lowering a 71 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pinky350 · 04-15-2003, 09:23 PM

I have a 71 short wide Chevy, that I want to lower. It is stock
height. I want to use a 2" drop spring in the front and a 4" drop spring in the back. Will these work? And is that all I need to do?
And where to buy from?

*Randy70C-10* · 04-15-2003, 09:25 PM

You'll have to use shortened shocks too (or a shock re-locator kit).

**BIG ORANGE** · 04-15-2003, 09:41 PM

No offense Randy but you only need a shock relocator kit after you go lower than 4" and to save some cash you can cut one round out of the bottom of the front springs and get 2 or so inch drop and still have a good ride,I done this for several guys around here and they where pleased with the stances and the cash they saved,as far as the shocks I've had no problem with the stock shocks with a 2 4 drop. unless your gonna haul stuff of a lot of weight!

jmanz69 · 04-15-2003, 09:42 PM

You will need to have your front end realigned also, you will get major tire wear if you don't!!!

crazy longhorn · 04-15-2003, 11:29 PM

I have done a cut coil (front), 1 full ring off the spring. I do also have shock relocators to keep the stock lenght shock in the middle of its travel. I dont have any ill handling problems, but will say that its more than a 2 " drop(pretty close to 3"). I have used a new aftermarket spring(the litest available) tho. At the rear, the relocators will stand the shock back up a bit(they work better that way). I have done that also.....5" rear drop, & moved the top brackets back, & extended the lower brackets(leaf truck). IMO, if all you need is a 2/4 drop, I would go aftermarket springs. You will be bordeline whether or not to use the shock relocators, but the truck will ride better if you relocate, or go shorter on the shocks. good luck,crazyL

dmoss69 · 04-16-2003, 02:11 AM

I'm thinking about heating mine.

Scold me!

here comes the heat.

D Moss

jmanz69 · 04-16-2003, 07:04 AM

dmoss69, I'm glad you don't live near me!! I don't want to be on the same road with your heated springs. Way too dangerous!!! Especially on 30+ year old springs!!!

*Randy70C-10* · 04-16-2003, 09:06 AM

BIG ORANGE- No offense taken and thanks for that info, it will help me as well.

MandarinSixSeven · 04-16-2003, 12:14 PM

Just take them right out, bump stops are nice and cushy

Long Knight · 04-16-2003, 12:44 PM

Quote:

dmoss69 I'm thinking about heating mine.

I already have some slumped springs I would be more than happy to sell...after I get new ones. I have three coils slumped together on each side, same coils! Actually, I have a nice level stance on the C-20 right now.

pinky350 · 04-16-2003, 03:18 PM

Guys Thanks for all your help. Where is a good place to get the
drop springs? And what is a good price to pay?

dmoss69 · 04-16-2003, 06:53 PM

I don't think I'm going to have much trouble with heated springs. I'm only looking for a small drop just to look mean. I don't want to slam it to the ground or anything.

I'll probably drop front and back to a level stance, and then go back and put air shocks on the back in case I tow something, and I guess I'll be ok.

D Moss

crazy longhorn · 04-16-2003, 07:35 PM

Heating springs is bad news......the heat changes the properties of the steel(no longer a spring). You will be at risk of breaking the spring, & setting a corner of the truck on the pavement(YIKES!) For your own saftey as well as others.......dont do this! crazyL

04-15-2003, 09:23 PM	#1
pinky350 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: TX Posts: 91	lowering a 71 I have a 71 short wide Chevy, that I want to lower. It is stock height. I want to use a 2" drop spring in the front and a 4" drop spring in the back. Will these work? And is that all I need to do? And where to buy from?

04-15-2003, 09:41 PM	#3
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,744	No offense Randy but you only need a shock relocator kit after you go lower than 4" and to save some cash you can cut one round out of the bottom of the front springs and get 2 or so inch drop and still have a good ride,I done this for several guys around here and they where pleased with the stances and the cash they saved,as far as the shocks I've had no problem with the stock shocks with a 2 4 drop. unless your gonna haul stuff of a lot of weight! __________________ Things happen for a reason!

04-15-2003, 11:29 PM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	I have done a cut coil (front), 1 full ring off the spring. I do also have shock relocators to keep the stock lenght shock in the middle of its travel. I dont have any ill handling problems, but will say that its more than a 2 " drop(pretty close to 3"). I have used a new aftermarket spring(the litest available) tho. At the rear, the relocators will stand the shock back up a bit(they work better that way). I have done that also.....5" rear drop, & moved the top brackets back, & extended the lower brackets(leaf truck). IMO, if all you need is a 2/4 drop, I would go aftermarket springs. You will be bordeline whether or not to use the shock relocators, but the truck will ride better if you relocate, or go shorter on the shocks. good luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

04-16-2003, 02:11 AM	#6
dmoss69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North, SC Posts: 52	coil springs I'm thinking about heating mine. Scold me! here comes the heat. D Moss __________________ 1985 GMC high seirra, 6.0 ls turbocharged several others.....

04-16-2003, 12:14 PM	#9
MandarinSixSeven Seasonal Poster Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Canada Posts: 896	Just take them right out, bump stops are nice and cushy __________________ 67 GMC Short Step 350/4-Speed/3.08 Posi Front/Rear Sway Bars Kelowna BC, Canada Member of DTPW

04-15-2003, 09:25 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	You'll have to use shortened shocks too (or a shock re-locator kit).

04-15-2003, 09:42 PM	#4
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	You will need to have your front end realigned also, you will get major tire wear if you don't!!!

04-16-2003, 07:04 AM	#7
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	dmoss69, I'm glad you don't live near me!! I don't want to be on the same road with your heated springs. Way too dangerous!!! Especially on 30+ year old springs!!!

04-16-2003, 09:06 AM	#8
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	BIG ORANGE- No offense taken and thanks for that info, it will help me as well.

04-16-2003, 03:18 PM	#11
pinky350 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: TX Posts: 91	Guys Thanks for all your help. Where is a good place to get the drop springs? And what is a good price to pay?

04-16-2003, 06:53 PM	#12
dmoss69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North, SC Posts: 52	heating springs I don't think I'm going to have much trouble with heated springs. I'm only looking for a small drop just to look mean. I don't want to slam it to the ground or anything. I'll probably drop front and back to a level stance, and then go back and put air shocks on the back in case I tow something, and I guess I'll be ok. D Moss __________________ 1985 GMC high seirra, 6.0 ls turbocharged several others.....

04-16-2003, 07:35 PM	#13
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Heating springs is bad news......the heat changes the properties of the steel(no longer a spring). You will be at risk of breaking the spring, & setting a corner of the truck on the pavement(YIKES!) For your own saftey as well as others.......dont do this! crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....



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