Front Suspension Lowering Options Drop Coils This is a common way to lower many trucks. Drop coils can provide 1-3 inch drop depending on the brand and size of coil you choose. Although coils are easy to install, the lower you go, the worse your spring rate will become, in most cases. The only drawback from using drop coils is the fact that it will cause a more harsh ride. Although it's not terrible, you will feel the difference.
Flipped Ball JointsOften performed on import trucks, this modification does not really flip the balljoints, it relocates them to the top of the control arms. The ball joiint flip doe not change your spring rate or torsion bar assemblies. This mod can be performed for nearly no cost. The only real items to buy are new Grade 8 of better hardware.
Cutting/Heating Coils This is the cheapest and most dangerous method of lowering a vehicle. Cutting and heating the coils to shorten can cause the coil to crack, break, or fall out of the suspension. It also decreases the spring rate and creates an unpredictable and harsh ride. Additionally you handling will be affected. This modification is not recommended.
Lowered Control Arms Lowered control arms provide drop without adding lowering springs or flipping ball joints. Lowered control arms raise the upper and lower ball joints to reposition the spindle and create the desired drop. This change in ball joint locations results in the wheel being mounted higher up from the stock position and usually helps retain the factory ride and handling capabilities. These modified arms come in the upper and lower variety.
Drop SpindlesDrop spindles work on the same principle as the lowered control arms, but instead of rraing the ball joint locations, the spindle is modified to mount the wheel higher up into the wheel well. Ball joint assemblies and control arms are not affected. This modification usually helps retain the factory ride and handling capabilities. A common and realively easy modification.
Note: Some of these options can be combined to produce more drastic drops. For instance a lowered spindle and drop springs to produce a lower stance, or even drop springs and lowered control arms. These two examples are the most common options. Before combining any of the above listed options check for clearance and safety first.
*** A front end alignment is absolutely necessary after all of these modifications.
Rear Suspension Lowering Options Lowering Blocks Lowering blocks are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to lower the rear of a truck. A block of metal is inserted between the leaf springs and the rear axle, causing the axle to be mounted higher in the fender well. This results in a lower stance. Steel blocks are recommended, how ever alumnium is available. Some blocks come with tapered tops to correct pinion angle, and are the best choice when searching for alowering block. You will need longer u bolts and you may also need to install lowered rear shocks, depending on the amount of drop performed. This modification helps to retain factory ride and handling capabilities.
Dropped Leaf Springs This method of drop is performed by installing a pair of dearched (flatter) leaf spring packs to result in a lower stance. This option often results in a more harsh ride, but can improve handling. Using this method may require you to install lowered rear shocks, depending on the amount of drop performed.
Leaf Spring Removal A cheap method to obtain drop is to simply remove springs from the leaf pack. This is accomplished by seperating the leaf pack and removing indiviual springs. The bottom flat leaf spring often is an over load spring and can the first to be removed with out afftecting the suspension greatly. Other springs will affect height as well as ride and load capacity. Select the springs you remove appropriately. Longer ones create more drop and reduces the load capacity more adversely. This modification will also reduce the vehicles cornering ability.
Class dismissed... Now go drop that truck or car! 
Fri Aug 23, 2013 9:41 am by nigel
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