2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Well this weekend my Dad and I dropped the rear end of the truck 3" by putting in 2" drop shackles from Frank's Pick'em Ups, and removing the spring overloads on the springpack.

The diff is pretty greasy... this winter it will be yarded out of there and an Eaton Posi-traction unit with new gears will be installed. Maybe even disc brakes. :)

1. Removed the upper shackle bolt out of the old shackle.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...9&d=1278532011

2. New 2" drop shackle being held up for comparison.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...0&d=1278532011

3. Dad spraying lube on the shackle bolts.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...1&d=1278532011

4. New 2" drop shackle installed.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...2&d=1278532011

5. Impact wrench on the old U-bolts.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...3&d=1278532011

6. Same deal...

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...4&d=1278532062

7. After removing old U-bolts... 40 years have taken it's toll. The threads basically flaked off... since we were taking out a 1" overload spring, we needed the threads.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...5&d=1278532062

8. Clamping the springpack together to remove the center pin bolt.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...6&d=1278532461

9. More of same...

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...7&d=1278532461

10. Center pins were a little rusty too.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...8&d=1278532461

11. Also removed heavy duty coilover rear spring/shocks along with overloads.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...9&d=1278532461

12. Went in to Tacoma, WA to Right Way Spring Co, and had a set of new shackle bolts custom made. Since nobody stocks them in a auto parts store. Also got new pins for the leaf packs.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...0&d=1278532461

13. There is a little plastic "anti squeak" pad that goes between the axle pearch and the leaf pack.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...1&d=1278532533

14. Installing new pins in leaf packs (minus the overloads).

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...2&d=1278532533

15. new center pin installed.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...3&d=1278532941

16. tightening the new center pin.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...4&d=1278532941

17. New U-bolts setting in place.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...5&d=1278532941

18. Installing lower axle clamp and nuts on u-bolts. You can see new $25 dollar parts store Monroe shocks hanging from upper mount.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...6&d=1278532941

19. Cutting off excess bolt thread on the pins with a sawzall.

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...7&d=1278532941

20. Rear end snugged up and new shocks installed...

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...8&d=1278532995

21. New stance... 3" lower in rear... left front stock until the rear settles, and then will lower front later...

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...9&d=1278532995

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...0&d=1278532995

Here is a few shots of my '72 GMC and my dad's '70 Chevy. The ET slots that are on my truck were originally on my dad's with adapters since his truck is 6 lug. It was cool to get them from him and polish them up and install them on my truck. He bought his '70 in 1974. :metal:

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...1&d=1278533124

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...2&d=1278533124

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...3&d=1278533124

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...4&d=1278533124

http://www.masterblasterhome.com/att...5&d=1278533124

Gary

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

love it man!

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Nice work, your truck looks great and great step-by-step shots, thanks for sharing. Don't dump those spare parts........

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Thanks you guys... :)

I've still got the stock shackles and overloads. But those coilovers were shot. Those went to the scrap yard.

Gary

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

You held on to the stuff that matters for sure. Forgot to mention that your dads truck looks good too. What are your plans for the front suspension?

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

The front is still just a hair lower than the rear. It rides completely different now. More better for sure. So I will prolly do a 1" to the front. But don't know if that will rake it too much.

Eventually, I will get 3" drop springs in the rear for a total of 5", then do a 2 1/2" drop spindle in the front.

Gary

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

looks great! both of them!!

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Thanks again you guys... :)

Gary

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Nice trucks! I love those slots.:metal:

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Looks good!!:ito:

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Found it Gary.....

Do you have any troubles with the leaves hitting the bed or making loud noise? Do you have contact info for Franks?

Smitty

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

nice trucks :metal:

Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend
 

Sorry, I know this is an old thread but it is exactly what I was looking for.

Anyhow, the pics are no longer showing and was wondering if you still had them.

Thanks
Hazen