How to lower a 71 the right way

[farside847]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON Jan-14-05 AT 12:54 PM (CST)]I am looking to lower my 71 stepside a few inches. Nothing
too extreme, but maybe 2" in the front and 3" in the back. My
truck has front disc brakes with a coil, and the rear has your
standard leaf springs.

I have seen a few different ways to lower the truck, and thought
I would ask you guys what you thought the best way was to do it.

For the front I have seen 2.5" drop spindles, and lowering coil
springs. Is one better than the other, or should both be used?
How hard are they to install?

For the rear I have seen lowering blocks (are these for use with
leaf springs?), lowering leaf springs, and leaf spring shackles.
Is one way better than the other? Are shackles more of a "hack"?

I have also seen other options, like a rear shock relocating kits,
anti-sway bars, etc. Are any of these recommended?

thanks

 

[babyblue81]

I've heard two things

1) The coil spring idea sucks
2) You get what you pay for

Basically, my friend chris was telling me the coil springs are the cheapest, but when driving, it isn't comfortable at all. I don't know anything about it though, that's him :7

 

[58 chevy]

What ever you do DO NOT HEAT THE SPRINGS UP UP LOWER THEM!!!!!!

 

[dvalentine]

>
>
>For the front I have seen 2.5" drop spindles, and lowering
>coil springs. Is one better than the other, or should both be
>used?

I used both to get a 3 1/2 inch front drop. Spindles are the best way as your steering geometery and front end alignment will stay close to factory. In my opinion a one inch drop spring is a good compromise to get a good ride quality and a lowered stance. Any more than that and it starts to get a tad choppy.

>How hard are they to install?

Not too hard. Get your hands on a Factory Service Manual and it will give you an idea of the tools and talent needed. But a good set of hand tools will get it done. Remember too that it will need to go DIRECTLY to an alignment shop after messing with springs and spindles.

>
>For the rear I have seen lowering blocks (are these for use with
>leaf springs?), lowering leaf springs, and leaf spring shackles.
>Is one way better than the other? Are shackles more of a "hack"?

You must have a GMC. Springs are the best on the rear. Lowering blocks are seen most often on leaf spring trucks, but they are made for coil sprung rears as well. A 2 inch block will work good. More and you may bottom out the axle tubes on the frame rail every now and then. ( not a good thing if you are at speed )
>
>I have also seen other options, like a rear shock relocating
>kits, anti-sway bars, etc. Are any of these recommended?

Shock relocation is only necessary with large drops of 5 inches or more. It dosn't help to lower it, the springs do that, it just returns the shock back to a geometric angle that allows it to ,,, well,,, absorb road shocks! ;-)

A front sway bar is highly recommended. Most of the weight of a pickup is over the front wheels. Controlling that weights' desire to move while conering is best done with a front sway bar. And it works ! A rear sway bar ? There are two camps. The YES it's a good thing, and the NO it's not as necessary as the front sway bar. I'm in the it's not really necessary camp.

DV