The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1947 - 1959 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-07-2007, 12:44 AM   #1
Tri5Nerd
Tripple Five Fanatic
 
Tri5Nerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 658
Why is frontend sitting high?

All,

I'm curious as to why my 55.2 front clip is sitting high when it should be lowered based on having the camaro clip?

When I got the frame it was in pieces and the upper and lower control arms and all supporting parts were off the frame. Everyone I talk to said that the frame should be sitting lower than it is now, with the springs installed it appears that the upper control arm is going to hit the frame, at the top of the arm there is a little area for a rubber insert which it does not have but that is not the issue. I'll get that insert.
I'm thinking that I will need to cut the springs to bring it down to the height I want.

Please look at the picture and tell me if it looks correct. Shot the control arms be stilling up whn the wheels are on? mine is not raised up.
Attached Images
 
Tri5Nerd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2007, 01:09 AM   #2
dwcsr
Hollister Road Co.
 
dwcsr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 6,134
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

don't cut anything untill you have it at curb weight.
dwcsr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2007, 08:55 AM   #3
bretcopsey
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: dayton, oh
Posts: 327
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dwcsr View Post
don't cut anything untill you have it at curb weight.


Once even the engine/transmission are installed, the suspension will compress quite a bit. In the meantime, if you need to see what final ride height should be, get some 1/2" all thread and a bunch of appropriately sized washers and nuts. Mount the all thread in place of the shocks and use it to compress the springs until the lower control arms are parallel to the ground.

I used 5/8" all thread on mine, but I had to enlarge the holes for the upper shock mount in order to use it.
Attached Images
 
__________________
My 51 project
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2285825

My 68 Camaro project
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2277404/1

Last edited by bretcopsey; 05-07-2007 at 08:58 AM.
bretcopsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2007, 04:34 PM   #4
55ChevyPU
Registered User
 
55ChevyPU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 282
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

have 4 or 5 guys stand on the frame and I bet you wont be thinking the same thing :P
55ChevyPU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2007, 04:48 PM   #5
fireout
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: NE Oklahoma USA
Posts: 63
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

It's probably about right with no engine weight on it. Start piling stuff on and then see if you need to do more to lower it.
fireout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2007, 08:26 PM   #6
CAL 58 GMC
Senior Member
 
CAL 58 GMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Clovis Ca.
Posts: 3,311
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Yours looks about right. I had two inch dropped coils in mine before I went to the shockwaves. Once you have the motor, trans, cab, clips, bumers and bed on it will drop down more. If it's still not low enough, then you might want to look into dropped spindles. P.S. Your frame looks great!
Attached Images
 

Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 05-07-2007 at 08:26 PM.
CAL 58 GMC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 12:29 AM   #7
Tri5Nerd
Tripple Five Fanatic
 
Tri5Nerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 658
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Here's a picture with the motor and transmission in, I also had the front sheetmetal on and it didn't go down any lower. Shouldn't the crossmember sit lower?
Attached Images
 

Last edited by Tri5Nerd; 05-08-2007 at 12:30 AM.
Tri5Nerd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 08:44 AM   #8
bretcopsey
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: dayton, oh
Posts: 327
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri5Nerd View Post
Here's a picture with the motor and transmission in, I also had the front sheetmetal on and it didn't go down any lower. Shouldn't the crossmember sit lower?
I've always read that the lower control arms shouls be about parallel to the ground. Another way to guage that is the center of the lower ball joint should be level with or just below the control arm mounting bolts.
__________________
My 51 project
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2285825

My 68 Camaro project
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2277404/1
bretcopsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 10:28 AM   #9
1-ton of fun
polishing a turd
 
1-ton of fun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 674
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

what springs are in there?
__________________
59 chevy apache 31 4x4 - my project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8668512

53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo
47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build
99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van'
1-ton of fun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 10:44 AM   #10
Tri5Nerd
Tripple Five Fanatic
 
Tri5Nerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 658
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun View Post
what springs are in there?
I've tried 2 different sets of springs, the springs that came with the frame and a set I bought which is from a 72 camaro.
Tri5Nerd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 11:22 AM   #11
1-ton of fun
polishing a turd
 
1-ton of fun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 674
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

i would get the truck completely together, sheet metal, battery, fluids and all, then trim the springs to get the height where you want it.

also, what motor are you running? are they big block springs that you got?
__________________
59 chevy apache 31 4x4 - my project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8668512

53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo
47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build
99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van'
1-ton of fun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 01:27 PM   #12
Tri5Nerd
Tripple Five Fanatic
 
Tri5Nerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 658
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun View Post
i would get the truck completely together, sheet metal, battery, fluids and all, then trim the springs to get the height where you want it.

also, what motor are you running? are they big block springs that you got?
I'm running a LS1 motor which is lighter than most SB, and the springs are from a small block chevy camaro.
Tri5Nerd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 10:11 PM   #13
TooMany2count
Who's in CHARGE??????????
 
TooMany2count's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cahokia, IL
Posts: 455
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

use 6 cylinder springs or see if S10 springs are the same width && if they are use a set of V6 or 4cylinder springs. my son put a SBC in an S10 that had a 4popper & it really didnt drop the front a lot, just an idea to think about...joe
__________________
Send a card to a soldier in Iraq
My Music PlayList
Large Marge
Donate Blood,Plasma,Platelets & sign your DONORS CARD & SAVE a LIFE
TooMany2count is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2007, 10:44 PM   #14
pgf545
Registered User
 
pgf545's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Santa Fe,Texas
Posts: 933
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

You might want to drive it a little also before you start cutting coils. I did a 72 Chevelle with all new springs and front end components and when I first dropped it the front end was about an inch or two taller than before. Once I drove it for a while it settled down to normal ride height. Of course that was all in stock trim so I don't know how much yours will settle with a lighter motor etc.

Bernie
__________________
52 Chevy Truck (Dad's)
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206021

Last edited by pgf545; 05-08-2007 at 10:44 PM.
pgf545 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2007, 02:13 PM   #15
GATORBUILT '59
Registered User
 
GATORBUILT '59's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Pearland,TX.
Posts: 141
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Yes, I agree w/ Bernie. I was always told when breaking in new springs you should drive about 250 miles. Also make sure that the springs are twisted into the perches correctly.
GATORBUILT '59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2007, 09:57 PM   #16
Tri5Nerd
Tripple Five Fanatic
 
Tri5Nerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 658
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

Quote:
Originally Posted by GATORBUILT '59 View Post
Yes, I agree w/ Bernie. I was always told when breaking in new springs you should drive about 250 miles. Also make sure that the springs are twisted into the perches correctly.
OK, I'll wait til I have everything on and drive it for a little while before doing anything. I still think it's too high.
Tri5Nerd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2007, 10:17 PM   #17
cajundragger
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: louisiana
Posts: 1,008
Re: Why is frontend sitting high?

bag it
cajundragger is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com