Hey I lowered my 86 stepside 3"in the front with Belltech drop spindles and 4" in the back with Shackles and hangers from belltech every thing was nice and easy to do Todd}>
I know that I did the same thing but I lowered my 1975 fleetside 3 1/2 inches in the front and 4 inches in the rear. Made for a nice level look. Doing the dropped spindles is the right way to go and the only way to go. Didn't change how my truck handled and it rides real smoooth. I do not have the rough ride of a truck but more or less the ride of a nice car. The steering is so easy that one finger is all it takes.
You may have a problem using lowering shackles in the rear. I have an '83 stepside and I had to notch one of my bed crossmembers for a 2" lowering shackle. The flip kit would be about a 6" drop. The best option might be a new leaf spring or remove the overload spring and 2" lowering shackles.
