How do ya drop the rear of a C20 with leafs 2"?

[MrC1]

Sorry for the barrage of questions!

I know there's lots of threads about this, but I couldn't find this specific answer.

I've got a '72 C20 with leaf rear suspension (HD option?) Anyway, I want to leave the ride height stock for now, 'cept I'd like to drop the rear 2" to level it out. How's this done? Are there 2" longer shackles available? If so, where?

It appears that 2" longer shackles might not quite fit under the bed, but I'm not sure. It's a fleetside metal bed, BTW.

[69 Short Fleet]

Not sure on a C/20. I just got Early Classics catalog today and they only offer leafsprings (with drop) for C/10's. I don't remember seeing anything for the 3/4 tons from any vendors. Doug

[tomatocity]

Check the catalogs or contact one of the Board vendors like GMCPauls or any of the others. They are all good companies with good employees.

How wide are your leaf springs? What is the length (bushing to bushing) of your leaf springs. My leafs are 2.25" wide adn approx. 51+" long (bushing center to bushing center).

[llegos]

take out a leaf?

[chickenwing]

I'm lookin at raising the front. Still playing with these http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...k/6372SHKR.htm

Tomatocity and I have talked about it before. Spring dimensions will be important to make sure the shackle will fit. Talk to tech support of whatever company you choose.

[69 longhorn]

For such a minor drop,possibly rearching the springs may be the best route.you will still have the load capacity, & no issues with longer shackles/box floor clearance. best of luck, 69L

[72MARIO]

That would be "dearching" Longhorn

Any local spring shop will pull the pack and flatten them out 2" usually under $100.00.

[chickenwing]

Didn't know that was a common thing. Thought it was a "lost art". I love this place. Thanks for the thread and info.

[MrC1]

Thanks for the info guys. I was hoping to hear that a longer shackle was available (or somethin gsimilar), but maybe it's not. I've searched all over, but haven't found anything.

I may end up rearching the springs, but I'd prefer not to.

[masterbeavis]

Dumb question, but is you axle spring under or spring over? Not knowing much about somethings maes me have to ask. If it was sprung under, you could put a block in there lowering it more??!?!

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by masterbeavis

Dumb question, but is you axle spring under or spring over? Not knowing much about somethings maes me have to ask. If it was sprung under, you could put a block in there lowering it more??!?!

They're sprungover.

My personal suggestion is, a bed full of bricks.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by MrC1

I've got a '72 C20 with leaf rear suspension (HD option?) Anyway, I want to leave the ride height stock for now, 'cept I'd like to drop the rear 2" to level it out. How's this done? Are there 2" longer shackles available? If so, where?

Longer shackles will take you the wrong direction.

Ray's Fort Worth Champion Spring. Have them dearched to whatever ride height you want. You'll maintain the mechanical integrity of the spring pack (load capacity, spring rate, etc.), which will be altered substantially if you start pulling leaves out of the spring pack.

[Maximum Overdrive]

Let the air out of the rear tires until you achieve the 2 inches.

Not sure how yours is set up but mine has overloads on it and by simply taking out the overload springs and the spacer and then using new u bolts I could acheive 2-3 inch drop on the rear of my truck.

[69moneypit]

I took my truck to a spring shop and they removed the leaves and individually de arched each one. I do not know how much it changed the amount of a load I can haul.

[tomatocity]

Originally Posted by 69moneypit

I took my truck to a spring shop and they removed the leaves and individually de arched each one. I do not know how much it changed the amount of a load I can haul.

Probably less expensive if you removed them yourself and took them into the shop. May I ask what the cost was?

[MrC1]

Originally Posted by XXL

Longer shackles will take you the wrong direction.

Actually, they hang DOWN to the springs, so longer ones WILL work.

[MrC1]

Originally Posted by Maximum Overdrive

Not sure how yours is set up but mine has overloads on it and by simply taking out the overload springs and the spacer and then using new u bolts I could acheive 2-3 inch drop on the rear of my truck.

I've got the overload springs too, but that's only about 1/2"-3/4" of thickness. I'm not sure what spacer you're referring to.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by MrC1

Actually, they hang DOWN to the springs, so longer ones WILL work.

I guess I'm missing something. If the shackles connect on top at the frame and on the bottom at the spring, making them longer lowers the spring mount, which is the same as raising everything above the spring mount. It's been a while since I've looked at a leaf version of thse trucks, but I believe the spring eye is on the low end of the shackle.

[69 longhorn]

Originally Posted by XXL

I guess I'm missing something. If the shackles connect on top at the frame and on the bottom at the spring, making them longer lowers the spring mount, which is the same as raising everything above the spring mount. It's been a while since I've looked at a leaf version of thse trucks, but I believe the spring eye is on the low end of the shackle.

Your sketches show how most of the mid 60's leaf sprung muscle cars were set up. longer shackles did lift them. the trucks are setup differently tho......the spring is above the frame perch, & the shackle drops from the spring eye , down to the perch. longer shackles do lower a truck, but how far you can go without hitting a cross rail , or the bed floor doesnt work to be much more than 1" or so(depending on wood, or steel floor). If you can get enough drop with a shackle.....I would sure go that way, as it would be by far the easiest route L

[MrC1]

Where can I get longer shackles though? Anybody make them?

[69 longhorn]

C-20, should be a 2 1/2" wide leaf.....try Bell tech on the 73-up trucks, it should be the same deal. if that does not work, a good welder/fab man can "hook you up". Best of luck, L

[tomatocity]

Rich these are drop shackles and they would lower your truck. I think we should slam your truck and leave the same wheels and tires on it

Originally Posted by chickenwing

I'm lookin at raising the front. Still playing with these http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...k/6372SHKR.htm

Tomatocity and I have talked about it before. Spring dimensions will be important to make sure the shackle will fit. Talk to tech support of whatever company you choose.

[tomatocity]

Originally Posted by MrC1

Where can I get longer shackles though? Anybody make them?

Use the link to CPP that chickenwing posted. They allow you teh option of either 1" or 2".

[chickenwing]

What's next? Dingo balls?

[XXL]

Originally Posted by 69 longhorn

the spring is above the frame perch, & the shackle drops from the spring eye , down to the perch.

Aha! I thought I was missing some fact... thanks for the clarification.