2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

[GASoline71]

Well this weekend my Dad and I dropped the rear end of the truck 3" by putting in 2" drop shackles from Frank's Pick'em Ups, and removing the spring overloads on the springpack.

The diff is pretty greasy... this winter it will be yarded out of there and an Eaton Posi-traction unit with new gears will be installed. Maybe even disc brakes.

1. Removed the upper shackle bolt out of the old shackle.



2. New 2" drop shackle being held up for comparison.



3. Dad spraying lube on the shackle bolts.



4. New 2" drop shackle installed.



5. Impact wrench on the old U-bolts.



6. Same deal...



7. After removing old U-bolts... 40 years have taken it's toll. The threads basically flaked off... since we were taking out a 1" overload spring, we needed the threads.



8. Clamping the springpack together to remove the center pin bolt.



9. More of same...



10. Center pins were a little rusty too.



11. Also removed heavy duty coilover rear spring/shocks along with overloads.



12. Went in to Tacoma, WA to Right Way Spring Co, and had a set of new shackle bolts custom made. Since nobody stocks them in a auto parts store. Also got new pins for the leaf packs.



13. There is a little plastic "anti squeak" pad that goes between the axle pearch and the leaf pack.



14. Installing new pins in leaf packs (minus the overloads).



15. new center pin installed.



16. tightening the new center pin.



17. New U-bolts setting in place.



18. Installing lower axle clamp and nuts on u-bolts. You can see new $25 dollar parts store Monroe shocks hanging from upper mount.



19. Cutting off excess bolt thread on the pins with a sawzall.



20. Rear end snugged up and new shocks installed...



21. New stance... 3" lower in rear... left front stock until the rear settles, and then will lower front later...





Here is a few shots of my '72 GMC and my dad's '70 Chevy. The ET slots that are on my truck were originally on my dad's with adapters since his truck is 6 lug. It was cool to get them from him and polish them up and install them on my truck. He bought his '70 in 1974.











Gary