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

mobileortho · 03-15-2017, 09:11 PM

Several years ago I lowered the rear of my 3600 by removing 3 leafs. I recently added a MMII up fron so now I'd like to drop it a tad more, about 1 1/2"-2". I'm thinking one more leaf should get me there. Question is would the remaining 3 leafs safely handle the weight of the truck? I'm not going to be hauling anything, just cruising.

**mr48chev** · 03-16-2017, 01:24 AM

If it rides good I think I would go with lowering blocks to get the rest of the drop you want.

The cost isn't all that high and you will keep the ride you have but lower.

From my own experience on my truck if you take out too many leaves the suspension keeps dropping after you hit that just right level. a few thousand miles later it is sitting a bit lower and keeps going down over time and miles.

Hampshire · 03-16-2017, 08:32 AM

mr48chev - I don't think that blocks would work. The frame arch on a 3600 is totally different from a 3100 - lot more room with a 3100. With a 3600 frame, you can't even put the axle on top of the leafs. Without a C-notch, you will be limited to about between 2-3" drop and be left with about 4 plus inches axle to frame. I went to 3 leafs and Viking coilovers. The leafs have very little arch left. It worked for me & rides great without bottoming, but I'm at the max with my stance. Other might want more.

whitedog76 · 03-16-2017, 08:52 AM

Hampshire- Did you C-notch your frame when you shortened it?

Hampshire · 03-16-2017, 09:01 AM

Didn't C-notch. Thought I would have to, but it worked out with the stance I wanted. If you are doing the 4-5" FE drops that you commonly see here on the forum, I would think a C-notch would be needed to get the truck basically level. Many have done it (correctly), so It's not a big deal. I was all prepped to do it, but when I saw I had over 4" axle to frame with robust coil overs, I decided not to. Been on the road for two seasons & it's fine.

mobileortho · 03-16-2017, 03:41 PM

Thanks Hamp. I'm looking into following your lead with the coilovers.

**mr48chev** · 03-16-2017, 05:21 PM

OOPs I missed the 3600 part last night. That would end up being a lift kit, my bad.

On that one you might get away with removing another leaf.

The alternative would be to raise the spring hangers on the frame a bit if that is possible.

whitedog76 · 03-16-2017, 09:29 PM

What about some helper air bags?

Hampshire · 03-16-2017, 09:48 PM

Quote:

The alternative would be to raise the spring hangers on the frame a bit if that is possible.

...good point! I just remembered that at some time when I was looking at various ideas, I bought some Task Force hangers to mount on the top of the frame. I think that would have worked. Got the idea from some old thread.

mobileortho · 03-17-2017, 08:55 AM

Or helper springs??? The ones that slide over the shocks?

whitedog76 · 03-17-2017, 10:23 AM

Robert- Are you using the Chassis Engineering MII?

mobileortho · 03-17-2017, 04:06 PM

No, I bought a bolt on setup off EBay. It's pretty much the same one Speedway Motors offers.

mobileortho · 10-08-2018, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hampshire

...good point! I just remembered that at some time when I was looking at various ideas, I bought some Task Force hangers to mount on the top of the frame. I think that would have worked. Got the idea from some old thread.

Hamp, which TF hangers did you get?

mobileortho · 10-09-2018, 12:39 PM

Found this on Facebook. He said he just flipped the rear hangers & used some angled perches to correct the pinion angle. Looks pretty awesome to me!!

03-15-2017, 09:11 PM	#1
mobileortho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 904	Leaf removal Several years ago I lowered the rear of my 3600 by removing 3 leafs. I recently added a MMII up fron so now I'd like to drop it a tad more, about 1 1/2"-2". I'm thinking one more leaf should get me there. Question is would the remaining 3 leafs safely handle the weight of the truck? I'm not going to be hauling anything, just cruising. Attached Images __________________ Robert C. 1950 3600 3600 re-do, shortening it up If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making.

03-16-2017, 01:24 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Leaf removal If it rides good I think I would go with lowering blocks to get the rest of the drop you want. The cost isn't all that high and you will keep the ride you have but lower. From my own experience on my truck if you take out too many leaves the suspension keeps dropping after you hit that just right level. a few thousand miles later it is sitting a bit lower and keeps going down over time and miles. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-16-2017, 08:32 AM	#3
Hampshire Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Western MA Posts: 281	Re: Leaf removal mr48chev - I don't think that blocks would work. The frame arch on a 3600 is totally different from a 3100 - lot more room with a 3100. With a 3600 frame, you can't even put the axle on top of the leafs. Without a C-notch, you will be limited to about between 2-3" drop and be left with about 4 plus inches axle to frame. I went to 3 leafs and Viking coilovers. The leafs have very little arch left. It worked for me & rides great without bottoming, but I'm at the max with my stance. Other might want more. __________________ Pics of Finished 49 AD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...7686536275403/ Pics of build process: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...57684031425944 Last edited by Hampshire; 03-16-2017 at 08:50 AM.

03-16-2017, 08:52 AM	#4
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Leaf removal Hampshire- Did you C-notch your frame when you shortened it?

03-16-2017, 09:01 AM	#5
Hampshire Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Western MA Posts: 281	Re: Leaf removal Didn't C-notch. Thought I would have to, but it worked out with the stance I wanted. If you are doing the 4-5" FE drops that you commonly see here on the forum, I would think a C-notch would be needed to get the truck basically level. Many have done it (correctly), so It's not a big deal. I was all prepped to do it, but when I saw I had over 4" axle to frame with robust coil overs, I decided not to. Been on the road for two seasons & it's fine. __________________ Pics of Finished 49 AD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...7686536275403/ Pics of build process: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...57684031425944

03-16-2017, 03:41 PM	#6
mobileortho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 904	Re: Leaf removal Thanks Hamp. I'm looking into following your lead with the coilovers. __________________ Robert C. 1950 3600 3600 re-do, shortening it up If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making.

03-16-2017, 05:21 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Leaf removal OOPs I missed the 3600 part last night. That would end up being a lift kit, my bad. On that one you might get away with removing another leaf. The alternative would be to raise the spring hangers on the frame a bit if that is possible. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-16-2017, 09:29 PM	#8
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Leaf removal What about some helper air bags?

03-17-2017, 08:55 AM	#10
mobileortho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 904	Re: Leaf removal Or helper springs??? The ones that slide over the shocks? __________________ Robert C. 1950 3600 3600 re-do, shortening it up If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making.

03-17-2017, 10:23 AM	#11
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Leaf removal Robert- Are you using the Chassis Engineering MII?

03-17-2017, 04:06 PM	#12
mobileortho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 904	Re: Leaf removal No, I bought a bolt on setup off EBay. It's pretty much the same one Speedway Motors offers. __________________ Robert C. 1950 3600 3600 re-do, shortening it up If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making.

10-09-2018, 12:39 PM	#14
mobileortho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 904	Re: Leaf removal Found this on Facebook. He said he just flipped the rear hangers & used some angled perches to correct the pinion angle. Looks pretty awesome to me!! Attached Images __________________ Robert C. 1950 3600 3600 re-do, shortening it up If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making.

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