Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70GMCer · 10-20-2007, 06:44 AM

I'm trying to determine which way to go on lowering my GMC which has a leaf rear. I even thought of changing to a coil rear, but thinking that would be extreme. Anyway, what would be the best way to do this. I really don't want to get into any welding. I want to come down to around a 4" drop. Any pictures of a leaf rear lowered would help.

bad6772 · 10-20-2007, 07:48 AM

hey 70 i dont have a pic for you but i do have some input.....i HAD lowered rear leaf springs and they was awfull... it did set the truck down about 4 or so inches but i had terrible axle wrap and it rode like crap..... i soon switched them out for a flip kit.....i gained a few inches but it rides just fine.....i also didnt have to do a c notch. now im not shure how if it would hit with a load because i never use my truck as a truck.. but there is not axle wrap or wheel hop.... i run a mild small block..(ZZ3) ...IMO i would run a flip kit.....it was easy to instahl...about an hour and a half..and 8 years and no problems....hope this may help.......tony

**Boog** · 10-20-2007, 07:59 AM

ECE sells lowered leaf springs and shackles. May be others.

xmitsu10 · 10-20-2007, 09:28 AM

Here's mine with lowered leaf springs (4" spring and 1" shackle = 5" total drop). It does ride hard on bumps only, but that could be my shocks.

**special-K** · 10-20-2007, 11:32 AM

There are mounts made to lower springs on frames off `73-ups.Should work on pre-`73s.

Spray-Bomb · 10-20-2007, 09:30 PM

If they make lift shackles, then you could flip it & put lift shackles on if you didn't want it as low as the flip alone

70GMCer · 10-21-2007, 10:16 AM

What about those aluminum lowering blocks I see? I want to keep the same ride comfort. Are those blocks safe?

**Boog** · 10-21-2007, 10:31 AM

Those are for use on a coil spring rear.

70GMCer · 10-21-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Those are for use on a coil spring rear.

I've also seen them for leafs...............

**Boog** · 10-21-2007, 11:00 AM

If you want to raise the rear yes. Your leaf springs are over your axle so adding a spacer block will only raise it. If your axle was above the leafs then a block would lower it more. See? Or has your axle already been flipped?

70GMCer · 10-21-2007, 12:31 PM

The axle has not been flipped. The leafs are on top of the axle,

bad6772 · 10-21-2007, 04:43 PM

if the leafs are on top it will raise your truck... with a flip kit you will not need blocks..... i would go down to your local speed shop and just buy new spring perches...they are about 15 bucks... cut off your old perches and weld the new ones one.... under the axle..... this is the cheapest way i can think of... and i have done it... youll need new u bolts...just flip your new u bolts where the threads are on top and your plates are also..i have done this a few times...and its the cheapest way to do it and is just as safe as a flip kit or more safe

10-20-2007, 06:44 AM	#1
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? I'm trying to determine which way to go on lowering my GMC which has a leaf rear. I even thought of changing to a coil rear, but thinking that would be extreme. Anyway, what would be the best way to do this. I really don't want to get into any welding. I want to come down to around a 4" drop. Any pictures of a leaf rear lowered would help. __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

10-20-2007, 07:48 AM	#2
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? hey 70 i dont have a pic for you but i do have some input.....i HAD lowered rear leaf springs and they was awfull... it did set the truck down about 4 or so inches but i had terrible axle wrap and it rode like crap..... i soon switched them out for a flip kit.....i gained a few inches but it rides just fine.....i also didnt have to do a c notch. now im not shure how if it would hit with a load because i never use my truck as a truck.. but there is not axle wrap or wheel hop.... i run a mild small block..(ZZ3) ...IMO i would run a flip kit.....it was easy to instahl...about an hour and a half..and 8 years and no problems....hope this may help.......tony

10-20-2007, 07:59 AM	#3
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,535	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? ECE sells lowered leaf springs and shackles. May be others. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-20-2007, 09:28 AM	#4
xmitsu10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alton, New Hampshire Posts: 274	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? Here's mine with lowered leaf springs (4" spring and 1" shackle = 5" total drop). It does ride hard on bumps only, but that could be my shocks. Attached Images __________________ 71 Cheyenne SWB

10-20-2007, 11:32 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? There are mounts made to lower springs on frames off `73-ups.Should work on pre-`73s. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-20-2007, 09:30 PM	#6
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? If they make lift shackles, then you could flip it & put lift shackles on if you didn't want it as low as the flip alone __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer

10-21-2007, 10:16 AM	#7
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? What about those aluminum lowering blocks I see? I want to keep the same ride comfort. Are those blocks safe? __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

10-21-2007, 10:31 AM	#8
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,535	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? Those are for use on a coil spring rear. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-21-2007, 11:00 AM	#10
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,535	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? If you want to raise the rear yes. Your leaf springs are over your axle so adding a spacer block will only raise it. If your axle was above the leafs then a block would lower it more. See? Or has your axle already been flipped? __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-21-2007, 12:31 PM	#11
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? The axle has not been flipped. The leafs are on top of the axle, __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

10-21-2007, 04:43 PM	#12
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: Lowered Rear Leaf Springs? if the leafs are on top it will raise your truck... with a flip kit you will not need blocks..... i would go down to your local speed shop and just buy new spring perches...they are about 15 bucks... cut off your old perches and weld the new ones one.... under the axle..... this is the cheapest way i can think of... and i have done it... youll need new u bolts...just flip your new u bolts where the threads are on top and your plates are also..i have done this a few times...and its the cheapest way to do it and is just as safe as a flip kit or more safe



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