My 4/6" ECE lowering install thread - 72 Shorty

[Tillik]

Very good job!

[c10Dream'n]

what a difference a stance will make. lookin good.

[TexasLS1]

That makes an awesome truck look more awesome! Nice work!!

[brawley]

Love ECE parts, perfect for these trucks, did this on my 63' and went together sweet, looking Good!! nice truck

[Shocks]

I love everything about this truck.

[cericd]

Now that you've had some time to drive it around, do you plan to add a c-notch? Any bottoming out? Do you still have the factory bump stops in the rear or did you trim/remove them?

Also, have you had any issues with the drop spindles or a-arms rubbing the inside edge of your rims?

[Ekliptix]

I've put some good miles on it since the drop. I don't plan to install a c-notch. I've never heard or felt the rear axle hitting. I did cut 1/2 off the rear bump stops for some additional clearance.

In the front, I have not looked to see if there is any rubbing inside the rim against the spindle or a-arm. There is certainly no noise. The only rubbing that occurs is the tires touch the inner fender over some bumps. I've come to the conclusion that it's because I'm running 275 tires all around. Less wide tires up front would likely resolve this.

With the springs and new swaybar, the truck corners much better and flatter. In general, it feels much tighter.

[Elliot949]

Truck looks GREAT!!!! Perfect Stance...

[Mike C]

Truck looks awesome! I've got 2 1/2" ECE spindles and 2" springs for the front of my '69 short step. I'm going to do an axle flip on the leafs in the rear, and would be STOKED if it sits as well as yours. Nice work.

[tommyd241]

Spot on!!!!

[Coursey]

I am getting ready to do the same install in about a week.

Any pre-advice?

Truck looks awesome.

[big_al_71]

That's the best kit from ece

[zicc1835]

interesting that this thread got reserected today ...because i was talking to a freind TODAY about installing my ECE kit actually i bought a bag set up recently ( from another board member)so in the rear at least I'm gonna use bags instead of the 6 inch drop springs any advice on this would be appreciated. Can someone also tell me do the top ECE shock relocater brackets bolt into the rivet wholes that the originals where in....i should mention i bought my kit from another board member about 2 years ago and have not even opened those boxes to look for directions

[OregonNed]

Looks awesome! Would love to make my '68 the same

[Malamute]

It turned out great. What size tires are you running?

[Ekliptix]

Originally Posted by Coursey

I am getting ready to do the same install in about a week.

Any pre-advice?

Truck looks awesome.

I've already forgotten some of the heartaches of the install. Grinding off the rear rivets to install the new upper shock mount was by far the step that required the most patience. Once you've done that, the rest seems easy. Getting the brake caliper spreader is another tool you'll need. I took the install on leaving a lot of time for myself and without a ton of mechanical experience.

If you get stuck or find the instructions leaving out details, feel free to post here and I'll share my input.

Originally Posted by zicc1835

interesting that this thread got reserected today ...because i was talking to a freind TODAY about installing my ECE kit actually i bought a bag set up recently ( from another board member)so in the rear at least I'm gonna use bags instead of the 6 inch drop springs any advice on this would be appreciated. Can someone also tell me do the top ECE shock relocater brackets bolt into the rivet wholes that the originals where in....i should mention i bought my kit from another board member about 2 years ago and have not even opened those boxes to look for directions

Yes, you use the original rivet holes in the frame to mount the ECE upper shock relocate bracket. Photo on page 2. PM me your email if you want a copy of the install directions.

Originally Posted by Malamute

It turned out great. What size tires are you running?

BFG 275/60/15. I believe the front tires are a bit too wide and rub on the inner fender over some bumps. I'd go a bit more narrow on the fronts next time.

[GeirJB]

Nice Stance you got there now!
Think I will do the same with my -67! I have drop spindels in the front and some 5" CPP springs in the Rear. No shock relocations!
So ECE kit with 2" front springs, 6" rear and all the other stuff will be great for mine truck! Just have to check if that kit is possible to get without drop-spindels!

How is the ride now with this kit?

[Ekliptix]

It's firm. I've used bilstein shocks on sports cars in the past with great results, but I think the shocks with the ECE kit are on the lower end. A higher end set of shocks intended for short shock travel may provide a less firm ride.

[Coursey]

Which way is up on the sway bar?

[Mike C]

Like bottom pic on my truck. See your thread...

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Coursey

Which way is up on the sway bar?

Originally Posted by Mike C

Like bottom pic on my truck. See your thread...

I think it depends on the amount lowered and if you still have the stock frame stand, lowered ECE style frame stands or no frame stands at all.
I always just look at ride height and see how it would fit the best.
I've long forgot which direction the factory installed them. Ha

[BHyatt]

I have found that an air chisel makes short work of those pesky factory rivets.

[No8Easy2]

yes yes indeed! its spot on man, now put the tools down and don't touch it again!

[hdff]

Originally Posted by Ekliptix

I've already forgotten some of the heartaches of the install. Grinding off the rear rivets to install the new upper shock mount was by far the step that required the most patience. Once you've done that, the rest seems easy. Getting the brake caliper spreader is another tool you'll need. I took the install on leaving a lot of time for myself and without a ton of mechanical experience.

If you get stuck or find the instructions leaving out details, feel free to post here and I'll share my input.


Yes, you use the original rivet holes in the frame to mount the ECE upper shock relocate bracket. Photo on page 2. PM me your email if you want a copy of the install directions.


BFG 275/60/15. I believe the front tires are a bit too wide and rub on the inner fender over some bumps. I'd go a bit more narrow on the fronts next time.

I am fixing to put the shock relocators and super panhard bar, how was the alighnment of the panhard bar? Also what are the shocks you used, are they shorter for a lowered truck?

[Ekliptix]

The alignment of the panhard bar was easy. I installed it, measured the distance from the rear drum to the fender on each side, it wasn't even so I adjusted the panhard bar via the threads that make up its ends until the rear axle was centered.

For shocks I'm using the ones included in the ECE kit, KYB shocks. They are ok but if they had an upgrade option for the shocks, I'd get them.