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The weekend lowering project #795124
09/07/10 12:24 AM
09/07/10 12:24 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer Offline OP
super stock
adventurer  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
I thought I would share my weekend project with everyone. I recently bought an 85 d150 swd 2wd to fix up for my daughter. Well we decided to lower it using some of the tricks learned here. Using drop shackles and flipping the spring hangers in the rear and van LCA in front. I tought I would post this and it might help some one else along the way.
For starters here what it looked like before I started lowering it, I also took measurments to be able to check progress along the way.

First step in the lowering were a set of chevy 2" drop shackles.

Note the differnce in the orignal shackle and new ones.

The old shackle at the bushing end is 1/2" and the new one is 5/8" so I came up with the plan that the old shackle has a metal sleeve that is 1/2 i.d. and 5/8 o.d. so I took a 1/8 drill bit and drilled all around the rubber to get the sleeve out of the old one. A torch would have been easier by just burning the rubber out but I don't have torches at the house. The new shackle the bushing is about 3/8" to wide so with the sawzall I cut 3/16 off each side of the rubber bushing and slid the metal sleeve from the old shackle and it worked like a charm. Hope you can see this in the picture.

So here is what the truck looked like after the shackles being installed.

This dropped the truck at the center of the rear wheel openings 1 3/4" and at the rear bumper 2 1/4"
Next step was the spring hanger flip at the front of the rear springs. After much chisling with the air chisel, here is the hanger removed and the center lines drawn for the new holes.

here are the hangers installed upside down. note the little bolt sticking throught the frame in front of the hanger this is the clamp bolt for the fuel lines. You can see the origianl hole for that bolt about an inch to an inch and a half below where I drilled and tapped the new hole moving the lines up so that will not be rubbing against the bolts in the hangers. Also did the same thing for the brake lines on the drivers side but moved it down to clear.

And here is the rear of the truck all lowered.

This lowered the truck in the rear at the center of the wheel openings a total of between both processes 3 1/2" and at the rear bumper 5".
Next it was on to the front, Using van LCA. I had a hard time tring to figure out exactly at where to drill the new holes for the strut rod bolts. The distance from the ball joint was no problem but how to determine where center was for the two holes. So i finally decided to find center of the pivot bushing run a center line to the ball joint and use that to measure exactly where the two holes needed to be. Maybe I'm over thinking all this but that strut rod postion I think is critical to control caster of the alignment. So here is a picture of the control arms.

On the left is the original in the center is the modified LCA note the ground of bump stop as well. On the right is what the van LCA looks like before you start. ON installing the LCA it's pretty straight forward unbolt & bolt. Have to drill the LCA pivot bolt mounting hole from 5/8" to 3/4". Also as putting back together make sure the spring is properly seated in its seats. When I did the first one, I got the truck together and set it down to only get 1/2" drop. I looked and said well this is disappointing along with other choice words. I had the upper part of the spring in off center and it was holding the truck up. So I jacked the truck up and with a crowbar and a big bang popped the spring back in place. set it back down and then it looked right.
And finally here is the picture of the finished drop. I'm sorry for the poor quality of this picture I will take a better one tomorrow and add it to this post.

So the final vedict on the drop, here are the numbers at the centers of the front wheel opening it is 3" at the rear its 3 1/2" at the bumpers starting with the front it droped 3" at the rear it ended up at 3 3/4".
As far as cost
$45 hangers
$40 LCA
$50 lower ball joints (optional)
$34 Front shocks (optional)
$20 3/4" drill bit to drill LCA pivot bolt hole
Free all my labor
$189 total
I think it really helped the look of the truck. This week the truck gets an alignment and tires and wheels. Also as soon as the new bushing kit comes in this week I've got a front swaybar setup from the junkyard that I'm installing.

Last edited by adventurer; 09/07/10 07:33 AM.

77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: adventurer] #795125
09/07/10 02:27 AM
09/07/10 02:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,431
SK,Canada
gregsrt Offline
top fuel
gregsrt  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,431
SK,Canada
Looks awesome. I love the old Ram's.


An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting or a vestry. Thomas Jefferson
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: adventurer] #795126
09/07/10 07:56 AM
09/07/10 07:56 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,947
Greenville, PA
redraptor Offline
master
redraptor  Offline
master

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,947
Greenville, PA
Nice work! Great documentation! That should help explain exactly how to get er done.

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: redraptor] #795127
09/07/10 08:52 AM
09/07/10 08:52 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 252
New York
J
jagrunt551 Offline
enthusiast
jagrunt551  Offline
enthusiast
J

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 252
New York
That really looks great!! You did a great job explaining each step. Can't wait to see the new wheels. Looks like your daughter is going to have a fine ride.

