Front suspension, and OEM ride heights. (Long)

655.7Vortec · March 8, 2002

I have recently picked up a 65 Chevy Stepside truck. I think it has been lowered around 3in in front, and don't know how much in the back. I would like to lift it back up so its only about 1.5in lower than oem in front, and about 2in higher in the back. I actually have a few questions.

1)What is the oem measurment from the center of the hub to the fender lip on a 2wd 1965 chevy long bed step side? Front and Rear?

2) Front: I would like to replace the front springs with something kind of stiff, but not really a "Performance spring" and wondered if you all have had any expirience with them. I would be looking for a 1-2in lower than OEM spring... I think.Just tell me about what you have, spring rates, how they ride, and how you like them. Just give me all your reccomendations. Also, what kind of shocks would you reccomend? I would also like to add a sway bar to the front. What do you all think of that? I have seen a company online that sells a kit for it. Has anyone had expiriences with them?

3) Rear: It has the rear end, and leave springs out of a 1997 2500 Chevy truck. It has the overload springs removed, and Rear drop shackles. From what I have figured out.... that should be 3in lower (2.25 from shackles, and around 1in from the overload leaf.) But I do not know how the springs were mounted to the frame, etc, and how it would ride on an older truck so I don't know if the 3in measurment would be accurate. I am thinking out back, just get some OEM shackles to lift it back up about 2in. This should work right?

Also, What type of shocks would you reccomend for out back?

The truck right now is setup more of a lowrider, I would like to make it more functional (The rear only has about 3in of travel before it bottoms out, with a load it is even worse, and sometimes the tires rub. Up front it rubs a little, but not bad at all, and rides pretty nice.) Any reccomendations would be welcomed. Thanks, Tim

655.7Vortec · March 8, 2002

Pictures of the truck

Anyone have any ideas of how much it has been lowered? What do you think? Let me know, Tim

March 8, 2002

I used to have a '65 1/2 ton longbed. From what I remember and what little I can tell from your pics, yours seems pretty close to where mine sat. Mine was on original coil springs front and rear, so I imagine it had settled some. One easy way to lower and stiffen coil springs is to simply cut a little off. If you cut off 1/2 a coil, for example, you obviously lower the spring height by that amount. Something most people don't realize is that by doing that you have changed the rate of the spring because the overall length of metal that has to bend or give is now shorter. That makes it a little stiffer.

The good thing about GM coils is that there are literally hundreds of different spring rates and heights that will fit in those spring buckets.

Leaf springs are a little different. but by looking around in junkyards, you can find a bunch of different rates and lengths that you could combine to end up with what you're looking for. There is a lot of trial and error in both ends.

Shocks play a small role in ride height and a larger role in ride comfort/performance. In my opinion, you should figure out the height and stiffness with springs and then fine-tune it with shocks. If you try to make the shocks compensate for a spring rate that you don't like, you'll just use up a very expensive set of shocks.

Remember, shock absorbers are just what the name says, they are not designed to carry the weight of your vehicle, and neither are the shock mounts.

BTW, did you ever solve your transmission shifting problem? If so, what fixed it?

76BBSub · March 8, 2002

It does look a little low...

I would recommend that you call Eaton or another major OEM spring manufacturer. They can probably give you the specs on the stock springs, which would be an excellent starting point. They may also be able to tell you what they have off the shelf for replacement springs, in terms of ride height, spring rate, etc. I doubt the aftermarket has much for the older trucks, I have had difficulty finding a whole lot for my '76 Suburban, it's mostly newer stuff, although springs and lowering spindles are available, most of the airbag and other fancy stuff is just not as common as for late models.

I definitely vote for the swaybar. My Suburban had a small factory swaybar in the front, however, with so much weight on the rear a swaybar back there was definitely needed. I ordered a front/rear set from Helwig, and they went on pretty easily. The change in handling was enormous, no more rolling around corners dragging the mirrors, this thing handles like a new truck! For you truck, the majority of the weight is on the front end, so don't worry about a rear swaybar, or you can install a small one if you really want to, but a good front swaybar should be sufficient.

I have Monroe SUV gas shocks on my Sub. They are decent in price (~$35 each) and are a quick installation job. They also improved the handling, as well as the ride. I keep hearing really good things about the Edelbrock IAS shocks, but I don't know if they have developed one for your application yet. I had KYBs on my Corvette, good handling, terrible ride quality. Replaced them with Bilsteins, as good or better handling, and MUCH better ride, but they are more then double the price on the KYBs. The shocks are mainly for ride quality and handling and when properly selected have no effect on ride height.

Jeff