78GMC Project for Life - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BOOMERSOONERS · 01-21-2013, 10:14 PM

I'm pretty new here, but i've been doing my homework over the last year and decided on this 78 gmc shortwide as a project. Now from the crazy rides you all have done, which all are in a league of the own i decided on a Mcgaughys 4.5/6 for mine, which consisted of 2 1/2 spindles and 2inch springs and flip kit and cnotch out back with belltech drop shocks all around. Now i have the front finished and have moved to the rear. My only issue back here so far is that PO removed some leafs or maybe not. I dont know. I have 2 long leafs and then a short one on the bottom. I ve been looking like crazy. I understand that there was a 52 inch and a 56 but my question is how many leafs should i use on mine? Any help would be appreciated and pictures will be coming shortly. Thanks for any help.

Metalshapes · 01-21-2013, 10:50 PM

Welcome to the boards! I'm in okc not too far from you. My truck had 6 leafs and the overload after flip, Im running '67-'72 trailing arm now.

Rich84 · 01-22-2013, 09:40 AM

My 84 has 3 and the overload which resulted in about a 5" drop..If you have only 2 you won't get a 6" drop out of your flip kit.

king-918 · 01-22-2013, 11:34 AM

Since your in the city. If you need a set of leaf springs I will give you mine just pm me and come get them ASAP
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BOOMERSOONERS · 01-22-2013, 01:39 PM

Hell yeah. Thanks for the responses.
So if I'm understanding right here I need more leafs
For more drop. Man that sounds stupid when
I say it. That makes sense. So I ll probably go with 3 and the
Overload. What size are those leafs that you don't need?
I ll take em. I'm gonna measure mine and see and let u know.
And how many leafs are there. Thanks again guys.
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BOOMERSOONERS · 01-22-2013, 05:24 PM

Hey rich can u elaborate a little. Am I looking for more leafs for more drop. Is that how it's working?
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J Knight · 01-22-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOMERSOONERS

Hey rich can u elaborate a little. Am I looking for more leafs for more drop. Is that how it's working?
Posted via Mobile Device

No thats not how it works. If your truck had all the leafs in place before you installed the flip kit you would net a bigger drop. Adding leafs will slightly lift the truck with the flip kit installed or not.

Rich84 · 01-22-2013, 09:10 PM

No you don't need more springs unless you dont like the ride.
Do the flip you will be happy..
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BOOMERSOONERS · 01-22-2013, 10:29 PM

Ok this is what ive got. I found that mine are 56 inches and 2 1/2 wide. thats 26 center to front eye and 30 center to rear eye. With the responses and research it looks like mine is 56 which are only sold now with like 8 plus leafs. Thats fine but with what ive heard most are running like 4 or 3/1, which is 3 on top one on bottom. Well the 56 does not have that low of an option in leafs so now my brain is exploding.

J Knight · 01-22-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOMERSOONERS

Ok this is what ive got. I found that mine are 56 inches and 2 1/2 wide. thats 26 center to front eye and 30 center to rear eye. With the responses and research it looks like mine is 56 which are only sold now with like 8 plus leafs. Thats fine but with what ive heard most are running like 4 or 3/1, which is 3 on top one on bottom. Well the 56 does not have that low of an option in leafs so now my brain is exploding.

You can move the rear shackle hanger forward on the frame 4in and use the 52in springs with 3/1 leafs.

BOOMERSOONERS · 01-23-2013, 08:25 AM

Aren't those shackles riveted in place?
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king-918 · 01-23-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOMERSOONERS

Aren't those shackles riveted in place?
Posted via Mobile Device

Cut them off and bolt it back. And if you can come take mine today would be a huge plus. You the wife and all
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BOOMERSOONERS · 01-23-2013, 08:37 AM

Does anybody think the leafs that I have would be ok. Or should I replace.
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J Knight · 01-23-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOMERSOONERS

Does anybody think the leafs that I have would be ok. Or should I replace.
Posted via Mobile Device

If you are sitting too low after you install the flip kit you will need to add leafs or replace.

