Hi, I have been looking around and heard that one way that you can lower your truck is with a C-notch in the rear. What is a C-notch? Please reply if you know. Also, I am planning on lowering my truck, but I haven't really figured out how to do it. I could buy a kit, or a set of drop spindles...I don't know. If I could have any of your guys advice on what the best way you have found to lower a truck...that would be great. Please respond. Thanks.
I forgot to add that this is my first truck. It is a 1974 Chevy Shortbox. I have a year to get my official license, so I am going to spend my time restoring it. I'll lower it, split the exhaust, get some nice wheels and tires, etc. I am glad that I have a forum to ask all of my questions. I hope that I will get to know some of you pickup truck guys so that you can assist with helping me with my problems. Thanks.
Hello, Whether you C-notch or not depends on how low you want your truck. You can get it pretty low without C-notching and I would avoid doing that if you can. A C-notch is where a portion of the frame is removed from the bottom and then welded up leaving a notch into which suspension components can travel (instead of bottoming out on the bottom side of the frame). Try the usual methods of lowering like dropped spindles, lowering blocks, etc., initially, and if it still isn't low enough, then look into C-notching as a last resort.
74 is a strange year for steel the steel workers went out on strike for most of the year and to suport Lek Welenskia and the solidarity movemrnt the us incouraged auto makers to buy polish steel the bulk of what was shipped was substanderd. if you look at things like rust on 74s or metel fatague it becomes obvious that 74 was not the best year for american cars. check your build date or date first sold an early build date like september 73 gives you us steel. all this my sound strange but if your going to notch your frame start with a good frame. i like using a rear spring perch which mounts with the shackle up and turning it over and mounting it as high as you can in the front it will give you about 5 inchs of drop and if you have a you pull-it junk yard in your area the spring perch is cheep. remember that your shock lingth is diferent and as you go low your drive shaft needs to be shorter and you will need castor shims to make sure that your pinion is pointed twords your transmishion. i like drop spindles beter than the spring cut the ride is not as good when you cut the springs. also you might think about switching upper a frames to get more castor. banjo
