Rear flip kit?
 

I ask earlier how is the best way to lower a 71 gmc with leaf springs and Stllookn said something about a rear flip kit. What is a rear flip kit? And where can you get it?

DJM (through Godfathers customs) has the the least expensive kit the last time I checked. The flip kit should be about $70. It will give you all the brackets and mounts to move your rear axle from under the springs to on top of the springs. This will lower the rear of your truck about 5 inches. This is "usually" a very straight forward project. Now knowing that those axle mount "u-bolts" have probably not had a wrench on them since it was built. You may need a can of "Bustem" and some heat to get them off. I have broken sockets trying to loosen those nuts. No matter what you do to your suspension it is going to take "Bustem" and a little sweat...LOL!

leaf springs
 

Thanks Stllookn, do you have a address of godfathers custom, I could not fine it. Also 5" sounds like a lot, I have 18" wheels on it will this cause a problem?

http://www.godfathercustoms.com/

Should be plenty of room. Take a tape measure and check out your wheel wells before you proceed just to make sure.

Early Classic makes 4'' drop leaves and a 1.5'' drop shackle for leaf spring trucks.

But not for $70. I want to do the same 5" drop and have considered the plus' and minus'. The flip kit seems to be the most economical but you still have the 30+ year old springs. The drop springs would be nice but the additional $$$ could be used for something else. I plan on using the flip kit and taking the leaf springs and shackles apart cleaning and lubing them them and reinistalling them. I believe you can get teflon strips to put in between the leaf but I don't know if it is necessary. I plan on using a 3M pad and polishing the contact areas of each leaf. This should allow the the leafs to move easier. I am sure the shackles are not loose so I will remove, clean, lube, paint and reinstall them. I am not sure what lube to use for the bushings and springs. I don't want to use something that will attract and hold dirt.

I flipped my longhorn.....she runs stock leafs, with the flat overload & 3 tossed off the bottom of the stack. The 12 bolt diff came from a 75 C-10 donor, & the pads needed to be replaced. I went direct connection (chrysler) pads, set the pinion angle & welded them on.After the drop, the spring hangers were moved down on the frame just a tad(1 1/4"), to bring things good front to rear. The front is a 1 coil cut drop (about 3"),'75 1/2 ton spindles & the body is dropped 1 1/2"(lots of work, but nothing makes sparks on the pavement :) ) best of luck, :crazy: L

Not that I'm an expert at doing this, but we did it alittle different.

1. We took the rear end and springs out and apart.
2. Took our 30 year old springs to the spring shop to get reconditioned.
3. Grind off old perches on bottom on axel tube.
4. Bought Moroso Spring Perches $16 at local speed shop.
5. And will be welding them on after we get the ride height set.
6. Bought new U-Bolts (Don't want truck hanging from 30 year old bolts)
7. Bought new shackles, originals were rusted up.
8. Cut the frame and welded in 6in dia. steel pipe for a c-notch

We havent figured out lower shock mounts but will be most likely building them ourselves.

We have pictures if anyone wants to see them.

Dry graphite might work instead of lube for the axel bolts.

Too bad you are not closer. I got a 1989 drum rear end that already has the mounts flipped, the springs and shackles that I need to get rid of. I think the shackles are the lowered type but not sure.

You can buy simple axle saddles at any trailer supply house. Here, we have stores called Tractor Supply that sell them damn cheap. All they are is a saddle for 3 inch tube.

Does it matter what the spring width is?

I put a 73-87 flip on mine. It was pretty straight forward but I did have to trim the axle mounts just a little...corn