Just bought 68 GMC Pickup

[asesapie]

New to the forum and just bought a 68 GMC pickup. Got it for a fair price as it is extremely straight with rust only in the outer rockers and cab supports. Was a 327 originally but looking up the motor it comes up as a GM crate 350 from 77-79. So the motor was replaced for some reason. It has the turbo 400 auto. My plan is to rock it as it is aside from fixing the dent in the bed, some motor work and lowering it.

So for lowering it being that it has the leaf springs in the rear what is the most inexpensive safe method to get it down? I have a heavy background in air cooled VW's, so the truck is new to me. I am figuring drop spindles with new springs up front will do it, but I am stumped on the rear. Any insight is appreciated.

[asesapie]

And the interior

[54blackhornet]

Love your 68 but the mirrors have to go !
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[SuperC10Tex]

Congrats!! Welcome to the 4-eye club!!!

[asesapie]

Thanks guys. I had a 69 longbed stepside chevy truck in high school but you know the story I sold it and regret it. Glad to have this truck though. So I know someone out there has lowered a half ton GMC. What's the best (inexpensive) method to lower the rear with leaf springs? I want it to be safe but not cost an arm and a leg. Hoping to go 4" down
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[Lees68GMC]

Really Nice truck, Great Find! Don't worry, eventually you'll get past all the guys that want to argue, You DON"T HAVE LEAF SPRINGS, these trucks all have Coils. I did about a 2-1/2" front 9spindles) 5" in back drop, no "C" notch needed, leaf spring rear, fabbed new rear spring hangers, removed 3 leafs KYB Monomax shocks all around, addco sway bar up front works great. Heres pix with two different sets of wheels. Again, Great Find! ENJOY

[asesapie]

So I'm back at it with the truck. I need a Witing diagram that is "four eye" GMC specific with factory AC. Anyone know of one on here? I also fixed the dent with a football, stuck it up inside the bed and pumped it up till it popped out.

[asesapie]

Also why would my gauge cluster lights not work but head lights work fine and turn signal indicators work fine as well? What can I check?

[Lees68GMC]

I simply bought the Dual headlights LMC upgrade for new generation halogen headlights for $28.00 it comes with relays and everything pre-wired, made plug and play to use old school headlight plug ins to the Old OEM truck harness. I installed the new headlights that use halogen bulbs in fixture housings. I cut all the old plug ends off and hard wired everything into a whole truck harness I found on Ebay for $170.00 bucks. End result completely rewired old truck. Also your original motor was a 307 V8. I've included some pictures of how to lower the rear with leaf springs on the cheap. We pulled 3 leafs out, bought new plates and u-bolts to clear frame and built new shackles and relocated shock mounts.

[cypressbog]

Here's a diagram

[71swb4x4]

How about some pictures of the VW?

And here is an axle flip for you: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577529

[Syndrome]

Nice tailgate. I can't seem to find any decent ones around my area. My GMC tailgate is a bit hammered.

[Already Gone]

Nice truck. I think you can use lowering blocks with your leaf springs to lower your truck safely.
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[71swb4x4]

Greg, blocks will lift his truck the leafs sit on top of the axle tubes in stock form.
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[ole dollor]

welcome to the forum, I sure like your truck...like the color ..

[JointTech]

isnt that a 70's grill?

[etindoll]

Great looking truck. From what I have seen in my research for dropping the rear a flip kit is the most cost effective. I tried to use a set of 2" lowering shackles on mine and they hit the bed floor before they are bolted in the rear spring hanger.

[asesapie]

It's been a while since I've been on here but I've been working on my wife's 66 mustang. Well I'm wanting to get back on the truck soon.

I'm wanting to air bag it so I can drive it lowered yet still lift it a bit to haul something if needed. What is a good air bag kit for the truck? I'm not familiar with air bags in regards to brands or if there are kits out there that come complete and ready to install.

Anyone here have a 68 GMC with air bags?

[asesapie]

changed my mind on the air bag idea. I'm going to just static lower it with drop spindles and lowering springs. Nothing crazy low but just too look better. I have found several kits but they are a bit out of budget.

I'll have to post up a want ad in the classifieds to see if I can find something used in decent shape.

[michael bustamante]

yup flip the rear.

[Raider Rudy]

Nice truck! It's very similar to the 68 GMC 1/2 ton I picked up last week!

[Husker]

Very nice truck

[68shortwide]

Almost 10 years and 5 posts......huh. I like it. There's a GMC shortie around here my dads thinkin of buying as a shop truck.

[michael bustamante]

Originally Posted by 68shortwide

Almost 10 years and 5 posts......huh. I like it. There's a GMC shortie around here my dads thinkin of buying as a shop truck.

he`s a lurker.... hahahaha

[Dentguy]

Post up a better pic of the dent. I'd like to see how bad it is. Might be a paintless fix and you can still rock the stock paint. And hello from another Wa guy!!!!