skunk Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 so i did use the search but i think some one says something about lowering in about every thread so i havnt found what im looking for really. so when it comes to auto work i dont have my head up my ass but i am a novice. i want to lower the rear of my truck 2" - 3" thats it, is this the kind of thing i can do myself, what parts/kits/tools would i need to get this job done and were can i get them at a ratsun price Quote Link to comment
moparvwfreak Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 drop blocks. thats how i have always lowered my trucks. you should be able to pick up blocks at your local parts house. i KNOW you can get em from Autozone, if you have one. i was looking at a 3 inch kit and ti ran like $40 or so. you can drop it with normal hand tools but air works best. i dont know exact sizes as one trucks been lowered already and the other hasn't been touched YET. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 Lowering can be done by removing a spring. A lot of work plus the spring won't carry as much weight, and worse, it will allow the truck to sag lower on dips in the road. On a truck that is now sitting lower, you do not want it traveling closer to the ground on a dip. Softer rear springs will also increase the tendency for the truck to oversteer. A better method is to use blocks between the axle and the springs. This effectively lowers the body without affecting the spring rates. Usually the U bolts are removed the axle raised (body lowered) and the block installed. New longer U bolts installed. In all case where the body height is altered the angle of the driveshaft will also be affected. This will increase the angle of the U joints as well and can cause vibration. Quote Link to comment
Roadracer Al Posted October 17, 2009 Report Share Posted October 17, 2009 I have the "leftovers" from a set of 3" blocks (they actually were like 3 1/4") which I cut in half to get less drop. The blocks are about 1 3/4". I'd need to make and install the pin. Sellum to you cheap, $25 + actual shipping. Quote Link to comment
Ray 620 Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Question,, my rear is lowered 3" with lowering blocks and original leaf springs,, i want to lower it more without adding lowering blocks coz the blocks mite hit the ground already.. do i just have to replace the leaf springs or should i take out 1 leaf spring just to make it softer so it'll drop lower?? if so, which leaf spring?? thanx,, Quote Link to comment
Guest kamakazi620 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Buy some flat overload spings,then remove all but the main leaf spring,install the overloads,and your done!! if its to low add a leaf or 2 Quote Link to comment
sick620 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 my truck is running a main spring, and overload spring, and 3 inch lowering blocks. if i were u i would just start with the blocks. installing blocks... 1. jack up truck under frame and set on jack stands 2.put jack under rear diff untill its supported by the jack 3.remove nuts from U-bolts 4.remove u bolts 5.jack up rear axle 3 inches 6. insert a block in between leaf springs and axle on both sides note:blocks will have a hole in the bottom and a nub on the top there is a bolt on top of leafs that gos in hole and a hole in bottom of axle to insert the nub on top of block.(self explanatory) 7. make sure you are lined up good 8.replace old u bolts with new ones that are 3 inches longer to incorporate blocks(MAKE SURE YOU BUY A KIT THAT COMES WITH BLOCKS AND NEW U BOLTS) this kit is only 20 bucks at schucks/kragens 9. tighten everything very snug to make for a nicer ride and to eliminate any unwanted sounds. 10.good luck should take about 30 minutes Quote Link to comment
skunk Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 sweet, maybe ill do that this weekend. but i should wait till i get my new wheels on to see how low i want to go Quote Link to comment
Madness Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 just do what i did 4" Z, its easy. just cut your frame in half and weld it back together. :D Quote Link to comment
Smiley720 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Madness has the right idea but too easy... just weld some bars in and who cares about ride, thats what air pressure is for Quote Link to comment
uhhitsfuzzy Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 where can i get those flat overload springs? Quote Link to comment
Smiley720 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 junkyards, the flat overload springs are the bottom springs in the leaf pack Quote Link to comment
yello620 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 where can i get those flat overload springs? Rear of ford explorer if i remember correctly, Measure the width of the springs to verify.:D Quote Link to comment
skunk Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 dont think im trying to go that low. i think the blocks will do the trick. Quote Link to comment
nukeday Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Brooks discount auto parts on Franklin has several of these kits and the U-bolts too. :) Don't get too crazy to start, I want to say at 3" you're beginning to mess with pinion angle and can start causing yourself accelerated wear on U-joints and stuff. I know datzenmike posted about it somewhere. If the U-bolts end up too long you'll need to saw some of the excess off. Leave 1/2" - 3/4", and then force a short piece of vacuum or fuel line over the end of the studs. This will help to keep the threads from getting severely beat up. Have you picked up some additional tools? Have fun! Quote Link to comment
Woody620 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Ive never actually done this but I hear if you reverse the stock leafs it will lower it and keep it stiff. I think if you reverse the second to largest leaf it will give you another 3" drop and if you want less than that you can reverse one of the smaller ones. And its free! Quote Link to comment
Guest kamakazi620 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Autozone or schucks should have the flat overloads in stock Quote Link to comment
skunk Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 well i should have my wheels tomorrow, then ill get some cash together and get tires on them. then ill know how much lower i want to go. i think im going to leave the back a bit higher then the front. maybe even thicker tires on the back Quote Link to comment
skunk Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 and no im still lacking in tools.i plan on geting some stuff soon tho. soon as some of my CL stuff sells Quote Link to comment
Guest kamakazi620 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 If you Do deicide to go that low,you can make some spacers to go under the carrier bearing to correct your pinion angle,there is a thread on this somewhere..... Quote Link to comment
sick620 Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 sweet, maybe ill do that this weekend. but i should wait till i get my new wheels on to see how low i want to go did you get yourself some blocks yet? Quote Link to comment
1Low620 Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 I just tossed out some 3" angled blocks and u-bolts :( Quote Link to comment
skunk Posted November 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 no i havnt got any blocks yes, i need to get rubber on my wheels to see how much i can even lower the truck, the tires are going to stick out of the fenders so yeah Quote Link to comment
1Low620 Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 no i havnt got any blocks yes, i need to get rubber on my wheels to see how much i can even lower the truck, the tires are going to stick out of the fenders so yeah If you're running 15" wheels, 205-50-15's fit nicely, since you don't plan on taking it down too far they make a great fit if your offset isnt so large that it makes them stick out past the fenders. could also run a 195/185-50-15 if your going for that low-profile look. Quote Link to comment
skunk Posted November 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 If you're running 15" wheels, 205-50-15's fit nicely, since you don't plan on taking it down too far they make a great fit if your offset isnt so large that it makes them stick out past the fenders. could also run a 195/185-50-15 if your going for that low-profile look. i was told a 235 would be the smallest i could go with a 8.5 wide wheel and that theres no way a 195 would fit. and yes they do stick out with the offset, im thinking about rolling the fenders a bit and slapin some flares on it. Quote Link to comment
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