Lowering kit is lower than expected... issues!!

plckidd · Mar 31, 2021

After installing the 4.5/6 McGaughys kit and running 20x8.5 (4.75 BS) with 255/45/20 tires there is a ton of rubbing issues. I think this kit lowered the front of the truck about 5.5” instead of 4.5”. Is it possible I may have done something wrong? Really frustrating....

I don’t who’s truck the top pic is, but that the one I was modeling my build off of. His post said he had a 5/7 western chasis kit with the same wheels/tires I have and absolutely no rubbing. My truck is the lower picture with the 4.5/6 Mcgaughys kit. I think I need to add a 1” spring instead of the 2” springs currently installed. Anyone have suggestions?

You must be registered for see images attach

80BrownK10 · Mar 31, 2021

I don't know anything much about making low riders.

But looking at the pictures do you have bad mounts, or a bent frame or is it just the picture? The truck looks like it's trying to fold in half. Front of bed looks lower?

SirRobyn0 · Apr 1, 2021

80BrownK10 said:
I don't know anything much about making low riders.

But looking at the pictures do you have bad mounts, or a bent frame or is it just the picture? The truck looks like it's trying to fold in half. Front of bed looks lower?

I don't know about lowering either, but I think that might just be his picture. If you look at his front wheels vs the front wheels of the other truck his front is definitely lower. I can't help much beyond that though.

plckidd · Apr 1, 2021

80BrownK10 said:
I don't know anything much about making low riders.

But looking at the pictures do you have bad mounts, or a bent frame or is it just the picture? The truck looks like it's trying to fold in half. Front of bed looks lower?

Yeah that’s the picture making it look that way. I believe the issue is that the McGaughys front 2” springs are actually lowering the truck 3-3.5” instead of 2” as designed too.

Big Chip · Apr 1, 2021

Is it possible you somehow got 3" spindles instead of 2"? The easiest way to raise it is longer springs at this point. I like your truck's drop more but that's just a personal thing. Mild Slosh Tubz are an option if you wanted to keep it that low but they are pricey.

80BrownK10 · Apr 1, 2021

SirRobyn0 said:
I don't know about lowering either, but I think that might just be his picture. If you look at his front wheels vs the front wheels of the other truck his front is definitely lower. I can't help much beyond that though.

Yea I see that, I'm just saying the middle of the truck looks like it's sagging, like those people who constantly haul 6000 pounds in their half ton.

Catbox · Apr 1, 2021

80BrownK10 said:
Yea I see that, I'm just saying the middle of the truck looks like it's sagging, like those people who constantly haul 6000 pounds in their half ton.

I think it just the angle of the photo making it look bent.

Salty Crusty · Apr 2, 2021

You now have exactly the look that we were after in the 70's and 80's, a sight forward rake.

plckidd · Apr 2, 2021

Big Chip said:
Is it possible you somehow got 3" spindles instead of 2"? The easiest way to raise it is longer springs at this point. I like your truck's drop more but that's just a personal thing. Mild Slosh Tubz are an option if you wanted to keep it that low but they are pricey.

I’ve heard Mcgaughys springs are weaker than others causing them to compress more. I love the stance. Honestly, I hate to pay money to drop it and then raise lol. Those tubs would certainly do the trick. I’m going to do some fabrication to get the setup to work.

plckidd · Apr 2, 2021

Salty Crusty said:
You now have exactly the look that we were after in the 70's and 80's, a sight forward rake.

Minus air shocks and the mullet!! Lol. I am a product of the 70’s and 80’s. I definitely wanted the rake just didn’t expect that much. It’s growing on me!

OldBlueDually · Apr 2, 2021

Beautiful truck! I too also like that rake, I would personally leave it and modify the inner fender wells for your issue. However, you have to be happy with it so if you want to raise that front a bit for the look you want, do it!

No matter what you decide, that truck is awesome!

Salty Crusty · Apr 3, 2021

plckidd said:
Minus air shocks and the mullet!! Lol. I am a product of the 70’s and 80’s. I definitely wanted the rake just didn’t expect that much. It’s growing on me!

What the hell's wrong with air shocks or mullets?
Young folks nowadays want to shave the sides of their heads and have an explosion of unruly **** on top. I don't understand it any more than they understand my mullet.
And in the right situations, air shocks are OK. Not the best usually, but OK.

Big Chip · Apr 3, 2021

Salty Crusty said:
What the hell's wrong with air shocks or mullets?
Young folks nowadays want to shave the sides of their heads and have an explosion of unruly **** on top. I don't understand it any more than they understand my mullet.
And in the right situations, air shocks are OK. Not the best usually, but OK.

I googled Salty Crusty and this popped up. I couldn't find any info on your air shock usage though.

You must be registered for see images attach

Salty Crusty · Apr 3, 2021

Couldn't grow a beard on a bet, face whiskers are thin and sparse with spots of completely bare skin.
Poor guy ****** up a good mullet but I guess it'll grow back...

Turbo4whl · Apr 3, 2021

plckidd said:
I’ve heard Mcgaughys springs are weaker than others causing them to compress more. I love the stance. Honestly, I hate to pay money to drop it and then raise lol. Those tubs would certainly do the trick. I’m going to do some fabrication to get the setup to work.

There are two things I did to fix the rubbing problem on my '82. I first removed any screws in the inner fenders that pointed down and replaced them with pan head bolts facing up. Then I installed air bags inside the front springs.

Surprisingly it does not require very many pounds of air pressure to keep the tires from rubbing. You don't need an onboard air compressor, adjust the pressure as needed, replace the plastic schrader valve cap with a metal cap with a sealing gasket.

Lowering kit is lower than expected... issues!!

plckidd

Full Access Member

80BrownK10

Full Access Member

SirRobyn0

Full Access Member

plckidd

Full Access Member

Big Chip

Full Access Member

80BrownK10

Full Access Member

Catbox

Full Access Member

Salty Crusty

Full Access Member

plckidd

Full Access Member

plckidd

Full Access Member

OldBlueDually

Full Access Member

Salty Crusty

Full Access Member

Big Chip

Full Access Member

Salty Crusty

Full Access Member

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Forum statistics