2" shackles, no such luck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mitchell72 · 07-16-2013, 11:41 PM

I ordered some 2" extended shackles for my swb leaf spring 72. I was not pleased with the drop. I measured and it came out to be about and inch and a quarter. Since its and original leaf spring shorty I want to keep it as original as possible. Perhaps I will remove the bottom leaf which should give me 5/8 or so. I will try to get some pics up.

volksworld · 07-17-2013, 09:01 AM

since the shackle only drops the rear of the spring it only lowers the truck half the amount...as you now realize....years ago I tried to soften up the rear of a race car by pulling the bottom leaf,stupidly figured it was small so it didn't do much....the end result was uncontrollable wheel hop when accelerating....since its the shortest leaf its also the stiffest and prevents the spring from wrapping up...so if you're gonna pull a leaf remove a long one

LONGHAIR · 07-17-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volksworld

....since its the shortest leaf its also the stiffest and prevents the spring from wrapping up...so if you're gonna pull a leaf remove a long one

That is not necessarily good either. The leafs are "progressive" in length for a reason, each supports the one above it. If you leave too much space (length) unsupported, they can bend or even break.

Mike C · 07-17-2013, 07:45 PM

How much drop do you want? You can get a bolt in leaf spring flip kit from Summit that will drop it 5". No other mods needed, and you can always go back to stock. Keep the shackle for a 6" drop. That's the plan I have for mine along with 2 1/2" spindles and 2" springs in the front.

GASoline71 · 07-17-2013, 08:09 PM

I installed the 2" drop shackles and removed the overload springs on the rear of my 1972 GMC. Came down about 2.5".

Gary

mitchell72 · 07-17-2013, 09:33 PM

I removed the overload and one of the long ones, it came down a total with the shackles, about 2.5 inches. That is all the drop I am after. The truck doesn't get driven and it is by no means a hot rod. I plan on installing 2 inch coils for the front, we will see how that goes. Thanks for the input.

I may have done the flip kit in my younger days but now I want to stay as close to the General as possible, accept for headers, of course.

If I am unhappy with it in the end There are always tractor weights. LOL .

I intend on posting pics but am having difficulty.

Mitchell

07-16-2013, 11:41 PM	#1
mitchell72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Fontana, Ca Posts: 228	2" shackles, no such luck I ordered some 2" extended shackles for my swb leaf spring 72. I was not pleased with the drop. I measured and it came out to be about and inch and a quarter. Since its and original leaf spring shorty I want to keep it as original as possible. Perhaps I will remove the bottom leaf which should give me 5/8 or so. I will try to get some pics up.

07-17-2013, 09:01 AM	#2
volksworld Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: formerly NY currentlyNC Posts: 390	Re: 2" shackles, no such luck since the shackle only drops the rear of the spring it only lowers the truck half the amount...as you now realize....years ago I tried to soften up the rear of a race car by pulling the bottom leaf,stupidly figured it was small so it didn't do much....the end result was uncontrollable wheel hop when accelerating....since its the shortest leaf its also the stiffest and prevents the spring from wrapping up...so if you're gonna pull a leaf remove a long one __________________ 1970 short step c10 leaf spring 454

07-17-2013, 07:45 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Re: 2" shackles, no such luck How much drop do you want? You can get a bolt in leaf spring flip kit from Summit that will drop it 5". No other mods needed, and you can always go back to stock. Keep the shackle for a 6" drop. That's the plan I have for mine along with 2 1/2" spindles and 2" springs in the front. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

07-17-2013, 09:33 PM	#6
mitchell72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Fontana, Ca Posts: 228	Re: 2" shackles, no such luck I removed the overload and one of the long ones, it came down a total with the shackles, about 2.5 inches. That is all the drop I am after. The truck doesn't get driven and it is by no means a hot rod. I plan on installing 2 inch coils for the front, we will see how that goes. Thanks for the input. I may have done the flip kit in my younger days but now I want to stay as close to the General as possible, accept for headers, of course. If I am unhappy with it in the end There are always tractor weights. LOL . I intend on posting pics but am having difficulty. Mitchell



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