Suspension Question

My next project for the 66 pick up is going to be a move to power disc brakes (I know, but my wife wants to drive the truck, and shes too tiny to stand on the manual brakes. Im just happy shes getting into cars and such) and lowering the truck all around. My question is how low can I go in the front without competely screwing my chances of getting the alignment back in order. I plan on using the 2.5 in dropped spindles, plus a lowering spring for the fronts, and then lowering springs for the back. I have to make sure that I dont lower the rear end too much, because I want to be able to tow.

The other question I have is in regards to rear end gear ratio. I have a 4.11:1 in there right now, I would like to keep the 3 speed, but I dont want to be screaming down the interstate at speed. What ratio would you guys recommend to still be able to move the truck under load (like towing) but still maintain a decent rpm at highway speeds? Thanks for looking, and I appreciate your input, Travis

 

If you can fit some taller rear tires, that'll give you more speed without having to change gears. I used to have a pickup with 4.11 gears in it and 33" tires. Never had problems hauling stuff, and I could cruise at around 70 mph (actual speed, not what the speedo says) without the rpms being too far up there. I had a 4 speed with a granny low though for hauling concrete up steep hills. If your engine has a lot of torque, you could probably swap to 3.83 or 3.50s.

 

i am of the higher the gear the better school. probably the flat land in az and the extreme speeds people here drive at. if you dont keep up with traffic some one is going around you on the right. you dont say anything about your engine or rear axle. if you only have one chance to get it right i would say 3.08. do you want to gear the truck for towing or every day driving you cant really do both with a 3 speed.

 

yup, rear gearing for towing depends on the engine, how much weight you tow, etc. I did ok with 3.08s in my 66 suburban with a 454, it wasn't so good with a tired 402 though. We have hills here in AZ, you don't have many in FL do you.

 

We have a '62 C-10, SBC 350, Turbo 350, and the original 3.90 gears.

Even running extremely tall tires in an attempt to get the rpms down dow not work. It just does not bring them down enough. Still running 3000-3100 rpm at 70 mph. Now this is what we used to run in the old days, but once you are used to overdrive transmissions, that just does seem right anymore.

After lots of personal experience growing up with Turbo 350 equipped cars (no overdrive) and having to deal with this truck now, I wouldn't go any lower than a 3.43 if you are planning on towing anything. Any lower and you won't like towing.

Better yet, go with an overdrive ****** (auto or std) and leave the 4.11 gears in there.

In any case, here is a great site to play with different ratios and tires:

http://www.csgnetwork.com/rearendgearcalc.html

Tony

 

One more thing. We just put CPP disc brake spindles (stock height) along with one of their power booster M/C combo.

Great improvement over the manual, stock drums. I grew up on manual drum front brakes (70 GTO), but these on the C-10 were just terrible. I really like the truck and even more with discs on it.

Tony

 

Hey thanks for the replies fellows, I do plan on towing up some hills ( Im from Bristol TN) but for the most part I will be towing my race car to the track on flat land. The engine we are doing will be a 250 L6 with a roots Supercharger, and Im working to make it do most of its work in the lower RPM range. I dont want to go V8, but I am on the look out for a 292 HD. If I can find one of those to do, I think I will be golden. Thanks again for the info, but how about lowering this som*****?