![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: vacaville california
Posts: 109
|
leaf spring lowering
Lots of talk here about lowering using coil springs, but I was wondering what are the best options as far as price/ride to lower a 71 cheyenne with leaf springs in the rear
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Official Site Guitar Shredder
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 3,955
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
A Flip kit is a option......This kit allows or adapts the axle to set on top of the springs....If my memory serves me they are good for 5 to 7 inches...And another option is rear hangers....I am not 100%.But I think they are good for 2 or 3 inches.And there maybe a possibility that you have to notch your bed when both are used......More will chime in and give you a better answer.......
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 505
Posts: 447
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
You have flip kits(5"), lowered leaf springs(2-5"), and shackles(1-2"). You might also have hangers available for your 71 but I haven't seen any for my 68' with the 2.25" leaf springs. I plan on going with a flip kit and maybe a 1" shackle when it comes time to lower my rear end.
__________________
'68 SWB Fleetside '98 K1500 Silverado |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: vacaville california
Posts: 109
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Are blocks available for our trucks as well??
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 505
Posts: 447
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
I could be wrong, but I believe blocks are only for the rear coil spring guys or if you want to raise a truck with leaf springs.
__________________
'68 SWB Fleetside '98 K1500 Silverado |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: hangtown, ca
Posts: 244
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
if you flip the axle blocks would then lower the truck
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: tucson
Posts: 71
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
I did a flip kit on my 69 and it lowered it about 8 inches in the rear.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: vacaville california
Posts: 109
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
damn inches we were aiming for some where in between 4-6 on my sons truck. Are there different ranges to choose from or do you just order one and hope for the best lol??? This one from summit say 4-5" anyone had any experience with it? Thanks for all the input?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MMC-63167/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Divorced .....WITH KIDS
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: mississippi
Posts: 619
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
I had a spring shop to dearch my leafs in a press. Itdropped it around four inches. The ride wasnt bad and it only cost like 200 or 250 if i remember correctly. That was the cost with them removing and installing.
__________________
1969 GMC SWB 1975 Chevy Malibu 80k 1963 Ford Galaxie 63k (inherited) 2005 Nissan Armada (wife's idea) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Barrito Loco Diablo
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Cherry Valley, Illinois
Posts: 636
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
What about removing rear leafs?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Posts: 228
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
I bought a new set of 4" drop leafs. The springs are 40 years old and I didn't want one side sagging after getting it all together. Cost was about $400.00. Came with new bushings also. I'm under the impression that if you drop 5" or more the frame should be C-notched and will require a modified carrier bearing brace.
Justin
__________________
Justin 71' C10 SWB 00' Dakota R/T 05' Z-71 Silverado 16' Z-71 Silverado Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=376904 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Barrito Loco Diablo
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Cherry Valley, Illinois
Posts: 636
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
for my budget, 400 bucks is a bit much to put into buying new rear leafs. Could i just use new shackles and remove a leaf to get roughly a 4" drop?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: alabama
Posts: 2,079
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
exmonkeypunk. you can get 2 out of shackles but removing one leaf will only give you about 1/2 inch. i got 3" when took all out except the main and 2 middle ones. make sure you keep the short flat one also. the ride was decent.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: anamosa iowa
Posts: 60
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Remove the bed, drill out the rivet's holding the spring perch's. Both end's. Mark/straight edge up how much drop you desire. Re-drill new mount hole's or tack weld in place. Put box back on, have the wheel/tire combo you will be running on truck as well. Like? Good! Remove box, finish the job bolting/weling leave's in place. Wire wheel and sand all metal. top w/ several coat's of semi-gloss black (my Fav!) and reassemble.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 2,454
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
If you can weld, or know someone who can, a flip will probably give you the most bang for the buck. You don't really have to buy anything. All you do is cut off the stock spring pads and re-weld them on the bottom of the axle housing. Even if you have to pay a shop for the welding, it might still be the best deal.
Ray |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Big Red - Now its a SWB!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oroville, Ca
Posts: 1,624
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Here is how I got 4" out of my rear springs, and it cost me $10. I then cut the fronts to get 3" for free. keep in mind mine is a 3/4 ton though.
__________________
68 3/4 ton ![]() ![]() 41 3/4 ton ![]() 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's Last edited by Jacfourteen; 06-04-2010 at 06:24 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: so cal
Posts: 436
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
If you have leaf springs a flip is the way to go.I went to speedway motors and bought new perches @ 12.99 pair 545-85090,and new u bolts @3.99 each 910-43801.I drilled a hole 1" forward on the perches and reused the old plate with a new hole 1" forward.dropped the burb 7" in the rear.under $30.00 plus $10. shipping.
__________________
big old burb in primer.lot of work to do. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: A****er, CA
Posts: 5,594
|
![]()
See below.
Quote:
__________________
C/10 Rene 1966 Short Fleet "The Hag" 1967 CST Short Fleet "Dark Poly" 1971 Short Fleet 1970 Jimmy Custom 2 WD "Golden Ticket" 1972 Blazer 2 WD "Retro Blaze" |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
TILT COLUMN GURU
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FRESNO CA
Posts: 4,276
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Quote:
![]() Man! I like doing that. ![]()
__________________
kevs_classics64 64 Impala SS Conv 72 Blazer 2wd 75 Jimmy 2wd 63 Belair wagon 02 Silverado ext cab. DD RIP EL JAY Last edited by KevsClassics; 06-05-2010 at 02:15 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Castle, IN
Posts: 199
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Quote:
Last question, What about shocks? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: tijuana b.c.
Posts: 221
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
yeah flip kit
__________________
cucharitas customs |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Everest Ks
Posts: 749
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Interesting thread! My 68 longbed is sitting on a 72 1/2 ton frame. I'm also wanting to lower mine. The rear sits way to high for me. I didn't think you could get 5-7 inches out of flipping the axle? I know there is a lot of lowering kits out there for 73-87 trucks, will any of these work on a 72?? Or are the 73-87 springs different in length and width? I want to lower mine as cheaply as possible. Joseph
__________________
1970 Chevelle Nomad station wagon 1966 C-10 lwb,250-six,granny 4speed ![]() ![]() 1966 C-10 lwb,factory A/C,Custom Cab ![]() 1954 Delray 2-door sedan [rat rod project]
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 | |
Phone's ringin Dude.
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,426
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Quote:
__________________
![]() ![]() 2003 SILVERADO SS--THE NEW GIRL 1972 GMC--THE OLD GIRL |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Big Red - Now its a SWB!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oroville, Ca
Posts: 1,624
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
The amount of drop you get is the thickness of the axle tube plus the thickness of the spring pack. So if the axle tube is 3" and the spring pack is 3" then the drop you get is 6". So depending on the number of leaves you have it may be a little more or a little less.
__________________
68 3/4 ton ![]() ![]() 41 3/4 ton ![]() 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's Last edited by Jacfourteen; 06-05-2010 at 11:51 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: A****er, CA
Posts: 5,594
|
Re: leaf spring lowering
Okay, Here are the pic's.......One old,and four new
![]() ![]()
__________________
C/10 Rene 1966 Short Fleet "The Hag" 1967 CST Short Fleet "Dark Poly" 1971 Short Fleet 1970 Jimmy Custom 2 WD "Golden Ticket" 1972 Blazer 2 WD "Retro Blaze" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|