47-55.1 A little more drop for Posies springs?

[ChevDog1]

I have a 55.1 GMC that I lowered (stock suspension) with front and rear Posies Super Slide springs. The front ended up about 1" higher than the rear. I haven't put many miles on it yet (less than 100). Does anyone have these springs, and will they settle a bit? If not, is there a way to get another 1" of drop out of the front? I really don't want to add the cost and complexity of swapping to an independent front end. I have been looking at dropped axles and they all seem to start at 3", which is too much. Would prefer 1-2" of additional drop. Thanks!

[dsraven]

I would say to drive it for a bit and see if the springs settle some. dont forget the rears may also settle. see where it ends up after some miles.

[ChevDog1]

It may take a while. This truck doesn't see many miles. We have put about 2500 miles on it since we got it about 7 years ago. Maybe my wife will drive it more now that I have swapped in an automatic, power steering, and power brakes...

[mr48chev]

It looks like it is time to find reasons to drive it or take it rather than excuses to leave it at home. I'm with the others in that I wouldn't change anything until I put a few K on it.

On the other hand Marty Strode who is a well known traditional hot rod builder is about 8 miles from you in North Planes. I don't know how to get hold if him except on the HAMB but local rodders should know how to find him. He is extremely knowledgeable on older chassis plus he knows who does what and does it right in that area. I'll pm you the address and phone number I found for him. You probably can't catch him on a weekend though.

[ChevDog1]

I remember Marty Strode's name from my childhood. Pretty sure that my dad knows him. I may reach out to him if it doesn't settle in where I want it after getting some miles on it. Drove it 30 miles to work today!

[nvrdone]

I went thru the same problem on my "49. I finally wound up with a Sid's 3" dropped I beam and 215/70/15's. that give me 4" clearance under the axle and 14" from wheel center to fender lip. Been that way for about 15 years and no problems yet.

[leegreen]

you could take the springs to a spring place and get them re-arched. Or do it yourself with a shop press. You will find descriptions on the hamb and 4x4 forums, but essentially just mark off even increments the length of the spring and give each a couple pumps in the press. An inch should be quite doable

[mr48chev]

The only way you can buy a dropped axle from Sid now is if you catch him at one of the swap meets he takes a batch of axles to. He is no longer doing them to order and is semi retired but still doing the smaller pieces for customers. Age and a double knee replacement and finally taking time to do some of the things he hasn't been able to do because of the work load.

[mr48chev]

Question, when you look at the front leaf springs are the eyes pointing up or down and did you have to modify the back mount on the front spring per this diagram?

[JDarby]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

I have a 55.1 GMC that I lowered (stock suspension) with front and rear Posies Super Slide springs. The front ended up about 1" higher than the rear. I haven't put many miles on it yet (less than 100). Does anyone have these springs, and will they settle a bit? If not, is there a way to get another 1" of drop out of the front? I really don't want to add the cost and complexity of swapping to an independent front end. I have been looking at dropped axles and they all seem to start at 3", which is too much. Would prefer 1-2" of additional drop. Thanks!

I have this exact model year truck but modified. I would first do like the others have stated and get some miles (K) before you do anything else!

Until that suspension settles you really don't know what you have.

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Question, when you look at the front leaf springs are the eyes pointing up or down and did you have to modify the back mount on the front spring per this diagram?

Front spring eyes are below the top of the leaf (pointing down?). I did not receive any instructions to clearance the rear hangar. I will need to look at that and see if it is an issue.

[ChevDog1]

I reached out to Posie's and they told me that my springs are installed correctly. He said that they typically tell customers to get 500-1000 miles on them to let them settle. Guess I need to get it out and drive it!

[leegreen]

A spring shop that built one new leaf to replace a broken one suggested to leave the shock off for a few days driving to settle the new one faster.
It was just a daily driver 4x4 and I did not want to work on it in the rain any extra so I did not follow the advice. It sat a bit lopsided for a couple weeks, probably 1000km unloaded driving, then looked fine.

[Dongray]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

I have a 55.1 GMC that I lowered (stock suspension) with front and rear Posies Super Slide springs. The front ended up about 1" higher than the rear. I haven't put many miles on it yet (less than 100). Does anyone have these springs, and will they settle a bit? If not, is there a way to get another 1" of drop out of the front? I really don't want to add the cost and complexity of swapping to an independent front end. I have been looking at dropped axles and they all seem to start at 3", which is too much. Would prefer 1-2" of additional drop. Thanks!

ChevDog, I am installing posies on both front and rear as well. I was wondering did you use the original shocks and mounting positions for the rear or did you modify them? Curious as to the ride with the shocks in the same position. Thanks

[mr48chev]

The only thing that might change with the shocks in the same position is that the compressed length might be too long and they might bottom out before the suspension bottoms out. With stock springs and lowering blocks the distance between the shock mount on the frame and the shock mount on the bottom side of the spring doesn't change because the block raises the axle up off the spring to lower the truck but with lowering springs the distance is shorter. If you have enough travel it won't make any difference to the ride shock wise. The springs might be stiffer or softer though.

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by Dongray

ChevDog, I am installing posies on both front and rear as well. I was wondering did you use the original shocks and mounting positions for the rear or did you modify them? Curious as to the ride with the shocks in the same position. Thanks

I added power steering, so the upper front shock mounts have been moved to behind the axle - at the same dimensions they were in front of the axle. I then contacted Doetsch Tech and provided them with the dimensions. They sent me a set of shocks that fit. It rides pretty firm. OK on smooth highways, but pretty bouncy on rough pavement. I may need to explore some softer shocks.

I have a few more miles on it now (drove it to work today) and it appears to be settling. The front looks a tad lower now and it seems to be sitting pretty level.