Creating a good obs chevy 4 6 drop is probably the particular most widely used way to transform these 1988–1998 trucks from workhorses into something which actually looks mean upon the street. There's just something about the way an Old Body Style Chevy sits whenever you take four ins out of the front and six out of the back. It will get rid of that massive factory rake where the rear sits way higher than the nasal area, and it places the center of gravity right exactly where it needs to be. If you're sick and tired of looking at that will huge gap in between your tires plus the fenders, this is actually the setup that most guys end upward choosing.
Precisely why the 4/6 Drop is the Special Spot
When you begin looking at reducing kits, you'll see all kinds of combinations. You've got your mild 2/4 drops and your extreme 5/7 or bagged setups. But the 4/6 is widely regarded the "goldilocks" area for a static drop. It's reduced enough to look like a custom build, but it's not so low that you're continuously stressed about every single pebble in the particular road.
The particular main reason individuals go with a 6-inch drop in the rear when just doing 4 within the front is simple: leveling. From the particular factory, these vehicles were built in order to haul stuff, so the back was way higher in order to account for fat in the bed. In case you dropped the front and back the same amount, you'd still have that "stinkbug" look. The particular 4/6 combo levels the truck out there perfectly, creating the sleek, flat account that just appears right.
How to Get the particular 4-Inch Drop in the Front
To get all those four inches out from the front, you've generally got two main paths. You may do it the "right" way, or even the cheap method. If you would like my advice, don't cut your suspension springs. It ruins the ride quality and makes the pickup truck bounce like the pogo stick.
Most guys go with a combination of 2-inch drop spindles and 2-inch drop spring suspensions . This is actually the best way to do it because the spindles keep your suspension system geometry closer in order to stock. Since the particular spindle moves the particular wheel mounting stage upward without transforming where the control arms sit, your alignment stays a lot more manageable. When you pair those along with a set associated with 2-inch lowering spring suspensions, you receive that full 4-inch tuck.
Some people try in order to do the whole 4 inches with just springs, yet I wouldn't suggest it. Your lower control arms will be angled way as well much, and you'll find it almost impossible to get the camber back into spec. Plus, the ride gets incredibly rigid because you're shedding so much suspension system travel.
Dealing with the 6-Inch Back Drop
The back of the vehicle is a whole different beast. Since you're going down six inches, a simple lowering shackle or leaf spring hanger isn't going in order to cut it. In order to get that low, you're almost certainly taking a look at a flip kit .
A flip package basically moves the particular rear axle through underneath the leaf springs to on top of them. This "flips" the mounting placement and gives you about five or even six inches associated with drop immediately. It's quite a straightforward bolt-on process, but it changes things under the truck significantly.
Why You Need a C-Notch
If you're doing an obs chevy 4 6 drop , you are unable to skip the C-notch. I've seen guys try to operate a 6-inch rear drop without notching the frame, and they will regret it the particular first time these people hit a pothole.
If you drop the rear six inches, the axle sits extremely close to the frame railroad. Without a C-notch—which will be basically a reinforcement piece that requires you to cut a semi-circle out associated with the frame—the axle will slam in to the frame every time the suspension compresses. It's loud, it's violent, and it'll eventually damage your own truck (and your back). Installing the notch gives the axle the measurement it requires to traveling upward, keeping the ride smooth.
Choosing the Best Shocks
You can't just maintain your stock shocks when you reduce a truck this much. They'll become completely compressed in ride height, meaning they have absolutely no room to perform their job. You'll feel every single crack in the sidewalk.
You need specialised drop shocks created for a 4/6 setup. Brands such as Belltech or Fox make shocks particularly valved for reduced trucks. They're smaller, so they work within their intended variety even though the truck will be lower. If you're on a spending budget, you can sometimes use shock extenders or even relocators in the particular rear to help with the angle, yet getting a devoted group of drop shock absorbers could be the single best thing that can be done for ride quality.
Wheels, Tires, and Rubbing
One of the biggest questions people have is: "What wheels can I run with the obs chevy 4 6 drop? "
If you're sticking with the particular classic 15-inch 454 SS wheels or some old-school rallies, you usually won't have much problems provided that the car tire isn't too balloon-like. However, most people nowadays are shifting toward 20-inch or even 22-inch wheels.
For the 20-inch wheel, a common car tire size is something like a 245/45R20 or a 275/40R20. You have got to be cautious with the size as well as the offset (backspacing). If the wheels stay out beyond the boundary, they're going to catch the fender lips every time you turn or hit a bump. A person might have to roll your fender lips to get that extra little bit of clearance, especially in the front where the tires require room to swing throughout a turn.
The truth of Regular Driving a Reduced OBS
Let's talk about what it's actually like to drive a truck with an obs chevy 4 6 drop . It's not going to feel as if a Cadillac, however it shouldn't feel like a dump truck either. If you did the spindles plus springs combo plus installed a good set of shocks, it'll feel cool and planted.
You'll observe that the truck doesn't lean nearly just as much in the corners. Seems more like a heavy vehicle than a top-heavy truck. However, you do need to change how you drive. You can't simply fly over rate bumps or pull into steep pavements at 20 with anymore. You'll find out "diagonal approach" true quick to prevent scraping your front air dam or even your crossmember.
Also, keep an eye on your headers or wear out. On these Chevy trucks, sometimes the exhaust hangs lower than the body. When you drop it four ins in the front side, that exhaust tube suddenly becomes the lowest point of the truck. I've seen more as opposed to the way one guy scrape a hole within his headers as they didn't tuck the exhaust up increased after lowering it.
Is it a DIY Work?
If you have a good tools, a floor jack, and several sturdy jack stands, you can definitely do that in your driveway over the weekend. The front is mainly just unbolting the suspension system, swapping the spindles and springs, and putting it in return collectively. You'll need a heavy duty torque wrench plus maybe a basketball joint separator.
The rear is definitely a bit more involved because associated with the C-notch. You'll need a way to cut the frame—usually the reciprocating saw or a plasma cutter—and you'll need to drill holes for the notch bolts. It's a little intimidating to cut in to the frame of your truck for the particular first time, nevertheless as long as you measure two times and follow the particular instructions, it's the very common modification that won't compromise the truck's ethics.
Just remember that once you're done, the initial location you should generate is to a good alignment shop. Your toe and camber is going to be all more than the place, plus if you drive on it intended for too long, you'll chew through a brand-new group of wheels in a matter of weeks.
Final Thoughts
The obs chevy 4 6 drop is the classic for the reason. It provides these trucks the actual stance they should have had from the stock. It's low, it's level, and it makes the entire body lines of the 88-98 Chevy look incredible. Whether you're creating a clean every day driver or a weekend show truck, this setup offers the best stability of looks, performance, and usability. It requires a little bit of work and some careful part choice, but once you see your truck sitting that low regarding the first period, you'll know it was worth the particular effort.