new member with a 78 c20

[squarebuddy88]

Hello all, thanks for letting me in. Ive been a squarebody fan since I can remember and have owned a few over the years. I currently own a 78 c20 scottsdale camper special. I want to do a few modifications to this truck and im hoping you guys will be able to help me along the way.

Im from central florida and currently a student at a welding school.

Any questions about my truck or whatever just ask

My original goal with this truck was to lower it a few inches to make it easier loading things in the bed like dirtbikes. I also would love some fat tires on all four corners. Ive been researching for months trying to make up my mind of what route to go. For the life of me I cant figure out a good wheel and tire combo thats got a good weight rating and will look good. Im on a pretty small budget right now ive got probably 1300 or so for modifications. I dont think ill be able to do new wheels and tires and do the suspension, but i might be able to swing the suspension with new tires on the "stock" 16inch steel wheels for now. From what i gatether, four inches is as low as i can go in the rear without having to cut the frame for a c notch, which id like to avoid. The easiest route i see is a set of 4 inch drop leafs from western chassis, but they run about 600 per set. I cant really make up my mind of where to go from here. anyways, thats my story for now. if i need to ill make another post specifically about the trucks modifications/plans

 

[Goldie Driver]

Welcome aboard !

My vote is to leave it as is - looks good now.

But, I like trucks looking like, well, trucks.

 

[Ken B]

Looks good welcome!
Lots of good sources of Info here.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Welcome from New Mexico

 

[Craig 85]

Welcome!

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.
I've always liked the stance of 3/4 tons the way they came from the factory.
I just use a longer ramp for loading my bikes.

 

[Memaloose]

I agree, it looks great the way it is without modifications.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[animal]

 

[Corvette Ed]

Welcome aboard from East Tennessee. Your stock wheels look great.

 

[Grit dog]

Welcome!
If you're really just lowering it for access for loading bikes, etc, I'd leave it alone and spend money fixing it up instead...just me.
If you're wanting the lowered look, front drop spindles = about $300 + misc parts that maybe "should be" replaced at the same time.
You could get a couple/3 inches out of the rear springs and save a little load carrying capability by removing some of the leaves.
Your springs should look similar to this. If you leave (no pun intended) the top 3 or 4 leafs, that will drop it significantly, at least 2".

You must be registered for see images attach

Tires will look goofy if they're "much" smaller in diameter, but re-using your existing rims, you could get a little shorter and fatter tire.
Regardless, nice truck!

 

[Big Chip]

Hello all, thanks for letting me in. Ive been a squarebody fan since I can remember and have owned a few over the years. I currently own a 78 c20 scottsdale camper special. I want to do a few modifications to this truck and im hoping you guys will be able to help me along the way.

Im from central florida and currently a student at a welding school.

Any questions about my truck or whatever just ask

My original goal with this truck was to lower it a few inches to make it easier loading things in the bed like dirtbikes. I also would love some fat tires on all four corners. Ive been researching for months trying to make up my mind of what route to go. For the life of me I cant figure out a good wheel and tire combo thats got a good weight rating and will look good. Im on a pretty small budget right now ive got probably 1300 or so for modifications. I dont think ill be able to do new wheels and tires and do the suspension, but i might be able to swing the suspension with new tires on the "stock" 16inch steel wheels for now. From what i gatether, four inches is as low as i can go in the rear without having to cut the frame for a c notch, which id like to avoid. The easiest route i see is a set of 4 inch drop leafs from western chassis, but they run about 600 per set. I cant really make up my mind of where to go from here. anyways, thats my story for now. if i need to ill make another post specifically about the trucks modifications/plans

You may want to look into 4" lowering shackles for the rear and maybe a 2" drop spring for the front if you're only looking to go a little lower. It would probably level the truck and not get you onto the bump stops.

 

[squarebuddy88]

Thanks for all the replys guys. Like I said, I cant really decide what to do. I had a lifted k10 before this and got rid of it so I could make a lower easier to load truck. And I do love these trucks, sometimes they do look cool all stock. I think since mine isnt mint condition, and appears stock, it just looks kind of plain. The fat wheels and tires were more for looks, but ive convinced my wife that lowering it just a bit would be practical, or add some ease to the main use for the truck. As far as removing leaves in the pack, im not sure i want to reduce the load capacity that much. And also, ive never heard of four inch drop shackles, but those would have to be super long and id probably have to cut a hole in the bed floor for clearance. I could be open to doing other things to it as well to make it "mine". We shall see i guess. This is my first day as a member so if i am replying wrong here please excuse. I couldnt figure out how to reply to each person individually lol. Ill get the hang of it though.

 

[Big Chip]

And also, ive never heard of four inch drop shackles, but those would have to be super long and id probably have to cut a hole in the bed floor for clearance.

I misspoke, you'd need 2" shackles and 2" hangers for the 4". You are completely correct about the 4" shackle but if you had an F150 it would work!

 

[squarebuddy88]

does anyone know on the c20s if you do a 2 inch drop shackle on the rear, would the bed need clearanceing? I know you do with the half ton trucks with the 52 inch springs, but this truck has 56 inch springs from the factory.

also

If i was to either keep the suspension stock, or maybe do the reverse level with 2 inch drop in the rear, what tire size should i be looking at if i want to run a 16x10 wheel? I think the ones ive been looking at are -24 offset / 4.5 backspace, theyre the procomp 69 series vintage wheels. I know the half ton guys run 10 inch wide wheels on their lowered trucks, so i dont see why it wouldnt fit on the 3/4 tons if the tire size and backspace/offset is correct. here is a link to the ones im talking about, and if anyone runs something similar on their c20, pictures would be great, thanks!

https://www.procompusa.com/product-...ith-8-on-6-5-bolt-pattern-polished-1069-6182/