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: jagrunt551] #795128
09/07/10 09:01 AM
09/07/10 09:01 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
S
scratchnfotraction Offline
I Live Here
scratchnfotraction  Offline
I Live Here
S

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida




best write up on in yet

must hit the save button for this one

all the boys are gonna when she rolls up

your gonna need a bigger stick to beat them back now for sure

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: scratchnfotraction] #795129
09/07/10 09:24 AM
09/07/10 09:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 738
TN
'84 D150 Shorty Offline
Pickup Man
'84 D150 Shorty  Offline
Pickup Man

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 738
TN
Great post, glad to see someone else do it right before I do mine! Thanks for pointing out all the quirks! That makes it easier to plan ahead! truck looks pimpin'

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: scratchnfotraction] #795130
09/07/10 09:38 AM
09/07/10 09:38 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,366
Lehigh Acres, Florida
rickstershemi Offline
master
rickstershemi  Offline
master

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,366
Lehigh Acres, Florida
Clean looking truck Larry....Lucky Daughter

One thing more to do is: remove the factory Alignment Cam Adjuster Stop Plates so you can get more adjustment....ours needed the xtra range to get back to the factory alignment specs

Rickster

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: rickstershemi] #795131
09/07/10 12:30 PM
09/07/10 12:30 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920
Joplin, MO USA
Robbins Offline
master
Robbins  Offline
master

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920
Joplin, MO USA
Killer....looks good.


Moparlee
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: Robbins] #795132
09/07/10 07:59 PM
09/07/10 07:59 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer Offline OP
super stock
adventurer  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
Thanks for all the kind comments guys, I promised better pictures of the finished drop. One that did not have the shadow on the truck. Here are a couple



77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: rickstershemi] #795133
09/07/10 08:03 PM
09/07/10 08:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer Offline OP
super stock
adventurer  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
Quote:

Clean looking truck Larry....Lucky Daughter

One thing more to do is: remove the factory Alignment Cam Adjuster Stop Plates so you can get more adjustment....ours needed the xtra range to get back to the factory alignment specs

Rickster



Rickster thanks for the advice. I really don't know what plates you are talking about could you please explain more and maybe a picture. The only plates I see are the one that the cam pushes against to adjust. Is that the one you are refering to?
Thanks
Larry


77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: adventurer] #795134
09/07/10 09:11 PM
09/07/10 09:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,064
Iowa
76dodgeboy Offline
master
76dodgeboy  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,064
Iowa
Looks good. You running 225 or 235 for tires

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: adventurer] #795135
09/07/10 10:12 PM
09/07/10 10:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,688
Alexandria,La.
B
BigTerry Offline
master
BigTerry  Offline
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B

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,688
Alexandria,La.
any tire rub? I like to do that to my 99 Ram

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: BigTerry] #795136
09/07/10 10:50 PM
09/07/10 10:50 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,653
Near Reading PA USA
pinkduster Offline
master
pinkduster  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,653
Near Reading PA USA
Looks good! I'd love to find a nice clean truck like that to do something similar. I'd ditch the rear bumper and get one of those fiberglas rear pans. I'd also change to a 89/90 grille and a 70s front bumper.

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: pinkduster] #795137
09/07/10 11:49 PM
09/07/10 11:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,682
Clinton Twp. Michigan
coronet1966d Offline
master
coronet1966d  Offline
master

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,682
Clinton Twp. Michigan
yep, i gotta do the hanger flip and get a set of those arms


Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: adventurer] #795138
09/07/10 11:52 PM
09/07/10 11:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,833
Ontario Canada
Webster Offline
master
Webster  Offline
master

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,833
Ontario Canada
Looks Good Larry......As someone said, you have a Lucky Daughter

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: 76dodgeboy] #795139
09/08/10 12:03 AM
09/08/10 12:03 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer Offline OP
super stock
adventurer  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
Quote:

Looks good. You running 225 or 235 for tires



On the truck now is 235/75-15 will soon be 235/70-15 front and 255/70-15 rear.


77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: BigTerry] #795140
09/08/10 12:04 AM
09/08/10 12:04 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer Offline OP
super stock
adventurer  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
Quote:

any tire rub? I like to do that to my 99 Ram



No none at all.


77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: pinkduster] #795141
09/08/10 12:06 AM
09/08/10 12:06 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
adventurer Offline OP
super stock
adventurer  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,093
It's beer:30 somewhere
Quote:

Looks good! I'd love to find a nice clean truck like that to do something similar. I'd ditch the rear bumper and get one of those fiberglas rear pans. I'd also change to a 89/90 grille and a 70s front bumper.



I've been kind of thinking the same thing on the bumpers and grill. Just not completely decided what to do there yet. Thanks


77 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd SWB
78 Dodge Adventurer SE 440 2wd Utiline
90 Dodge D150 SWB 2wd 318fi 4speed
60 Desoto Adventurer 2dr
67 Dodge Dart Gt Conv. 273 4bbl
04 PT Cruiser GT Turbo
14 Ram R/T
"Life's to short to drink cheap beer."
Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: adventurer] #795142
09/08/10 12:22 AM
09/08/10 12:22 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 107
north carolina
T
tyler_mccoy85 Offline
member
tyler_mccoy85  Offline
member
T

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 107
north carolina
you made the drop look easy. This gives me some hope on doing my 72. Looks great. Love how you explained everything out as you went along.

Re: The weekend lowering project [Re: adventurer] #795143
09/08/10 12:29 AM
09/08/10 12:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 614
Id
M
mopeman Offline
mopar
mopeman  Offline
mopar
M

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 614
Id
Nice job, looks great..plan on doing the same to my '85. Where did you get the drop shackles?


Mopar or no car
MoPar=Massivly Over Powered And Respected!

'93 W250 Ram
'68 Charger
'67 Coronet 500 my steet/strip rod-now a 6BBL!
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