![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school
Posts: 767
|
Removing Leafs To Lower??
I was wondering how low can I get my truck if I remove a few leafs? I want like 4 or 5 in drop in the back so how many leafs should i take out and which ones? Thanks
HotRod
__________________
1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
|
I dont think you'll see a significant difference in height unless you take out so many leafs that the remaining spring won't sopport the truck,better to go with blocks and or hangers or rearched springs
__________________
71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
How many leafs do you have in the stack Hotrod?
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school
Posts: 767
|
I think I see 5 or 6 counting the big fat one on the bottom. Heres a pic mabe u can guess better. THanks
HotRod
__________________
1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
I would try to leave the top 4 inplace,but do agree with cdowns, that it propably wont drop you too much. You can also opt for a dropped shackle, & between the 2 mods you may get 3-4 " of drop(thats just a guess tho). When you lighten up the spring stack, I would reccomend going to a bolt on slapper bar(try summit or jegs for a truck traction bar). Good luck.....crazyL
![]()
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school
Posts: 767
|
What is a slapper bar and what does it do? Sorry never herd of it before.
HotRod
__________________
1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!!
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512
Posts: 10,770
|
You can get 4" by mounting your rear end on top of the springs and still retain the ride. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com
__________________
On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school
Posts: 767
|
WES - How do I do that and where can I get the part to do that? Thanks
HotRod
__________________
1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
By flipping the axle, youwill get more like 5 -6 " of drop......that was my experience on the longhorn anyway.....crazyL
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school
Posts: 767
|
where can I get the parts to flip my axle?
HotROd
__________________
1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
|
I lowered my truck by removing all but 3 leafs. I've even hauled a motorcycle in the back like that (I think the rubber bumper was hitting the frame on bumps though)
I also used 2.5" drop spindles. Not a real good picture, but... ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Blaine WA
Posts: 455
|
There was another member a couple weeks back who did the same thing. You might want to try searching for removing leafs or something like that
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
A slapper bar bolts to the leaf, to control wheel hop. ill try to find a pic..... http://store.summitracing.com/partde...57#largerimage
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Working on a Nova.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ##
Posts: 506
|
After asking the same question earlier this week I figured out that the flip is the cheapest way to go and I think they have the parts at american classics. The big thing is it will require you to do a little welding but nothing major. Also the drop will be between 5 and 6 inches. If you where looking at just drop spindels up front it won't be enough to get you level! You'll need to look into springs, but I would go to the springs after the spindels just to keep your truck riding good and remember,radical spring changes up front will screw with your camber. Another option I've seen out there are dropped leaf springs!!! Haven't heard how these effect the ride though! Something to think about with the flip is you might have to C-notch your frame! Some people have not done this and everything has been great for them Others say everything was not so great and they had to C-notch the frame. I think it probably has to do with the shocks and how worn are your Leaf springs!!
Off the soap box I go before I get thrown off!! ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
|
Removing the leaf springs was pretty cheap....$20 for new u-bolts (which I didn't NEED, but got any ways) I do plan on getting some traction bars, so maybe $50 total.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Layton,Ut
Posts: 196
|
are you flipping a 3/4 ton ? just a thought the axle tube might be a little bit bigger ? kinda like lifting a 1 ton with a dana 60 front end instead of a 44. tube sizes might play with you? a 1/2 ton 12 bolt versus a dana60 are the tubes the same? and you might need to notch it also?
i know when we flipped a 1 ton dually it went pretty low, lower than a half ton??(73-87 though)when i did my 2wd 1/2 ton 72 it went pretty low and had to add a leaf to get out of the notch 5 leafs plus 2 adds, then ended up getting new leafs made its still pretty low ..... something to think about?
