Seeking the perfect 1964 c10 lowering kit is usually the first big action most of us take when we finally get one of these traditional Chevys in the drive. There's just something about the outlines of a '64 that looks "off" when it's seated on the factory height. In the day, these trucks were constructed to haul hay and lumber, therefore they came from the factory along with a stance that will looked like these were ready to hint over in a stiff breeze. Today, we want them low, mean, plus cruising smooth.
Getting that correct look isn't nearly cutting springs plus hoping for the best—though plenty associated with people have tried that with combined results. If you want a vehicle that actually manages well and doesn't rattle your tooth out every time a person hit a pebble, you've got to believe about the entire package.
Exactly why a 1964 C10 Lowering Kit Changes Everything
Let's be honest, the primary reason we do this is perfect for the aesthetics. The slammed or even moderately lowered '64 C10 just looks faster, more aggressive, and more "finished. " But beyond the particular cool factor, a well-engineered kit in fact makes the truck the lot more fun to drive.
By lowering the center of gravity, you're eliminating that boat-like body roll. When you take a corner in a share 1964 C10, it feels like the cab is trying to get away the chassis. The decent lowering kit firms things upward. Since 1964 was the second yr of the coil-spring front and rear suspension (getting rid of the old torsion bars from the particular early 60s), these types of trucks are actually a few of the easiest to reduce and obtain riding right.
Static Drops vs. Air Bags: Which Way Should A person Go?
This particular is the big fork in the particular road. Before you click "buy" on a kit, you need to decide how you're going to make use of the truck. Are you looking for a "set this and forget it" height, or do you want to be able in order to lay frame from a show and then pump it up to get more than a speed bump?
The Static Route
The static drop is definitely exactly what this sounds like. You pick a height—say, a new 4/6 drop (4 inches in the particular front, 6 inches in the rear)—and that's where the truck remains. This is usually the nearly all budget-friendly approach to take. Many 1964 c10 lowering kit options for static falls include new coil springs and drop spindles.
The advantage of a static drop is simplicity. You don't have in order to worry about air lines leaking, compressors burning out, or even finding a place to hide a tank. It's honest, it's mechanical, and it's classic. The downside? You have got to be a lot more careful about to drive. That a single steep driveway in the gas train station might become your own worst enemy.
Going Low along with Air
When you've got the budget, air luggage are the gold standard. You obtain the greatest of both sides: a low-profile look when parked and a comfortable, changeable ride height whenever driving. Modern air suspension kits for that '64 C10 came a long way. They aren't the particular bouncy, unreliable setups they was once twenty years ago.
However, a good air-ride 1964 c10 lowering kit is a very much bigger project. You're plumbing lines, mounting a tank plus compressor, and wiring up an administration system. It's a lot of function, but being capable to adjust your height on the particular fly is a game-changer for driveability.
Dealing with front side End: Spindles plus Coils
Whenever you're looking in the front of your own '64, you might have 2 main ways to get it closer to the particular asphalt: drop spindles and lowering suspension springs.
Most experts will inform you to start with drop spindles . A two. 5-inch drop spindle is a lifter's best friend mainly because it moves the particular wheel pin higher up on the spindle. This lessens the truck without having changing the suspension geometry or the particular travel of your own shocks. It keeps your steering angles correct and usually allows for a much easier alignment.
If you want to go lower than 2. 5 inches, you'll probably add lowering springs to those spindles. A common setup is definitely a 2-inch drop spring paired with all the 2. 5-inch spindle for an overall of 4. five inches of fall. Just remember, the lesser you go with springs alone, the particular stiffer the ride usually gets due to the fact you're losing suspension system travel.
Toning down the Rear: Trailing Arms and C-Notches
The 1964 C10 is famous for its trailing arm rear suspension system. Unlike the leaf springs found on most Fords or later trucks, the particular C10 uses 2 long arms that run from the middle of the particular truck back in order to the axle, along with coil springs sitting down on top. It's a great design with regard to ride quality, yet it presents several unique challenges when lowering.
When you drop the rear more than 4 inches, you run into a problem exactly where the axle casing gets uncomfortably near to the frame rail. This is where a C-notch comes into play. You'll have to cut a semi-circle out of the body and weld (or bolt) in a reinforcement plate to give the axle room to shift upward. If you neglect this, you'll end up being "bottoming out" on the frame continuously, which feels like being hit within the spine with a hammer.
Also, don't forget the monitor bar (or Panhard bar). As the pickup truck falls, the stock track bar will certainly pull the rear axle to one side. A good 1964 c10 lowering kit for the particular rear should consist of an adjustable monitor bar or a relocation bracket to maintain that will axle centered below the bed.
Don't Forget the particular Shocks
One particular of the greatest mistakes people make when installing the 1964 c10 lowering kit is definitely sticking with the stock-length shocks. It won't work. If you lower the truck 4 inches plus keep the stock shocks, they'll end up being almost completely compressed at ride height. You'll have absolutely no rebound, and the particular truck will pogo-stick throughout the highway.
You need "drop shocks" specifically valved regarding a lowered stance. They are shorter, so they function in their intended range even if the truck is slammed. Investing in a good set of nitrogen-charged shocks will be the difference between a truck you love to drive plus one you're scared to take on the freeway.
Measuring Twice, Trimming Once
Prior to you tear the truck apart, consider some baseline dimensions. Measure from the particular center of the wheel towards the best of the fender arch on just about all four corners. Old trucks hardly ever perfectly level—they frequently have the "Chevy Lean" exactly where the driver's side sits a small lower than the passenger side. Knowing your own starting place helps you troubleshoot issues later.
Also, believe about your tires and wheels. A 1964 c10 lowering kit might look excellent in writing, but if you're running wide tires with all the incorrect offset, you're going to spend your first drive listening to requirements of rubber rubbing against metal. Most guys find that a 5-inch backspacing on an 8-inch wide wheel is the "sweet spot" for lowered '64s, but every truck is a little different.
Final Thoughts on the particular Build
Modding a '64 C10 is a rite of passage for truck fans. Whether you're going for a mild drop to make it the better daily motorist or you're searching to put the rockers on the ground, the right 1964 c10 lowering kit is definitely the foundation associated with the whole task.
Take your time with the install, don't cheap out there on the shocks, and make be certain to get a professional alignment as soon as you're completed. These trucks possess so much personality, and once you get that stance called in, you'll find yourself taking the long way home every single single time you decide to go out for a drive. There's simply nothing quite such as cruising in the low-slung '64 Chevy.