How To Lower 65 Chevy Truck

I purchased my 65 chevy truck on ebay. It's a full long bed. Because of the length, it needed to be dropped in my opinion. I was first a little hesitant to start the project myself, or pay someone. After purchasing the lowering kit on ebay, i decided to take on the project myself. It's not a bad project to get into for a weekend. It's going to take a good 4-6 hours to complete. I'm pleased with the outcome.

Below is a basic list of tools needed. With the right tools, you can accomplish this project by yourself.

1. Two basic jack stands
2. Hydraulic Floor jack
3. A can of pentrating oil for the rusted old bolts
4. Impact wrench (Just in case for those old rusted bolts)
5. US Standard socket set and wrenches
6. Coil spring compressor (might need outside and inside version)
7. Chain or rope used for safety to hold down the springs in case they fly out.
8. Air compressor for the impact wrench

After doing a lot of research, my main concern became safety. I had no idea what the coil springs would do, and how to prepare for any bad situation that could occur. Basically, I prepared for the worst. Coil springs have great deal of compression. Please be CAREFUL when removing and installing them. Coil springs can produce enough force to create and cause very serious damage and personal injury if not removed carefully.

There are many sources for the springs and shocks needed. I purchased mine as a kit from ebay. Everything needed was on one kit. It made it much better, knowing I was getting all the parts needed in one order.

1. New coil springs
2. New shocks
3. New nuts and bolts for coil spring brackets, track bar and shocks

1. Lift the front of your truck with the floor jack. Place the 2 jack stands under frame, supporting front of truck and remove the floor jack.
2. Remove Tires an place them out of the way.
3. Using a spring compressor is recommended. however, I had a hard time finding one to fit the front springs. So, I just secured the spring to the truck with a chain for safety. I did not want the spring flying out and causing damage or injury.
4. Starting on one side of truck. Support Lower control arm with a floor jack.
5. Loosen and remove the 2 u-bolts from the front of the control arm.
You DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE FROM BALL JOINT. (Mark the location of the U-bolts, so you when re-installing, you line everything back up.
6. Loosen and remove the shock (replace shocks also).
7. Once the shock and u-bolts are removed, let the floor jack down SLOWLY. The control arm will drop and the coil spring will come right out.
8. Install the new coil spring by reversing the installation process.
9. Install the new shock also.

1. Jack the rear of the truck up. I placed the floor jack under the rear-end. Make sure you add some tire stops, so that the truck does not roll any. Safety First!
2. Once the rear tires got about 3-6 inches off the ground, I placed jack stands under the frame of the truck and than removed the wheels. Place the wheels out of the way. Always keep your work area safe.
3. I than removed both shocks. The shock removal is pretty basic. I started with the bottom bolt first.
4. Now, remove the track bar. I had a little difficulty on the track bar, due to rust.
5. Time for the springs. I worked on one side first. I used the coil spring compressor to compress and secure the coil spring. Make sure you secure the coil spring with the rope or chain to the truck, so that it doesn't take off on you.
6. Using an impact wrench, I removed the lower bolt holding the coil spring lower bracket.
7. I lowered the floor jack very slowly, dropping the rear lower control arm. Watching the other coil spring to make sure it stayed in place. (I scured it also with a chain, and did not remove any brackets)
8. You have to remove the upper bracket, holding the coil spring. I used a 3/4 wrench on the nut that's in the frame, and a 3/4 socket on the bolt head. (because of age and rust, the bolt broke off)
9. Once the upper bracket is off, the coil spring will drop out. Remove the spring compressor slowly, and that's about it.

Before you start this project, I would suggest ordering new bolts for the coil spring brackets, track bar and shocks.
After over 40 years of dirt and grime, the nuts and bolts are pretty rough. While I was removing the top nut and bolt, holding the coil spring top bracket, I actually broke the bolt with so much pressure trying to loosen it.
*Note: The new bolts I ordered for shocks and the lower spring were too large. I ended up using the old bolts. The upper bolt for the clamp, that I broke, the new one worked out good.

*I actually enjoyed this project. Everything seemed to work out. I did spend a little more time grinding a piece of metal out of the way in the rear. I think it was part of a home made hitch bracket or something. The project is really not that bad. I dropped my 1965 Chevy Truck 4" in the rear and 3" in the front.