lowering 3/4 with leaf springs... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sinister · 06-26-2002, 08:20 PM

i wanna drop the A$$ end of my '72 3/4 ton c-20, leaf spring rear...
i was thinkin of maybe taking out the helper leaves, and throwing in some air shocks, cause i want to keep it a 3/4 ton truck...
basically i just want to lower the A$$ end but be able to jack it back up when i'm hauling crap, towing or whatever...
any one done this?

CoryM · 06-27-2002, 10:33 PM

You can use lowering shackles to drop it a few inches, then just move the bolt down a few holes to pick it back up for towing.
Other than that maybe some commercial duty airbags? 4" is a fair bit though.
Good Luck
CoryM

Sinister · 06-28-2002, 05:30 PM

do you mean drop shackles?
i was told i'd only get about a 2 inch drop
with them...

CoryM · 06-28-2002, 06:55 PM

Yup, 2" is as low as you can go (safely) with lowering shackles.
As for air shocks dont run them, the shocks are NOT meant to support and weight. Ever see a truck with the shock mounts ripped off? If you run air shocks you will. Maybe try seeing if your springs can be de-arched abit without ruining the towing capacity?

Sinister · 06-29-2002, 01:57 PM

even airshocks that are rated for a truck?

CoryM · 06-29-2002, 03:34 PM

The airshocks are probably tough enough. But your shock mounts sure arent. Factory shocks are not designed to take weight, thats why the mounts arent very strong. You start forcing the mounts to take weight and they will rip off.

JHickson6 · 06-29-2002, 05:25 PM

On other possibility would be air ride. It would allow you to lower the rear at the flick of a switch. When it comes time to haul the heavy loads you just have to pump up the pressure in the air bags. Check out www.ridetech.com and other similar companies.

JHickson6

Bill72BB · 06-30-2002, 12:42 AM

sinister;

FYI I removed the helper spring under my Leaf pack and it only dropped the rear about an inch . The thickness of the leaf.

Bill

Sinister · 07-01-2002, 07:02 PM

thanks y'all for all the input...
will try to figure something out...
i'm still puzzled about them shock mounts
being so fragile...

NSANE68!!! · 07-01-2002, 07:55 PM

Sinister------- Get you some 2" drop shackles, 2"drop springs (or just take out the helper +1) and get some 2500# air bags and brackets and run some 1/4"line to an air fitting by your bumper or something for towing. You'd be suprised bags aren't all that much more than air shocks, and my experience with air shocks SUCKS

Check out my sig and give me a holler. I can help.

Sinister · 07-05-2002, 07:58 PM

hey NSANE68, do those brackets on your site work with leaf spring as well?

NSANE68!!! · 07-05-2002, 09:11 PM

Sorry so long, have'nt checked the board in a while. Been REAL BUSY! I carry a universal type bracket that sits in top of the axle. They look like this. Let me know.

Sinister · 07-16-2002, 02:37 AM

what about an axle flip kit...
with airbags?

70 Jimmy · 07-16-2002, 05:19 AM

The flip itself will give you 5 or 6 inches I believe. Whatever the thickness of the axle is plus the leaf pack is what you will get.

Sinister · 07-16-2002, 11:00 PM

that's the kind of drop i need...
are there any downsides to lowering this way,
and do you know of any kits around?

my new 72 · 07-18-2002, 10:36 PM

I just got finished looking on the early classics web site, and the have 4 inch drop leafs for 269 I think it was. You can also buy 1.5" drop shackles to get the extra drop you want. Ive decided this is the way I am going, I don't wanna notch the frame, just sound like a bad idea to me.

Sinister · 07-19-2002, 05:06 PM

i've been thinking the same as of late...
i don't wanna flip the axle cause if the u-bolts snap i'd be SOL...
i think new leaf springs are the ticket, i'll hafta check out early classics...

Sinister · 07-21-2002, 09:16 PM

found drop shackles for $40...

http://www.performancesuspension.com/

hey, Bill72BB, is it fairly straight foward as far as taking out the helper leaf? any tips?
i figured i only need a 3" drop in the meantime to level it out...

conman · 07-25-2002, 07:20 AM

I took out 2 leafs per side on my 72 3/4 longhorn, and left the helper spring in. Reason was under no load the helpers don't touch anything and I get a softer ride but under a load they touch and start to pick up the extra weight. It works great. Also it dropped the back of my truck so it's level with the front. My next job would be to get drop shackles, but not until I drop the front.

