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11-04-2015, 11:24 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: OKLAHOMA CITY
Posts: 29
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Removing leafs to lower
So I'm wanting to lower my 71 C10 equipped with rear leaf springs. I was planning on taking out the bottom overload spring which is probably never utilized as this truck is just for cruising in. Upon inspection I found that the second leaf from the bottom (of five leafs total) is broken in half at the u bolt and half is gone/missing for who know how long now. So now I'm thinking about taking out the overload/bottom leaf and what's left of the second leaf from the bottom which leaves me with 3 leafs total on each side. Not sure what to expect on lowering or driveability.
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11-05-2015, 09:17 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,722
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
So, let's think about this. With 5 leaves and an overload one broke. So going to three and no overload would be a good idea?! Uh, No, not from where I'm sitting.
Removing the overload itself won't cause problems, but removing any of the main leafs is a bad idea. I know others do it, but it's not a good idea as the spring pack is designed to work with all the leaves. A mono-leaf spring is a different animal from a multi. Since your spring is broken, going to lowering leafs makes the most sense IMO. I did an axle flip on my '69 and that lowered it 7" in the rear. If that's how low you want to go, you can pull it off with stock springs. I did remove the overload on mine but that has no effect on height when you move the housing to the top of the springs, but it was hitting the Cal-Trac bars so had to come off. Replacement leafs and removing the overload along with 1 1/2" shackle is cheapest way to get it down 2 1/2" or so. The DJM flip cheapest way to get it down more than that. But the drop springs gvie you more latitude on how much drop.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
11-05-2015, 10:04 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: OKLAHOMA CITY
Posts: 29
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
Basically been on 3 1/2 leafs for a while it looks like.
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11-05-2015, 10:16 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,722
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
Since you want to lower it, and you have a broken spring, I still think best thing to do is bust out the MasterCard and order the appropriate drop spring for your target. Again, I like doing business with Early Classic Enterprises. Look forward to pictures of your lowered truck.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
11-05-2015, 11:51 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 818
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
Just get a trailing arm set-up and go to coils.
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..................... ____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1970 C20 -_--_--_- ______ _--_--_- /___|__\____ -_--_-_ |_(0)|__|_(0)] 1972 K5 |
11-05-2015, 08:03 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Redondo Beach California
Posts: 146
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
I have 2in DJM drop hangers and I removed the overload and the next leaf, I got roughly a 4in drop and I put air shocks in back. And its fine but I'm now considering putting them back and do a 6in drop flip kit and c-notch because I want to lower it more.
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11-05-2015, 08:21 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: OKLAHOMA CITY
Posts: 29
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
I DO want to do it all correctly but sometimes my budget won't allow that. So yours rides okay. Good to know. I have lowering shackles I'm going to add when I remove the two lower leafs. 4 inches is the drop Im hoping for. How did you drop your front end. I like the stance of yours.
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11-05-2015, 08:25 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
I would not trust those old springs to keep it up
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11-05-2015, 08:29 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Redondo Beach California
Posts: 146
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
I cut 1 whole coil and half of one. which gave me a 3in, drop. Someone on the forum had a formula like: cutting one coil gave you 2in. And half was 1in.
I wish they made drop spindles for drums but looks like I'm going to convert to disc.
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343 NEVER FORGET 9-11 FIGHT ON!!! GO USC!!! PROUD OWNER OF A 1970 1/2 TON |
11-05-2015, 11:29 PM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: OKLAHOMA CITY
Posts: 29
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
I'll be saving up for mono leaf springs but for the time being I think this is going to happen.
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08-25-2017, 09:11 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Anderson, Texas
Posts: 296
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Re: Removing leafs to lower
I have a 68 GMC short bed step side that I have removed the overload and one leaf and added a 2" lower shackle, it still has 3 leafs, been like this for about a year and have had absolutely no problems with it. It lowered the rear around 3".
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