Leaf removal question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

NONHOG · 07-01-2010, 04:12 PM

Hoping to hear from someone who has knowledge about removing leafs from springs if there is a rule of thumb as to how many will give what drop.
Or how many and still have a safe ride.
Is it worth the effort ?
Someday I'll be able to afford a drop axle or maybe a suspension swap ?
For now it would be fun to get it a few inches lower.
Thoughts ?

Sillyoldman · 07-01-2010, 09:07 PM

When I read the title my first thought was a teen with a rake. I can't answer the Q. Anyone?

Steve@OldSub.com · 07-01-2010, 10:03 PM

Its hard to know since we don't really know the condition of the springs to start with.

1) Even with the factory sway bar these beasts do sway a bit and the stiffness of the springs do mitigate that somewhat.

2) Removing leafs reduces the axle clearance between the axles and the frame. You are likely to experience some bone jarring hits as a result. The approaches to mitigating axle bump are many but you'll need match one to your exact drop to preserve handing and confidence.

3) Lowering the truck has an impact of steering geometry. You want to be aware of that and have a plan to prevent bump-steer and keep your front suspension alignable.

mylow53 · 07-02-2010, 01:38 PM

done it to my truck back in the day... i pulled 3 from the front if i remember right. your problem is your panel weighs more than a reg truck so you will have to guess. i would pull 2 and see where she sits...
replace the original bump stop with a thick rubber strip have the ubolts hold the ends in an upside down u tuck the ends under the bolts till they form a circle. yes you will have your hard jarring hits but thats why they say low and slow!!!!
show us a before and after pict!!!
GT

NONHOG · 07-02-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylow53

have the ubolts hold the ends in an upside down u tuck the ends under the bolts till they form a circle.

GT

At the risk of sounding stupid (never stopped me before) whats "the ends"
If I were home I'd run out and look at the springs, plates etc. it would probably be obvious to me then ?

mylow53 · 07-02-2010, 07:26 PM

heres a crude drawing... this will buy you almost 2" of travel on the original suspension. i drove this truck like that for years
GT

**CHIZZLER** · 07-02-2010, 09:13 PM

Dont be scared.if you need extra parts i have them.i will not be using any of my stock suspension.

NONHOG · 07-02-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylow53

heres a crude drawing... this will buy you almost 2" of travel on the original suspension. i drove this truck like that for years
GT

Clear !

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHIZZLER

Dont be scared.if you need extra parts i have them.i will not be using any of my stock suspension.

Thanks guys !

vwjohnny · 07-04-2010, 09:23 AM

I removed 2 leafs front and rear in addition to 2" drop shackles in the rear. Truck still rides good with no "jarring". Only a half ton though. Have fun!

**mr48chev** · 07-04-2010, 11:38 AM

I think I took out two leaves when I did the quick and nasty lowering job on the 48.

If you stay to smooth streets the ride isn't bad but if you hit a pothole the axle will hit the frame.
On my truck at least the handling wasn't very good and I couldn't relax while going down the road. The truck had a bit of a mind of it's own.

The remove a couple of leaves trick has been done since guy started lowering trucks so it isn't a big deal but be prepared for a few quirks when driving it.

Shorter front tires will bring it down too. I probably got at least two inches of the drop on my truck by running 195-14 or 205-14 tires on the front.

Not super low but a lot lower than stock.

07-01-2010, 04:12 PM	#1
NONHOG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marana, Arizona Posts: 3,458	Leaf removal question Hoping to hear from someone who has knowledge about removing leafs from springs if there is a rule of thumb as to how many will give what drop. Or how many and still have a safe ride. Is it worth the effort ? Someday I'll be able to afford a drop axle or maybe a suspension swap ? For now it would be fun to get it a few inches lower. Thoughts ? __________________ "I feel the need for speed!"... as soon as I am done with my nap.