__________________
'82 chev swb 4dr 2wd project '72 2wd blazer LT1/4L60E "SURFSIN" bagged 20's '71 2wd blazer '95 chev 2wd Xcab swb |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Working on a Nova.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ##
Posts: 506
|
baggedblaz,
Good point! It never occured to me to ask people what kind of rear end they where using. I'll have to look into that more! Here I was all ready to break out the plasma cutter just to avoid the possibility of having a problem ![]() Thanks |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
yes, that was a very good point! I did a flip on my longhorn, but am running a 12 bolt axle(smaller tubes than a Dana). I also have lightened the spring stack to 4 leafs , to give that 1/2 ton ride. After it was all bolted together, the spring hangers were moved DOWN on the frame 1 1/4" to raise the @ss end back UP.....it was too low! All finished, I figure right at a 5" drop, & with no C notch, I have only 2 3/4" clearance between the frame & axle tubes............crazyL
![]()
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
L.E.D. Freak
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Polson MT
Posts: 1,358
|
Why don't you just put 1/2ton style trailing arms under it? Its not expensive, and I'm almost positive that the trailing crossmember will go into a 3/4ton frame you just have to do some measuring a drilling holes. I was going to do it to a 4x4 blazer I converted to 2wd. And my cousin and I are going to do it to his 3/4ton when I get back to montana. I remember measuring and If I remember it'll fit. With leafs bags don't work as well, and trailing arms are better anyway for lowered trucks
__________________
Specializing in Custom L.E.D. inserts. http://www.ccled.com/ Contact me @ blazer2wd1972@hotmail.com (406)675-8082 or Joel @ jmcwaters@eps-corp.net 1972 2wd Blazer, 350/700R4/3:73 posi, err & Custom L.E.D. inserts! LOL |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Working on a Nova.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ##
Posts: 506
|
Reumster,
They do have load helper airbags for leaf springs and I thought about that and with the removal of some leafs to drop you down you could put these airbags in so you could still haul a load since only one leaf spring is really used to hold your axle in place and the rest of them are for handling wieght, personally I would leave at least two in! It might be workable but I've also heard of some problems with airbags in extreem cold. One guy had them on an S-10 and he was driving to work one morning and they blew out. extreem cold destroys the expansion qualities of the rubber used in airbags. Also when his blew out it dropped his frame to the ground and needless to say he had to get flat bedded home! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
L.E.D. Freak
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Polson MT
Posts: 1,358
|
If when his bags blew he had to get towed. He infact had his bag set-up wrong. You are suppost to set-up your suspension so with 0 psi you are on your bump stops and nothing drags. (rolls and turns with 0 psi) And he may have had cheap bags. Because you don't here of Semi/tractor trailers blowing bags in extreme cold. If it was a normal regular occurance they wouldn't use them. Bags are safe. And as far as lowered truck or any thing for that matter they are safer to have.
Trailing arms are the way to go bags or not.
__________________
Specializing in Custom L.E.D. inserts. http://www.ccled.com/ Contact me @ blazer2wd1972@hotmail.com (406)675-8082 or Joel @ jmcwaters@eps-corp.net 1972 2wd Blazer, 350/700R4/3:73 posi, err & Custom L.E.D. inserts! LOL |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Working on a Nova.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ##
Posts: 506
|
Reumster
Not going to argue with you I personally don't have any experience with air bags so all I can relate to is third party info. As for the trailing arms in general they are better for racing purposes, Heck look under Dale Earnhart jr.'s #8 and you'll see trailing arms. The big problem is if your truck has leaf springs you either have to find a donor truck to get the trailing arms off of or you have to buy a kit and most of the kits out there require welding and alignment. If you get your alignment wrong your have to cut a weld or something. For my experience level at this time I think that kind of project is a little to tricky and scary for me to tackle (Unless your willing to come over sometime and have the experience? ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
L.E.D. Freak
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Polson MT
Posts: 1,358
|
You could get the trailing arm x-member and trailing arms at any junk yard cheap. Aligning the crossmember wouldn't be hard at all. It would be a simple as measuring from a given point on the doner truck frame back to the rivet hole on the trailing x-member. And transfering the measurement to your truck. A good given point would be a bolt hole in the doner front x-member/or where the upper a-arm bolts up. As long as the doner was the same box length. Not really to hard. Thats what I did to the front of my 4x4 blazer I put a front 2wd crossmember in. Shouldn't be much different. Heck post another topic and ask if anyones done it. I bet someone has.
__________________
Specializing in Custom L.E.D. inserts. http://www.ccled.com/ Contact me @ blazer2wd1972@hotmail.com (406)675-8082 or Joel @ jmcwaters@eps-corp.net 1972 2wd Blazer, 350/700R4/3:73 posi, err & Custom L.E.D. inserts! LOL |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|