98' static drop on 16s

First post noob!

this is my 98, 305. P/O told me it was lowered on 2" spindles upfront and "blocks" in the back w/ cargo bags.

Long story short I bought it without knowing a thing about trucks (my last car was a static lowered VW). Front looks all stock besides the spindles, and possibly cut springs.

The rear has the axle flipped, shackle, notch and some dry rotted bags, as far as I can tell.

wheels are 17" rallye wheels, the P/O wants them back and id like to go to 16" steels with something factory width in the front and a wider rear possibly 8/9".

That leaves me unsure how much drop it actually has because to me it seems way more that 2/4 like P/O stated.

Before I go ahead and buy wheels and tires I want to get the suspension sorted and correct the current lean it has, the left side is just over a 1" lower than the right both in the front and rear. The trucks never been involved in any frame accidents so I know it isn't that. Im just thinking somebody didn't align or cut the springs correctly.

My plans are to change out the upper and lower control arms with calmax -2 and some -1 springs up front and then mess with the rear to get my desired stance. My main concern is to get the front where the alignment is straight and I have no issues with my turning radius/wheels hitting the lower control arm on a lock (somebody mentioned this to me).

Im looking for any suggestions, criticism and ideas, so I can get it all done correct the first time. It is a daily driver and does 80miles a day atleast.

Spindles & cut springs (1 coil = 2") is a 4" drop.
Flip kit = 6", + a shackle & then it could be either 7" or an 8" drop depending on which position the spring is attached to the shackle.
That looks to be a 4/7 drop. Sits level looking from the side comparing the rear height to the front.
A 3" drop difference is what's required for these trucks to sit level, as your's does.
At that height, is your box cross-member notched? It needs to be, if not!
The lean? Welcome to GMT400 land. It's typical.
16" wheels with a 5x5 bolt pattern aren't common, if they even exist at all. I've never seen any.
15" SS wheels would look good on there with some 275/60's. Factory size on the 454SS's. Speedo has to reclaculated, though. It'll read about 10% fast.
Those shorter 275's help out the acceleration too. Sort of like a cheap gear change.
But if you're looking for any type of decent performance tires in that size, good luck. BFG's or Coopers are not what I would consider 'performance'!
Nanking, Hankook & Nitto also make that size, but they're more $$$. The Nitto's are about the only ones that I would call 'performance'. 50% more $$$ than the others, of course!
Don't even consider Dunlops. (Dumbflops!)
I've been looking at these. Made by Federal. Good reviews out of Australia on them.

http://www.tires-direct.com/cgi-bin...&partner=1&ID=psm_rdb_us_shopping&Country=BUS

If you were to go to a factory 17" wheel, of which the Impala SS's are the only ones to exist in a 5x5 pattern, there's a ton more choices in tires too.
***EDIT*** 17" Jeep wheels are 5x5. IIRC, they require spacers, though.
275/55 or 255/60 is almost dead on as far as diameter compared to the stock original tire size. (235/75-15) But those 17" sizes given are much wider of course.
Lots of aftermarket choice in wheels that size. (or larger!)

As far as finding a tire size, use this.

http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator

or this.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

Thanks for the info, wasn't aware rear end flip was -6.

im looking at some wheels like this;

http://www.uswheel.com/products/chrmsmoothie

the wheel specs im looking at 16x7, offset 0 and backspace 4" for the front, according to the wheel spacing info thread the front should tuck.

I was looking at 225/50/16 upfront on 7" and 245/70 on a 8/9" rear. I don't really hoon my truck, I have no faith in it stopping in a hurry LOL so performance tire isn't too high on my list just low road noise, all season.

looking into -2 calmax LCAs im now worried about the spring pocket being too low to the ground...?

Huh! Never seen those. Like'em! Don't know much about the 16" tires size as I've never known of those!
Lower control arms & spindles. Seems to me that guys that have done that have alignment probs. Dunno.
Have to have the alignment knock-outs done for sure, if they're not done already.
Why the change to the dropped control arms? Nothing wrong with springs being cut just as long as it's not too much. Cut springs have an increased spring rate giving a bit more of a firmer ride.
A GMT800 master will help out with the crappy brakes these trucks have.

I think im gunna put some legit drop spring in it and then get a alignment. I was going for -2 lower control arms just to try and help with any alignment issues.

I need to the gmt400 master.

Nice truck guy!

My blue 2wd shorty had dropped spindles, coils and a flip kit in the rear. Alignment was dirt simple, and with me replacing all the bushings out for greasable poly stuff it rode soooo good.

There is also Michigan Metal Works. Depends on how much you want to spend I guess. Were you looking to go a little higher to get some clearance and a little more wheel travel? Try and avoid curbs and speed bumps and **** or just get it to align straight and drive better? How does this thing drive down the road currently?

Thanks,

I guess im just overthinking any alignment issues. Theres a set of -1 springs on CL near me that im going to do that way I will have a little more ground clearance and counter act the smaller wheels.

My current alingment is all jacked up, the wheel is at about 9 O'clock when travelling straight, some bump steer, theres a tiny amount of play that I think is the steering box or pitman/idler arm.

Whats a good brand to do the poly bushes?

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/3.18107

If you shop around a bit (Ebay, etc.) there are deals to be found that are a bit less expensive than what Energy's site has them listed for. Same part number.

Here's the page for other urethane parts from Energy available over & above the master kit's contents.

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/products/chevrolet_c1500_pickup_1997

The control arm bushings are a tough install. Need a press to get 'em in. A big one!
Use lots & lots of the lube. The kit comes with one tube of that. Order an extra one.