First of all, McGaughy's is pronounced "McGoy's." Now that we've cleared that up, we can show you how easy and inexpensive it is to drop your custom classic truck. The best part is McGaughy's can refer readers to its authorized network of dealers and installation shops across the U.S. The shops can competently perform the transformation with McGaughy's awesome award-winning and patent-pending components. If you have the proper tools and know-how, you can accomplish the install in your garage.
CCT's Associate Publisher (AP) and Feature Editor (FE) visited McGaughy's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Fresno, California, this past June. Aforementioned AP John Barkley towed in his Texas ranch-fresh '75 Chevy pickup, which would serve as the subject of the 4.5-inch-front/6-inch-rear lowering and wheel and tire swap. When we pulled into the McGaughy's manufacturing campus, founders Mike and Susan McGaughy, as well as son Steve and daughter-in-law Michelle, greeted us. We quickly learned that McGaughy's is a family-owned and -operated business with emphases on engineering, prototyping, producing, and distributing top-notch suspension components for vintage and new cars and trucks.
McGaughy's is not an installation shop (see sidebar for McGaughy's history). However, they kindly agreed to show us how easy it is to install this kit. When you order a front and rear drop kit (or anything else, for that matter), they'll recommend an authorized McGaughy's dealer/installation shop. Despite having CCT's FE slowing them down by shooting photos and asking questions, they completed the work in less than five hours. Follow along and learn why many hot rod hauler hobbyists and automotive aficionados are going with McGaughy's Suspension Parts.
Like many great automotive aftermarket companies, enthusiasts founded McGaughy's. When Mike and Susan were building a '55 Chevy two-door sedan, they decided they'd like to install a 605 power-steering box for the car. Mike grew weary of trying to find one in a junkyard, so he made it. After producing one, word-of-mouth took over. First one buddy wanted a 605 box, and then another. In 1984, the McGaughys had a part-time burgeoning business. Sales tripled on those rare occasions Susan was around to answer the phone during the week, so in 1987 she quit her job and made McGaughy's her full-time profession. Then by 1990, the McGaughys had saved enough to enable Mike to leave his machinist job.
Today, three buildings comprise McGaughy's 15,000 square-foot manufacturing facility. In a nearby location, two more buildings, totaling 10,000 square feet, make up McGaughy's warehousing and distribution center. Because they do all engineering, design, prototyping, and manufacturing in-house, they can control every aspect of the manufacturing process, thereby optimizing quality control and component output. All applicable finished raw components are powdercoated. Five days a week, a collaborating powdercoating company delivers 1,000 finished components and picks up another 1,000 for applying the powdercoat.
When a hobbyist selects McGaughy's Suspension Parts, fit, finish, top quality, and high performance are assured. Talk about a perfect track record-McGaughy's patent-pending drop spindles have never had a product failure in their entire 20-plus-year history.
 Fresh from a ranch in Texas,...  Fresh from a ranch in Texas, John's '75 Chevy pickup awaited its transformation. Thanks to the purchase of some new front fenders and lower-cab corner replacement patch panels from Year One, as well as a respray of the truck's original paint color, the exterior is indeed fresh. |  In addition to two rear-axle...  In addition to two rear-axle bump stops (not shown), the 4.5-inch front/6-inch rear '73-87 Chevy 1/2-ton McGaughy's Drop Kit includes every item shown. Read on to find out how these precision-engineered and CNC'd all-American-made components go together. |  CCT's AP John Barkley procured...  CCT's AP John Barkley procured the beauteous steelie wheels, chrome beauty rings and lug nuts, and mini hubcaps from trusted manufacturer, Stockton Wheels. He selected an appealing orange hue for the perfect powdercoating. |