07-01-2010, 09:07 PM	#2
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	Re: Leaf removal question When I read the title my first thought was a teen with a rake. I can't answer the Q. Anyone? __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.*

07-01-2010, 10:03 PM	#3
Steve@OldSub.com Cancer Survivor in the making. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA Posts: 303	Re: Leaf removal question Its hard to know since we don't really know the condition of the springs to start with. 1) Even with the factory sway bar these beasts do sway a bit and the stiffness of the springs do mitigate that somewhat. 2) Removing leafs reduces the axle clearance between the axles and the frame. You are likely to experience some bone jarring hits as a result. The approaches to mitigating axle bump are many but you'll need match one to your exact drop to preserve handing and confidence. 3) Lowering the truck has an impact of steering geometry. You want to be aware of that and have a plan to prevent bump-steer and keep your front suspension alignable. __________________ '55 1st GMC Suburban - '54 GMC 1-ton trailer puller (in process) - '54 GMC 1-ton Hydra-Matic - '47 Chevy AD COE and lots more rusty old iron. Steve@OldSub.com OldSub.com . MaxwellGarage.com . OldGasTowRigs.com

07-02-2010, 01:38 PM	#4
mylow53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: thousand oaks, California Posts: 732	Re: Leaf removal question done it to my truck back in the day... i pulled 3 from the front if i remember right. your problem is your panel weighs more than a reg truck so you will have to guess. i would pull 2 and see where she sits... replace the original bump stop with a thick rubber strip have the ubolts hold the ends in an upside down u tuck the ends under the bolts till they form a circle. yes you will have your hard jarring hits but thats why they say low and slow!!!! show us a before and after pict!!! GT __________________ Greg 1953 chevy 1/2 ton 5 window, chevy 350 330 horse 700r tranz, lowering spindels mustang 2 frount. ford 9", airbags on 4 corners . purchased in 1983 for $325 while in high school http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=215079&page=5

07-02-2010, 07:26 PM	#6
mylow53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: thousand oaks, California Posts: 732	Re: Leaf removal question heres a crude drawing... this will buy you almost 2" of travel on the original suspension. i drove this truck like that for years GT Attached Images __________________ Greg 1953 chevy 1/2 ton 5 window, chevy 350 330 horse 700r tranz, lowering spindels mustang 2 frount. ford 9", airbags on 4 corners . purchased in 1983 for $325 while in high school http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=215079&page=5 Last edited by mylow53; 07-02-2010 at 07:28 PM.

07-02-2010, 09:13 PM	#7
CHIZZLER SAVING ONE TRUCK AT A TIME Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sherwood oregon Posts: 1,141	Re: Leaf removal question Dont be scared.if you need extra parts i have them.i will not be using any of my stock suspension. __________________ 53-suburban (99% done) 40-pick up (99.9% done) 12-cc lb dually D-max (dd) 61-crew cab D-max "PAY LESS FOR WHAT YOU NEED PAY MORE FOR WHAT YOU WANT" 53 BURBAN BARN FIND:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404091 1940 PROJECT MOON SHINE:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551088 1961 CREW MAX: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6957999

07-04-2010, 09:23 AM	#9
vwjohnny Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 52	Re: Leaf removal question I removed 2 leafs front and rear in addition to 2" drop shackles in the rear. Truck still rides good with no "jarring". Only a half ton though. Have fun! Attached Images

07-04-2010, 11:38 AM	#10
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,715	Re: Leaf removal question I think I took out two leaves when I did the quick and nasty lowering job on the 48. If you stay to smooth streets the ride isn't bad but if you hit a pothole the axle will hit the frame. On my truck at least the handling wasn't very good and I couldn't relax while going down the road. The truck had a bit of a mind of it's own. The remove a couple of leaves trick has been done since guy started lowering trucks so it isn't a big deal but be prepared for a few quirks when driving it. Shorter front tires will bring it down too. I probably got at least two inches of the drop on my truck by running 195-14 or 205-14 tires on the front. Not super low but a lot lower than stock. Last edited by mr48chev; 07-04-2010 at 11:44 AM.



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