6" rear drop. Do I really need "C" notch? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DevinM · 02-10-2003, 12:08 AM

I know the proper way to drop the rear of our trucks 6 inches, is to "C" notch the rear end. My '71 has coils, will I get away with a 6" drop without having to "C" notch? I'm planning on purchasing the Early Classics 4/6 drop kit. Testimonials??

72MARIO · 02-10-2003, 12:13 AM

Bang Bang !!! If you dont mind hearing that sound then dont worry about it. later

JHickson6 · 02-10-2003, 12:20 AM

Yup You need one, you can get away with a 4" drop with out one, but on some bumps the frame would hit the axle, now with a 6" drop the frame is almost on the axle and an ant hill would probably cause a collison between the frame and axle.

**1971Stepside** · 02-10-2003, 12:40 PM

I bought the 4/6 drop from Early Classics and I asked them point blank on two different occasions if I needed a c-notch and they told me no both times. Anything greater than a 6" drop then yes.

I have my chassis back together and I just can't see how it will ever hit the axle on the frame. A c-notch would be nice in case you ever decide you want to do bags it would already be done.

Here is a pic, but it is obviously not loaded, but you don't loose much.....

crazy longhorn · 02-10-2003, 12:53 PM

I havent done a 6" drop on a coil truck, but it sure wouldnt work on my longhorn without a notch. I have flipped the axle,removed leafs, & relocated spring hangers for a 5" drop......& have 2 3/4" of clearance tween the axle & frame(12 bolt rear)......crazyL

Frank_Zeller · 02-10-2003, 01:01 PM

I have the ECE 6 in rear drop on my SWB. They said to just trim the bump stop flush with the frame. The Big U bolt hits the stop before the rear hits the frame. No bang Bang. On big bumps you do hit the stop, but most of the time its ok. Complained to ECE about why would they use such a low spring rate 6 inch drop spring? Their comment was that they can give me stiffer shocks. Poor solution to low spring rate. I would be nice if they came out with a high rate spring.

DevinM · 02-10-2003, 07:53 PM

Thanks folks! That helped alot, especially the pic (1971Stepside). I will attempt the lowering w/ out the "C" notch. My truck is only a weekend/nice weather driver, so I think I can put up with the occasional "bump". Maybe, by the time that I do my purchase, high rate springs could be an option.? Who knows! Thanks again!

LowSeventy · 02-10-2003, 08:28 PM

I bought the 3.5/6 kit from Early Classic last year, and have never bottomed out yet. I asked Stan at Early Classic when I was up there if I should C-notch the frame, and he showed me on his truck that there is no room. If you took out your rear springs completely and set the frame on the axle, there is only a little over and inch before the diff hits the bottom of the bed.
He said unless I planned on raising my bed floor and modifying the upper shock crossmember, do not c-notch my frame.
As for the spring rate, I love the way my truck rides, not too soft and not too stiff. Anyway, my 2cents.

02-10-2003, 12:08 AM	#1
DevinM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Deerfield, MA USA Posts: 198	6" rear drop. Do I really need "C" notch? I know the proper way to drop the rear of our trucks 6 inches, is to "C" notch the rear end. My '71 has coils, will I get away with a 6" drop without having to "C" notch? I'm planning on purchasing the Early Classics 4/6 drop kit. Testimonials?? __________________ '71 Chevy C-10 - Current '62 Imapla SS - Traded for my current '73 Nova Hatch - traded for ATC-350X '73 Chevelle Deluxe - First car (R.I.P) DEERFIELD, MA

02-10-2003, 12:13 AM	#2
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	Bang Bang !!! If you dont mind hearing that sound then dont worry about it. later __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

02-10-2003, 12:20 AM	#3
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	Yup You need one, you can get away with a 4" drop with out one, but on some bumps the frame would hit the axle, now with a 6" drop the frame is almost on the axle and an ant hill would probably cause a collison between the frame and axle. __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

02-10-2003, 12:40 PM	#4
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	don't need a c-notch I bought the 4/6 drop from Early Classics and I asked them point blank on two different occasions if I needed a c-notch and they told me no both times. Anything greater than a 6" drop then yes. I have my chassis back together and I just can't see how it will ever hit the axle on the frame. A c-notch would be nice in case you ever decide you want to do bags it would already be done. Here is a pic, but it is obviously not loaded, but you don't loose much..... Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

02-10-2003, 12:53 PM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	I havent done a 6" drop on a coil truck, but it sure wouldnt work on my longhorn without a notch. I have flipped the axle,removed leafs, & relocated spring hangers for a 5" drop......& have 2 3/4" of clearance tween the axle & frame(12 bolt rear)......crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

02-10-2003, 01:01 PM	#6
Frank_Zeller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 796	I have the ECE 6 in rear drop on my SWB. They said to just trim the bump stop flush with the frame. The Big U bolt hits the stop before the rear hits the frame. No bang Bang. On big bumps you do hit the stop, but most of the time its ok. Complained to ECE about why would they use such a low spring rate 6 inch drop spring? Their comment was that they can give me stiffer shocks. Poor solution to low spring rate. I would be nice if they came out with a high rate spring. __________________ 69 SWB C/10 5-6 drop 700R4 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd 70 Torino GT Convert Austin-Texas

02-10-2003, 07:53 PM	#7
DevinM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Deerfield, MA USA Posts: 198	Thanks folks! That helped alot, especially the pic (1971Stepside). I will attempt the lowering w/ out the "C" notch. My truck is only a weekend/nice weather driver, so I think I can put up with the occasional "bump". Maybe, by the time that I do my purchase, high rate springs could be an option.? Who knows! Thanks again! __________________ '71 Chevy C-10 - Current '62 Imapla SS - Traded for my current '73 Nova Hatch - traded for ATC-350X '73 Chevelle Deluxe - First car (R.I.P) DEERFIELD, MA

02-10-2003, 08:28 PM	#8
LowSeventy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 67	I bought the 3.5/6 kit from Early Classic last year, and have never bottomed out yet. I asked Stan at Early Classic when I was up there if I should C-notch the frame, and he showed me on his truck that there is no room. If you took out your rear springs completely and set the frame on the axle, there is only a little over and inch before the diff hits the bottom of the bed. He said unless I planned on raising my bed floor and modifying the upper shock crossmember, do not c-notch my frame. As for the spring rate, I love the way my truck rides, not too soft and not too stiff. Anyway, my 2cents.



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