06-26-2002, 08:20 PM	#1
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	lowering 3/4 with leaf springs... i wanna drop the A$$ end of my '72 3/4 ton c-20, leaf spring rear... i was thinkin of maybe taking out the helper leaves, and throwing in some air shocks, cause i want to keep it a 3/4 ton truck... basically i just want to lower the A$$ end but be able to jack it back up when i'm hauling crap, towing or whatever... any one done this? __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

06-27-2002, 10:33 PM	#2
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	You can use lowering shackles to drop it a few inches, then just move the bolt down a few holes to pick it back up for towing. Other than that maybe some commercial duty airbags? 4" is a fair bit though. Good Luck CoryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

06-28-2002, 05:30 PM	#3
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	do you mean drop shackles? i was told i'd only get about a 2 inch drop with them... __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

06-28-2002, 06:55 PM	#4
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	Yup, 2" is as low as you can go (safely) with lowering shackles. As for air shocks dont run them, the shocks are NOT meant to support and weight. Ever see a truck with the shock mounts ripped off? If you run air shocks you will. Maybe try seeing if your springs can be de-arched abit without ruining the towing capacity? __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

06-29-2002, 01:57 PM	#5
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	even airshocks that are rated for a truck? __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

06-29-2002, 03:34 PM	#6
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	The airshocks are probably tough enough. But your shock mounts sure arent. Factory shocks are not designed to take weight, thats why the mounts arent very strong. You start forcing the mounts to take weight and they will rip off. __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

06-29-2002, 05:25 PM	#7
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	On other possibility would be air ride. It would allow you to lower the rear at the flick of a switch. When it comes time to haul the heavy loads you just have to pump up the pressure in the air bags. Check out www.ridetech.com and other similar companies. JHickson6

06-30-2002, 12:42 AM	#8
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,979	sinister; FYI I removed the helper spring under my Leaf pack and it only dropped the rear about an inch . The thickness of the leaf. Bill __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

07-01-2002, 07:02 PM	#9
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	thanks y'all for all the input... will try to figure something out... i'm still puzzled about them shock mounts being so fragile... __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-01-2002, 07:55 PM	#10
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	Sinister------- Get you some 2" drop shackles, 2"drop springs (or just take out the helper +1) and get some 2500# air bags and brackets and run some 1/4"line to an air fitting by your bumper or something for towing. You'd be suprised bags aren't all that much more than air shocks, and my experience with air shocks SUCKS Check out my sig and give me a holler. I can help. __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

07-05-2002, 07:58 PM	#11
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	hey NSANE68, do those brackets on your site work with leaf spring as well? __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-05-2002, 09:11 PM	#12
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	Sorry so long, have'nt checked the board in a while. Been REAL BUSY! I carry a universal type bracket that sits in top of the axle. They look like this. Let me know. Attached Images __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

07-16-2002, 02:37 AM	#13
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	what about an axle flip kit... with airbags? __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-16-2002, 05:19 AM	#14
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	The flip itself will give you 5 or 6 inches I believe. Whatever the thickness of the axle is plus the leaf pack is what you will get. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

07-16-2002, 11:00 PM	#15
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	that's the kind of drop i need... are there any downsides to lowering this way, and do you know of any kits around? __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...



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07-18-2002, 10:36 PM	#16
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	I just got finished looking on the early classics web site, and the have 4 inch drop leafs for 269 I think it was. You can also buy 1.5" drop shackles to get the extra drop you want. Ive decided this is the way I am going, I don't wanna notch the frame, just sound like a bad idea to me. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

07-19-2002, 05:06 PM	#17
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	i've been thinking the same as of late... i don't wanna flip the axle cause if the u-bolts snap i'd be SOL... i think new leaf springs are the ticket, i'll hafta check out early classics... __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-21-2002, 09:16 PM	#18
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	found drop shackles for $40... http://www.performancesuspension.com/ hey, Bill72BB, is it fairly straight foward as far as taking out the helper leaf? any tips? i figured i only need a 3" drop in the meantime to level it out... __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-25-2002, 07:20 AM	#19
conman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Fayette, Alabama Posts: 155	I took out 2 leafs per side on my 72 3/4 longhorn, and left the helper spring in. Reason was under no load the helpers don't touch anything and I get a softer ride but under a load they touch and start to pick up the extra weight. It works great. Also it dropped the back of my truck so it's level with the front. My next job would be to get drop shackles, but not until I drop the front. __________________ Fayette Alabama

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