I'm looking into lowering my truck and was interested in people's opinions on the different methods and the effects on ride quality, handling performance, and possible issues.

Not looking to go drastically low, 3/4 inches maybe a little more depending on my final wheel/tire combo and how often I want to scrape the frame. Won't be running large diameter wheels either, overall diameter will be close to stock.

Here's what I've found so far

Front options:

2" spindles
3" DJM lower arms (part of streetacos lowering kit)
Ball Joint flip
Adjust torsion bars

Rear options:

3" drop leaf springs
1" to 5" blocks
removing leafs from stock pack

 

it all depends on how much you want to spend. cheap way would just be BJ flip, adjusting torsions for the front and drop blocks for the rear and maybe some drop shocks. but if you have a more money to play with i'd go with some spindles, maybe the lca's too and drop leafs for the rear. oh and some drop shocks. the ride would be way better with the more expensive way but like lots of things, you get what you pay for.

 

Does anyone know of any clearance issues with spindles or LCA's with 15x7 wheels?

Also, how do the rear lowering springs effect load capacity of the bed. I don't haul much, but every now and then I need my truck to be a truck.

 

So after much frustration and lots of searching, I've found a decent consensus that the DJM LCAs will fit my 85.

Last night I did some measuring around my truck and to get it down where I'd like it I'm going to have to get approximately 5 inches all around.

So looks like LCAs and spindles up front with torsions to fine tune and leaf springs and blocks in the back.

Anyone know of any drive line or other clearance issues I might have missed in my measuring with a drop this low?

Anyone have a good shock length for the rear when using the lowering leaf springs? They measure at 17" sitting on the truck at stock ride height.

 

Might wanna consider a c notch or a baby c if your going that low
And as far as hauling stuff I believe the drop leafs can hold a fair amount of weight compared to the oem pack with a leaf removed . But either way a notch will help with suspension travel

 

Yea, I think I measured 7 inches from axle to frame, so with 5 inches of drop that doesn't leave a lot of movement room. Any recommendations on where or who has a good notch kit?

 

Looks like I answered my own question. Found a weld in kit with bump stops from streetaco.

Anyone have info on shock length for the rear with lowered leaf springs?