What lowered springs?

[firstgencamaros]

Hoping some of you may have been in the same spot before. I have a 69 short wide that I want to sit lower than stock. 2"-3" would be fine as function is important. I want it to be a static drop with the truck level or maybe raked with the truck no more than 1" higher in the rear. I am going to tow a car trailer with it and will add air bags to it for towing assist only. The truck has a cast iron head big block chevy engine with th400 trans. I do not want to notch the rear frame. Any suggestions as to what springs to purchase would be great.

Thanks for any input.

[firstgencamaros]

So, nobody on here has lowered a short bed with a big block? Just looking for experiences on what springs have worked for people.

[dell72]

i think there is a "sticky" on this subject in the FAQ's section

[firstgencamaros]

Originally Posted by dell72

i think there is a "sticky" on this subject in the FAQ's section

I looked, didn't see it. Got a link?

[CST10]

I went 2/3 on my BBC LWB and had to add 1" blocks to get it leveled out. I would try 2/4 drop with springs only and it should get you close.

[firstgencamaros]

Originally Posted by CST10

I went 2/3 on my BBC LWB and had to add 1" blocks to get it leveled out. I would try 2/4 drop with springs only and it should get you close.

Thank you CST10. That helps. Do you have a pic of how it sits?

[68bowtie]

here is my 68 with 3" rear drop springs and cut front springs. not sure how much the po cut off the front but i think about 2". it's a bbc truck with a sbc in it.

[jeh]

Here's mine with ECE 4/6 static drop. I am also am running a big block engine.

[gottattooz]

I was going to suggest the 4/6 drop. Great stance, evens out the rake without notching the frame.

- Josh

[special-K]

6" springs in the rear don't allow for hauling/towing w/o a notch. I have 4/6 on my rolling chassis. I don't want to notch, I want to haul/tow, and not sure if I want the modern level look (like the 4/6) or the classic rake (4/4). My solution is get air bags in place of rear coils. I can have it all that way. Even if I was solid on no more than 4" drop I think I'd do the bags to increase capacity if/when needed. I won't own a worthless pickup

[brad_man_72]

Spring only 4-6 drop. No notch no bags. "Worthless pickup"
I guess I didn't get the memo.

[special-K]

I knew you'd have to comment. I'm glad that combo somehow works for you. But I do know from others, and my own experience, that is too close for comfort for me and I can figure on bottoming out. I'm used to trucks I can throw anything in w/o a thought, so my little SWB will be as much of that as can be, for what I consider my car. I just meant a worthless truck is one you won't or can't haul anything in. I've seen these pictures before, so was not referring to yours.

[brad_man_72]

I know K just giving you a hard time. Mine is bottomed out with a full tank of gas. Full length bumpstops and a ton of sidewall make it pretty tolerable. Doesn't ride much worse than my miata and better than any of the stock 3/4 tons I've driven. It is in no way right or correct but it does function pretty good.
I kept up with a buel around a 30mph corner the other day with about 700lbs in the back, after he got it straight he lost me by lane splitting but I got a chuckle out of it.

[special-K]

I "used to" do a lot of bottoming out, rubbing tires, and all that and never thought anything of it. It's nice there's so much out there for suspension now. I've used the air lift auxiliary springs with leafs and the inside coil type. Is there an inside coil set-up for lowered springs or are bags in place of coils the only choice for 4"-6" lower. Not crazy about only bags.

[Boog]

Tim I believe Andy has air lift bags inside his rear coils.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by firstgencamaros

Thank you CST10. That helps. Do you have a pic of how it sits?

Sure do. Here is Samson. BBC engine. 2/4 drop

[CST10]

Here's Goldilocks with a 3/5 drop, straight 6 silly.

It looks lower than the 2/4 on Samson but actually samsons slightly lower side by side in the front. Might be the big block weight.

[CST10]

Rule of thumb is lower the rear by 2" more than the front and it will be close to being level.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by jeh

Here's mine with ECE 4/6 static drop. I am also am running a big block engine.

Nice stance. I like it.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by CST10

Nice stance. I like it.

Thanks!!!

['68 Newtricks]

OP: If you like the ride now, why not just 2-2.5" drop spindles up front? Add 2" more for a spring drop in the rear. I would have thought spindles would be the first thing to change, especially if the drop you want is the same as spindles. Just throwing it out there.

[special-K]

I thought the same thing, spindles on front with stock springs.