Rich84 · 01-23-2013, 05:06 PM

When I first did the flip it kinda freaked me out how low it was..So give it a chance. Now I look at it and think "maybe a little lower".

01-21-2013, 10:14 PM	#1
BOOMERSOONERS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest City Posts: 6	78GMC Project for Life I'm pretty new here, but i've been doing my homework over the last year and decided on this 78 gmc shortwide as a project. Now from the crazy rides you all have done, which all are in a league of the own i decided on a Mcgaughys 4.5/6 for mine, which consisted of 2 1/2 spindles and 2inch springs and flip kit and cnotch out back with belltech drop shocks all around. Now i have the front finished and have moved to the rear. My only issue back here so far is that PO removed some leafs or maybe not. I dont know. I have 2 long leafs and then a short one on the bottom. I ve been looking like crazy. I understand that there was a 52 inch and a 56 but my question is how many leafs should i use on mine? Any help would be appreciated and pictures will be coming shortly. Thanks for any help.

01-21-2013, 10:50 PM	#2
Metalshapes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posts: 114	Re: 78GMC Project for Life Welcome to the boards! I'm in okc not too far from you. My truck had 6 leafs and the overload after flip, Im running '67-'72 trailing arm now. __________________ Rally 'round the family....with a pocket full of shells.

01-22-2013, 09:40 AM	#3
Rich84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Woodbury, Ct. Posts: 1,692	Re: 78GMC Project for Life My 84 has 3 and the overload which resulted in about a 5" drop..If you have only 2 you won't get a 6" drop out of your flip kit.

01-22-2013, 11:34 AM	#4
king-918 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Oklahoma Posts: 1,056	Re: 78GMC Project for Life Since your in the city. If you need a set of leaf springs I will give you mine just pm me and come get them ASAP Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images __________________ <----Christopher My Tardis Oh yeah I'm really a Toyota guy, but had some stuff sitting around. Oklahoma

01-22-2013, 01:39 PM	#5
BOOMERSOONERS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest City Posts: 6	Re: 78GMC Project for Life Hell yeah. Thanks for the responses. So if I'm understanding right here I need more leafs For more drop. Man that sounds stupid when I say it. That makes sense. So I ll probably go with 3 and the Overload. What size are those leafs that you don't need? I ll take em. I'm gonna measure mine and see and let u know. And how many leafs are there. Thanks again guys. Posted via Mobile Device

01-22-2013, 05:24 PM	#6
BOOMERSOONERS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest City Posts: 6	Re: 78GMC Project for Life Hey rich can u elaborate a little. Am I looking for more leafs for more drop. Is that how it's working? Posted via Mobile Device

01-22-2013, 09:10 PM	#8
Rich84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Woodbury, Ct. Posts: 1,692	Re: 78GMC Project for Life No you don't need more springs unless you dont like the ride. Do the flip you will be happy.. Posted via Mobile Device

01-22-2013, 10:29 PM	#9
BOOMERSOONERS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest City Posts: 6	Re: 78GMC Project for Life Ok this is what ive got. I found that mine are 56 inches and 2 1/2 wide. thats 26 center to front eye and 30 center to rear eye. With the responses and research it looks like mine is 56 which are only sold now with like 8 plus leafs. Thats fine but with what ive heard most are running like 4 or 3/1, which is 3 on top one on bottom. Well the 56 does not have that low of an option in leafs so now my brain is exploding.

01-23-2013, 08:25 AM	#11
BOOMERSOONERS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest City Posts: 6	Re: 78GMC Project for Life Aren't those shackles riveted in place? Posted via Mobile Device

01-23-2013, 08:37 AM	#13
BOOMERSOONERS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest City Posts: 6	Re: 78GMC Project for Life Does anybody think the leafs that I have would be ok. Or should I replace. Posted via Mobile Device

01-23-2013, 05:06 PM	#15
Rich84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Woodbury, Ct. Posts: 1,692	Re: 78GMC Project for Life When I first did the flip it kinda freaked me out how low it was..So give it a chance. Now I look at it and think "maybe a little lower".

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