4.5/6 drop kit install time?

[ProStreet83C10]

hey guys, tomorrow i PLAN to drop my c10, spring/spindles up front and a flip kit out back. what kind of a time frame am i looking at for completion.

[Mikec10]

If your truck is rusty, atleast 2-4 days, if its rust free, 1-2 days by days i mean 5-8 hours each.

[N2TRUX]

That depends on what tools you have available. With a well equipped shop, I can do it in a day. That said, expect to spend the weekend doing it.

[ProStreet83C10]

i had a buddy tell me 3-4 hrs??

[broey]

Originally Posted by ProStreet83C10

i had a buddy tell me 3-4 hrs??

If you can, you should take tons of pics and document the steps you take really well, I bet this could help a lot of other guys out there that plan on doing their own drops... like a step by step.

[ProStreet83C10]

ill do what i can for you guys

[bbbc10]

front took me like 3 hrs did rear in a whole day..

[ProStreet83C10]

ok, do i need any special tools for anything, does anything require welding and is there anything i need to know before i get started since McGaughys has very LIMITED instructions

[lolife99]

Don't try to break some kind of "speed record" doing your install.

Now is the time to inpsect all the associated parts.
Look at the ball joints and tie tod ends.
Check wheel bearings and brake hoses.
Do it right the first time.
Take your time, and fix anything else that is bad.
Clean up the greasy parts and throw on a coat of paint.
(paint your spindles ahead of time)

Rusty bolts will slow things down also.
(Start spraying the bolts and nuts down, a few days early, with a good penetrating oil, WD-40, PB-Blaster,... etc.)

[Mikec10]

Originally Posted by ProStreet83C10

ok, do i need any special tools for anything, does anything require welding and is there anything i need to know before i get started since McGaughys has very LIMITED instructions

if your swapping hangers, make sure you have a good air chisel so you can take out the rivets

[mooseknuckles]

...expect it to take the whole weekend, that way you should heve enough time for the unexpected!

[ProStreet83C10]

well the starter i bought has to be shimmed more before i can drive it anyway so i may just wait a weekend and do it at a shop

[ProStreet83C10]

however, on the flip kit, do the new hangers (things that attach to axle under truck) need to be welded to the axle tube? if not do you recc. a guy welds them for secure fit

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by ProStreet83C10

however, on the flip kit, do the new hangers (things that attach to axle under truck) need to be welded to the axle tube? if not do you recc. a guy welds them for secure fit

The flip kit "saddles" do not get welded.
No need to.

[ProStreet83C10]

ok well i was told by 2 people they NEEDED to be welded......what makes it so they dont need it? reasoni ask is because this will be a pro street truck with a big nasty motor in it and i DO NOT want anything moving on me as i do plan to drag race it....a lot

[lolife99]

The saddle is "sandwiched" between the original rearend leaf spring saddle,... and the leafspring.
The U-bolts will hold it in place.

[lolife99]

With a big nasty motor you're going to have more trouble with traction and leaf spring wrap than you are with these flip kit saddles.

[lilpoindexter]

The easiest way I found to get the rivets off was grinding an "x" on the head of the rivet, then chiseling it off with an air hammer.

[ProStreet83C10]

Ok guys. First setback. The front hanger bolt that holds the leaf spring in will NOT come out. It turns but won't budge out. Any help/advice on what to do?
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[lilpoindexter]

Did you tap on it with a drift slightly smaller than the bolt, with a bfh?

[ProStreet83C10]

Yes. We've tried everything available to us. Hammer/punch, bfh/punch, air impact with hammer. Were at a loss aside from cutting bolt.
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