5" flip kit drop.. is notching really required?

[68gmsee]

I replaced all of the original leaves on my 68 GMC and now it sits way too high (34 1/2 inches from top of fender wheel arch to bottom). This truck evidently was ordered with the heavy duty option (extra leaves) so I was thinking that I can flip it and not have to worry about bottoming out.

Below is the post with a pic of the leaf springs now. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=291142

And a pic of the truck as it sits. The front is already lowered 2 inches.

[jkaylor68gmc]

did my '68 GMC I drove in high school and dang if it didn't have to be notched.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by jkaylor68gmc

did my '68 GMC I drove in high school and dang if it didn't have to be notched.

I sure didn't want to do that to the frame. Did you do any hauling with it? Or did you notch it cause it bottomed out going over rr crossings, etc.?

I've heard two different opinions about the flipping. One guy says he didn't do it and hasn't had any problems. He also has the overload springs like mine does.

[jkaylor68gmc]

It rode fine but when you put stuff in it got close. I will have to dig up some photos but yes, mine dropped it 6-inches, I almost died.

[68gmsee]

I have couple other trucks for the heavy stuff plus a trailer so I probably won't do any hauling on mine other than light stuff from the grocery store etc.

The kit that I was looking at from DJM says 5 inches. I figured with the heavy springs it would prevent bottoming out on rr crossings and road bumps (at least hoping). The front is 29 1/2 now and the back is 34 1/2. That would make it pretty level if I flipped it which is what I was looking for.

Seems to me there was somebody else on this forum who flipped his and said he didn't have any problems unless it was a real heavy bump...

[68gmsee]

Okay, I took the time to take measurements that I hope are correct.

From the frame to the top of the rubber stop is about 5 1/2 inches and to the axle it is about 6 1/2 inches...

By my careful calculations, that would put a 5 inch drop 1/2 inch from the rubber stop. And, if I did drop it that much, I would definitely need to notch.

Now, I'm going back and remove some of those extra overload leaves to bring it down an inch or so and maybe get some lowering shackles.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Okay, I took the time to take measurements that I hope are correct.

From the frame to the top of the rubber stop is about 5 1/2 inches and to the axle it is about 6 1/2 inches...

By my careful calculations, that would put a 5 inch drop 1/2 inch from the rubber stop. And, if I did drop it that much, I would definitely need to notch.

Now, I'm going back and remove some of those extra overload leaves to bring it down an inch or so and maybe get some lowering shackles.

Some peope shave an inch or so off the bumper, but don't completely remove it.