Lowering my 1982 GMC

[SSsquarebody]

Wanting to lower my 1982 GMC and still run my factory rally wheels, am I able to do this?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[smoothandlow84]

Depends on how low you want to go....

If you want 3 inches up front...drop coils (3"), or you could cut a coil and a half off of the oem spring.

If you want to use drop spindles seperately or in combination with drop coils. ..anything more than 2" drop spindles will interfere with the inside lip of the 15" rally wheels.



Of course...either springs or spindles up front will require a front end alignment.

Out back...(depending on how low).....drop hangers (2") lower...or flip kit about 5", or you could remove the overload spring and do a drop hanger (3") lower

 

[74 Shortbed]

Also depends on tire diameter, this has 3" coils in the front and a flip kit in back with a 27" tall tire on 15's.

 

[SSsquarebody]

Thanks for the info, now at least I got an idea on what i'm looking at. Prob do the drop spindles up front and try to get the rear down 3 to 4 inches.

Steve

 

[SSsquarebody]

74 Shortbed, can you tell me what coils you used in the front and what flip kit in the rear? That's the look i'm thinking, your truck looks sweet!!!

Steve

 

[74 Shortbed]

Thanks Steve, it's all Western Chassis and I was surprised at the ride, I figured 3" coils would be rough but it was quite nice. But when it goes back together I will be going with spindles and coils, along with tubular upper and lower control arms, I'll leave the back as is it has the stance I want.

 

[Darkrider]

Thanks Steve, it's all Western Chassis and I was surprised at the ride, I figured 3" coils would be rough but it was quite nice. But when it goes back together I will be going with spindles and coils, along with tubular upper and lower control arms, I'll leave the back as is it has the stance I want.

What arms are you upgrading to that allow the use of coils? Also what size tires do you have on your truck? After seeing it i am seriously considering going the 3/4 route vs 2.5/4.

 

[74 Shortbed]

What arms are you upgrading to that allow the use of coils? Also what size tires do you have on your truck? After seeing it i am seriously considering going the 3/4 route vs 2.5/4.

I'm gonna go with CPP upper and lower, tires are 255/60/15 they are 27" tall and with the 3.42 gears and overdrive it's perfect going down the freeway, if you have different gears you may want a different tire, that would change the amount of drop to make it look the same as mine.

 

[Darkrider]

I'm gonna go with CPP upper and lower, tires are 255/60/15 they are 27" tall and with the 3.42 gears and overdrive it's perfect going down the freeway, if you have different gears you may want a different tire, that would change the amount of drop to make it look the same as mine.

Not even sure what gearing i have at the moment. I should really run the vin to get an idea as to what should be there.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Not even sure what gearing i have at the moment. I should really run the vin to get an idea as to what should be there.

Well, unless you know the full history on the truck the VIN is not the most reliable source anymore, it can tell you what it came with from the factory but after all these years who knows what changes have been made by different owners. easiest way to tell what gears you have is rotate a wheel one complete turn and count the revolutions of the drive shaft.

 

[Darkrider]

Well, unless you know the full history on the truck the VIN is not the most reliable source anymore, it can tell you what it came with from the factory but after all these years who knows what changes have been made by different owners. easiest way to tell what gears you have is rotate a wheel one complete turn and count the revolutions of the drive shaft.

Fair enough. I plan on opening up the rear diff in the summer anyway to deal with a pinion seal...might see what gearing it has then and take advantage of the situation to regear or at least add a locking diff.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Fair enough. I plan on opening up the rear diff in the summer anyway to deal with a pinion seal...might see what gearing it has then and take advantage of the situation to regear or at least add a locking diff.

Wouldn't hurt to drain the oil and look around in there anyways, and the ratio is stamped on the ring gear.

 

[86 C10 Shortbed]

I purchased the Magaughys 2.5" front/4" rear drop kit. They have two different versions depending on how thick your front rotors are. 1" thick for light duty brakes and 1.25" for heavy duty brakes. I ran my 15" ralleys with 275/60/15 with no rub in the rear. You will also need to notch your bed rail to clear the rear shackles. I also installed polygraphite bushings front and rear. The ride is smooth and tight.

 

[SSsquarebody]

I purchased the Magaughys 2.5" front/4" rear drop kit. They have two different versions depending on how thick your front rotors are. 1" thick for light duty brakes and 1.25" for heavy duty brakes. I ran my 15" ralleys with 275/60/15 with no rub in the rear. You will also need to notch your bed rail to clear the rear shackles. I also installed polygraphite bushings front and rear. The ride is smooth and tight.

Mark, did you install drop spindles in front or just the springs?

 

[MikeB]

I purchased the Magaughys 2.5" front/4" rear drop kit. I ran my 15" ralleys with 275/60/15 with no rub in the rear.

What is wheel width and tire size in the front? Any clearance issues?