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kacivic · 10-08-2008, 12:12 PM

ok, getting ready to start on my truck, want to go with about a 2/4 drop, but have some questions about both parts and practicality.

first off, the main purpose of this truck is to be able to haul my bike (~600 lbs max).

i've been thinking about dropping the front 2" w/ drop spindles, and the rear 3-4" using adjustable shackles, and doing drop shocks all around.

now a rear drop is practical for me b/c it makes it easier to get the bike in/out of the bed, but what's gonna happen to the ride? will shackles lower the hauling capacity of the truck? i'm specifically wanting to stay away from lowering springs for just this reason.

are there any better options for me than spindles/shackles?

showoff · 10-08-2008, 01:00 PM

i hear ya on this one. i have a 07 trx450er quad and when i had my truck lowered i had a 5/6 drop on it. i went cheap with the back and took leafs out and put blocks in . not good for hauling but still worked. the idea you got is a good one to go with so that you keep the same suspension you have but it's just at a lower stance.

87DakBuilder · 10-15-2008, 11:10 AM

To answer your question, no, shackles won't hurt the pay load capacity. You will be fine, you are just raising the leafs up a little. All of the strength is still there.

DRAGN94 · 10-15-2008, 04:31 PM

^^i agree

the leaf will still have the same payload. just i would recommend getting some good drop shocks so i will ride properly (kYb, edelbrock, toxic)

87DakBuilder · 10-15-2008, 08:11 PM

I second the shock statement....Thanks for the assist Dragn

kacivic · 10-22-2008, 12:03 PM

cool, good to know. now i guess i've just got to pull the front suspension apart and figure out what's wrong before i go buy drop spindles. once i'd had a chance to inspect it in the light i realized that the tires had been hitting the tops of the fenderwell, even though it looks like it's at stock height (i could be wrong there). i'm just hoping the guy didn't cut the springs...

kacivic · 11-10-2008, 03:18 PM

well, i'm still not sure what's going on, maybe i just had a spring collapse... the passenger side sits about 1-1.5" lower than the driver side.

now, i've got some drop shocks, but i'm only dropped with spindles, so i wasn't planning on putting the new shocks on unless i went lower.

i don't want to go more than 1" lower, but i've only found 2" lowering springs so far. would there be a problem with using the 2" lowering springs and a 1" spring spacer to get the 1" net drop?

DRAGN94 · 11-10-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacivic

well, i'm still not sure what's going on, maybe i just had a spring collapse... the passenger side sits about 1-1.5" lower than the driver side.

now, i've got some drop shocks, but i'm only dropped with spindles, so i wasn't planning on putting the new shocks on unless i went lower.

i don't want to go more than 1" lower, but i've only found 2" lowering springs so far. would there be a problem with using the 2" lowering springs and a 1" spring spacer to get the 1" net drop?

if you add a spring spacer it will ride like ass in the front..
also you most likely have spring sag which is typical of older vehicles, if you were to take out that spring it will probably retain its collapsed shape as to it no lower has any spring rate and the metal has fatigued.

kacivic · 11-10-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRAGN94

if you add a spring spacer it will ride like ass in the front..
also you most likely have spring sag which is typical of older vehicles, if you were to take out that spring it will probably retain its collapsed shape as to it no lower has any spring rate and the metal has fatigued.

why would it ride any worse with a spring spacer and drop springs than it would with just drop springs? sorry for all the questions, i've just never really messed with suspension stuff before...

DRAGN94 · 11-11-2008, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacivic

why would it ride any worse with a spring spacer and drop springs than it would with just drop springs? sorry for all the questions, i've just never really messed with suspension stuff before...

well for starters it mess's uop the engineered spring rate, making a stif ride. (it will ride like a brick in the front) also the springs need to sit in the spring pockets in the frame and lower control arm. the spacer will not allow the upper mount of the spring to seat properly within the pocket. you will wind up hearing a popping noise like the spring is moving around...which it is.

..this is just my views do what you want [im just speaking from previous experiences at the shops and building race cars]