4" and it's only level?

[Josh S]

Hello all, I'm new here. Recently bought a truck with the intent of creating what I wanted in high school. Nothing over the top, just something to cruise in. I started with a DJM 4" shackle/hanger kit. The plan was to drop rear then decide on 2" or 3" lower control arms for a 2/4 or 3/4 drop. With 4" drop complete the rear is only 1/2" lower than front. 3" definitely seems too low now. Not even certain on 2". I regret not measuring wheel center to fender trim prior to drop. As it stands rear is +/-19" from center of wheel to bottom of fender trim. Front is 19 1/2". Can anyone tell me what they've got in rear after shackle/hanger? Front after 2" LCA? 3" LCA? Thanks

1989 C1500 Regular cab, fleetside, 350

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Do you have a 3+1 or 4+1 spring pack? Meaning # of leafs + 1 overload. The PO of my 88 C1500 installed a 4+1 pack and realized it was way too high so he extended the shackles by about 4" to get it only 2" higher than the front.

 

[Aarong23]

The industry standard on drop kits for these trucks has always been 2/4, 3/4, 4/6, etc. You will still have a slight rake with those kits. If you want to stick with the 4 inch rear drop, a one inch drop spring will get you level or cut a coil. It's either a coil or half a coil I think.

 

[Josh S]

Do you have a 3+1 or 4+1 spring pack? Meaning # of leafs + 1 overload. The PO of my 88 C1500 installed a 4+1 pack and realized it was way too high so he extended the shackles by about 4" to get it only 2" higher than the front.

I'm zooming in on pics and it appears to be 3+1. I'll verify tomorrow.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

I'm zooming in on pics and it appears to be 3+1. I'll verify tomorrow.

Another thought - you can always remove the overload leaf and gain ~1"

 

[Josh S]

The industry standard on drop kits for these trucks has always been 2/4, 3/4, 4/6, etc. You will still have a slight rake with those kits. If you want to stick with the 4 inch rear drop, a one inch drop spring will get you level or cut a coil. It's either a coil or half a coil I think.

Thanks, I'm familiar with the popular drops, but this looks, though my eyes, to be what most get with 2" shackles. I'll work on posting a picture.

 

[xjsciortino]

What kind of cab configuration do you have? When I dropped my truck I just pulled a leaf spring and then did 3" drop coils. It appears to sit pretty level. Yes not a great idea to pull a leaf spring on something that will haul or tow much, but for a budget drop it gets the job done

 

[Josh S]

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Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[xjsciortino]

Your truck looks good. I've never done shackles and a drop hanger, but the only thing that I could think of that would cause it not drop right would be if the shackle was not put on the lowest setting or if something is being hung up, whether its the shocks that aren't allowing it to drop or suspension is in a weird spot. drive it down a bumpy road to see if it settles. My front end was all jacked up, but eventually dropped to where it needed to be by driving it and getting the springs to sit correctly in the perches. I doubt leaf springs would cause this problem, but you never know

 

[xjsciortino]

Also what size tire are you running now and what is the measurement from the ground (or center of the wheel) from the front and rear. I can compare it to mine, but your front end could be pretty sagged out being a 30 year old truck if the front coils were never replaced