bed Floor - Classic Trucks Magazine
My Facebook friend, Mike Briggs, did a great article on raising the bed in Classic Trucks. Fire up the torch & welder! Hope this helps!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 120
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I have 7" now between running board support on battery side and ground, this is the lowest part of the truck up front, rear isn't an issue.
smallello, your tire looks like it's inside the fender, what measurement do you have between inside of fender and tire?
56 Big Window, thanks, the front we will see and play with, the rear is fine, I have 7" of travel now in the rear between top of rear and bed floor, my spring guy said no problem lowering it 2 to 3", unless loading up the bed with stuff, 3 to 4" of travel will be fine, except for an occasional beach chair wrapped in cashmere, nothing will see this bed floor
I will remove the front tire again today, take the template 4" out from the hub as is there is a tire and raise it 3" and see what that looks like, didn't think to do this the first time, duh.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
From: Rimrock AZ
That is what I was attempting to say. If need be you could remove the spring so you could raise the suspension to the ride height you will have after lowering.