Axle Flip Method with some Performance?

[aotte1]

Question: best method to lower rear so that tires ( 275x60x15) fill wheel wells, thinking about 3 inches.

Planning on lowering the rear of 1986' C10 SB SS, to match lowered front, that has one coil cut off front springs. Estimate front to be lower by 2 to 2.5 inches ( per info provided by members here- thanks) probably about 2" as front has been lighten by alu. head, intake, along with removal of certain non- essential stuff.
Current thinking from suggestions from member is to use axle flip approach, Which if done correctly will stand up to 400/400 H.P./Torque Ft-Lbs, along with trips down drag strip including radial slicks.

Specific questions are:
1). What specific method for doing axle flip, looking at Western flip kit-is it strong enough? Anybody dragging with it? Or do I need to weld on new perches to be safe with performance capability, along with shims to set 4 to 5 degrees of down pinion angle.

2). Research for flip kits state that rear is lowered from 5 to 6 inches, which is more then I need. Therefor, after doing flip, will likely need to raise rear back up a little. How to do this? Thinking of using new springs, that have the additional arch I need. Is their a better way way, considering the performance capability of truck? Note: my research showed axle flip is safest/ best performance way to do lowering.

If new springs, currently it has 51.5 " with 3 leaves, could go to 56" with more leaves. For strip action plan to uses Cal-Tracks. The 51.5" with more arch would be easiest to change out. However, moving rear hangers back for 56ers should not be a big issue as frame is already drilled for that length spring. Stock SB 1986' Chassis with 56" springs has about 2.5 inches more arch then the 51/3 springs.

Thanks,
Les

[J Knight]

You should probably just get the 4in drop shackles and hangers, this will make it sit level with the 2in drop in the front. If you do a flip in the rear without adding spindles to the front it will be lower in the rear.

[KQQL IT]

New spring pads. Cheap and stronger

[bdiamond]

There is a drag racing site with a pretty good stock suspension section. yellowbullet.com There are a few c10 threads.

[KQQL IT]

Flipped and cal Trac bars. Depending on power and converter 1.75-1.60 60' times are easy

[aotte1]

Thanks to everybody for the help.

Cool-It, the 60' times sound great! Are they based on info provided above?
A little more info on truck:
It will be a 86' C10 SB, SS, 350 CI with 400 HP at 5700 RPMs and about 375 @ 3200, 400 ft-lbs of torque on a pretty flat torque curve ( selected a cam with a flatter torque curve vs more peak HP); 3:73 gears, MY6 four speed ( it has a good low first gear). Trying to lighten truck some. Will be interested to see what it weights.

Thanks,
Les

[KQQL IT]

500ish hp 400
T400 10" converter
3:82 gear in a 9" rear end.

Come down to the drag race board lots of good info there.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=60

[school boy]

The spring under axle will be a little better for axle wrap. How much im not sure.

[KQQL IT]

And the 3 leaf will work better with cal tracs