leaf spring lowering

[rennalds]

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

[bad6772]

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.......

[tommyd241]

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.

[rennalds]

Are blocks available for our trucks as well??

[tommyd241]

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.

[tasian]

if you flip the axle blocks would then lower the truck

[69gmc292]

I did a flip kit on my 69 and it lowered it about 8 inches in the rear.

[rennalds]

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/

[69moneypit]

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.

[exmonkeypunk]

What about removing rear leafs?

[chevy71c10]

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

[exmonkeypunk]

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?

[made2drag]

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.

[2ndstoryslam]

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.

[raycow]

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

[Jacfourteen]

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.

[scooterskoolkustoms]

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.

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by exmonkeypunk

What about removing rear leafs?

See below.

Originally Posted by Jacfourteen

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.

We just tried this method on my 67 GMC 1/2 ton short bed (The Toad) ,and it worked out pretty good, one coil was cut and four leafs were removed. The stance looks good,and ride is still decent believe it or not, I will post some pic's hopefully by Sunday evening

[KevsClassics]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

See below.



We just tried this method on my 67 GMC 1/2 ton short bed (The Toad) ,and it worked out pretty good, one coil was cut and four leafs were removed. The stance looks good,and ride is still decent believe it or not, I will post some pic's hopefully by Sunday evening

Man! I like doing that.

[BHyatt]

Originally Posted by scooterskoolkustoms

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.

Can you clarify what you mean by drilling a hole 1" forward? You say that you ordered perches then reused the old plate....What plate? If the new hole is in the perch does it interfere with the u-bolt?

Last question, What about shocks?

[chevyblazer]

yeah flip kit

[sanford66]

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

[dieselarmy13]

Originally Posted by sanford66

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

The leaf springs in 67-72's are 2.25in wide compared to 2.5 on 73 and up, so you have to get a specific flip. I got mine from Stylintrucks. It's been a while, but I think they are like 50 bucks.

[Jacfourteen]

Originally Posted by sanford66

I didn't think you could get 5-7 inches out of flipping the axle?

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.

[C/10 King]

Okay, Here are the pic's.......One old,and four new Tada.......