Have any of you guys done this? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

yellowGT · 01-22-2008, 08:29 AM

I got to looking at the hangers for the leaf springs on my truck and before I bought a lowering kit for it I got this crazy yet cost saving idea. I basically wanted to know if any one have taken their hangers off and cut the top of them off and simply moving them up so that it will lower the back end. Im sure you would have to re-drill holes on the frame and you definately have to drill a hole at the bottom of the hangers.

**old Rusty C10** · 01-22-2008, 09:21 AM

never done that but im not sure it would be entirely safe to do that either... you can get universal hanger brackets cheap enough why mess with it?

Restrorob · 01-22-2008, 09:49 AM

If you are speaking of the front hangers ? Yes, That's the way I lowered mine, I also built my own drop shackles for the rear. Got a total of 6 1/2" drop all together.

Yes you do have to drill, I used grade eight bolts to re-install the brackets to the frame.

redrat · 01-22-2008, 12:45 PM

what kind of c-notch did you use?

Restrorob · 01-22-2008, 09:05 PM

I have no "C" notch at this time, It appears I have plenty clearance. But, The truck is still in pieces (body off) to tell where it's going to sit. Also, This will not be a daily driver but a week-end show truck so it will only be haulin azz.

If I must notch I will do as bagged01 did in his thread but not so high.

yellowGT · 01-23-2008, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restrorob

If you are speaking of the front hangers ? Yes, That's the way I lowered mine, I also built my own drop shackles for the rear. Got a total of 6 1/2" drop all together.

Yes you do have to drill, I used grade eight bolts to re-install the brackets to the frame.

This is exactly what I was talking about. Thank you. The pics really help out a lot too. I know hangers are about $120-140 which is not too bad but manufacturing something for you truck is more rewarding when you finish with it... i think.

Pyrotechnic · 01-23-2008, 05:36 AM

Would this change your pinion angle too much if you did it without adding drop shackles ?

Restrorob · 01-23-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowGT

manufacturing something for you truck is more rewarding when you finish with it... i think

There is NO "think" about it....I have all kinds of slick tricks going into this one !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Would this change your pinion angle too much if you did it without adding drop shackles ?

There is no doubt it would. See, This was my D.D for twelve years so the first thing I did was install the drop shackles to level the truck. Since I started the full restoration four years ago I added moving the front hangers so it ended up being about the same amount on the front and rear. So pinion angle shouldn't be a problem.

The only reason I did my drop this way wasn't to save a buck but to have a stock looking drop that not many have, I just wanted mine different from the rest of the crowd.

yellowGT · 01-23-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Would this change your pinion angle too much if you did it without adding drop shackles ?

Pardon my ignorance but what are you two talking about? Are you talking about the position of the rear wheels not being centered? I thought the shackles serve as pivots and instead of being straight up and down they would angle towards the back of the p/u?

kainzien · 01-23-2008, 12:51 PM

On my truck I cut my front hangers off and moved them up, and then went back and welded a plate across the top of the hanger because the hangers were starting to bend...

Restrorob · 01-23-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kainzien

On my truck I cut my front hangers off and moved them up, and then went back and welded a plate across the top of the hanger because the hangers were starting to bend...

Thanks for the heads-up, I'll see about stiffening mine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowGT

Pardon my ignorance but what are you two talking about?

Check the below thread out to learn about pinion angle;

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=263139

**Captkaos** · 01-24-2008, 01:36 AM

There is nothing wrong with this method. This is how you had to do it when there were no off the shelf components.

Cut springs, sectioned lower control arms, chopped hangers, 2x4 tubing flip kits , C-notches from 6" SCH40 pipe...

01-22-2008, 08:29 AM	#1
yellowGT Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Garland, TX Posts: 970	Have any of you guys done this? I got to looking at the hangers for the leaf springs on my truck and before I bought a lowering kit for it I got this crazy yet cost saving idea. I basically wanted to know if any one have taken their hangers off and cut the top of them off and simply moving them up so that it will lower the back end. Im sure you would have to re-drill holes on the frame and you definately have to drill a hole at the bottom of the hangers. __________________ '84 swb chevy '69 swb chevy '68 swb chevy '95 Impala ss-sold '89 chevy crew cab dually 3+3

01-22-2008, 09:21 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: Have any of you guys done this? never done that but im not sure it would be entirely safe to do that either... you can get universal hanger brackets cheap enough why mess with it? __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-22-2008, 09:49 AM	#3
Restrorob The One And Only !!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hole in the woods Florida Posts: 4,567	Re: Have any of you guys done this? If you are speaking of the front hangers ? Yes, That's the way I lowered mine, I also built my own drop shackles for the rear. Got a total of 6 1/2" drop all together. Yes you do have to drill, I used grade eight bolts to re-install the brackets to the frame. __________________ 93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. *"Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!*

01-22-2008, 12:45 PM	#4
redrat gearhead Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 144	Re: Have any of you guys done this? what kind of c-notch did you use? __________________ 2003 GMC Z71 Daily driver 1982 Chevy 2wd short bed, project, boxerdra@hotmail.com

01-22-2008, 09:05 PM	#5
Restrorob The One And Only !!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hole in the woods Florida Posts: 4,567	Re: Have any of you guys done this? I have no "C" notch at this time, It appears I have plenty clearance. But, The truck is still in pieces (body off) to tell where it's going to sit. Also, This will not be a daily driver but a week-end show truck so it will only be haulin azz. If I must notch I will do as bagged01 did in his thread but not so high. __________________ 93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. *"Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!*

01-23-2008, 05:36 AM	#7
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Have any of you guys done this? Would this change your pinion angle too much if you did it without adding drop shackles ?

01-23-2008, 12:51 PM	#10
kainzien Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 93	Re: Have any of you guys done this? On my truck I cut my front hangers off and moved them up, and then went back and welded a plate across the top of the hanger because the hangers were starting to bend... __________________ Chickenhouse chopshop 81 rcsb chevy bagged LS1/4l60E(under the knife) 94 ecswb L92 headed LQ9/ 4l80E(waiting to go under the knife) 78 rcsb chevy LQ4/4L80E

01-24-2008, 01:36 AM	#12
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Have any of you guys done this? There is nothing wrong with this method. This is how you had to do it when there were no off the shelf components. Cut springs, sectioned lower control arms, chopped hangers, 2x4 tubing flip kits , C-notches from 6" SCH40 pipe... __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com



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