4 inch rear drop

[llegos]

is there a way to get a 4 inch rear drop without taking out any springs, doing a axle flip, or getting new springs? I dont have a problem with any of these methods, but my dad is part owner of my truck, and he has a say in what I do. I am looking for drop to compliment the 2.5" drop spindles which i will be getting soon.

[smbrouss70]

I'm assuming you are talking about a leaf spring set-up? A shackle will get you 2" any more than that and you have to do one of the things that you listed. If your dad is concerned with being able to easily put it back to stock height, like mine was when I was younger, the flip kit would be the least invasive I would think, it uses all the stock parts just relocates the axle.

[llegos]

these are leaf springs and I already talked to him about axle flips. here is what I have asked, and his responces

1) what about early classic leaves? those arent as stiff and blah blah blah(this will basically never be used as a truck, anyways)
2) What about having the springs de-arched? there is no way that they can be de-arched without somehow either giving up some spring firmness or them de-forming them
3) what about a axle flip? when you do those kinds of cheap mods, you drive shaft gets messed up, and you end up on the side of the road with your driveshaft on the ground.

so I am in this position. There were a way to get a 4 inch drop without flipping the axle, or changing out/modifying the springs, that would be awesome, but so far I can only get 2" from some shackles. I know hangers are made for the 73-87 trucks, any chance that they would fit on mine?

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by llegos

I know hangers are made for the 73-87 trucks, any chance that they would fit on mine?

Now that I have no clue on, maybe someone can chime in.

As far as the flip kit goes, in theory the rear end should have the same pinion angle as before, if you have a slip-joint typ of 2-piece driveshaft, you won't have any problems.

[72MARIO]

ECE or CPP have lowered leafs. They have the same load carrying.

[llegos]

by saying this, you guys are arguing whats already been won. Does it say on the early classic page that they retain the same weight rating? I just need some good words/proof to get my dad to believe this

[72MARIO]

Why not axel flip and bag it ? You would have the ride hight and be able to carry more weight than stock with out the springs having all the weight on them.

[llegos]

can I please get your guys' phone numbers so that you can argue with him? I am tired of this.lol He doesnt think the axle flip is good cuz he thinks that it will mess up stuff like my pinion angle, and mess up my driveshaft. I am afraid that i am running out of ideas here cuz i have been over all of these options with him, and none are getting me anywhere:

-new ECE or CPP leaves
-de-arching the stock ones
-axle flip
-airbags

any other ways to get a 3.5-4ish drop will be appriciated

[72MARIO]

You can easily correct your pinion angle give him a angle finder and He can check it himself as long as your within 2 -3 degrees your fine. If your out summitt racing has shims for under $20.00.

Just buy your own truck.....just kidding.

[crazy longhorn]

If you do an axle flip, you will have more than a 4" drop(like 5 1/2-6"). I think de-arching would be the cheapest/easiest 4" drop, with a 4'' dropped leaf as the more expensive.....better way to go (due to new parts). I did a flip on my longhorn,& ended up moving the spring brackets on the frame to compensate, as it sat too low in back for the amount of front drop.(more work + pinion angles to straighten out). Good luck...... L

[llegos]

i want to dearch the springs, and i think its my best bet, but my dad said(and i dont believe it) that it would completely deform the springs and they would be useless..

[llegos]

what I would like to do at this point, is get a pair of rear springs, have them de-arched 2.5", and then show my dad that there is no real major disfiguration....

[Jebb1978]

Originally Posted by llegos

i want to dearch the springs, and i think its my best bet, but my dad said(and i dont believe it) that it would completely deform the springs and they would be useless..

Dude I am sorry but the real issue seems to be that your Dad wants your truck at it's stock hieght. That is what I am getting form this. It sounds like an issue that you can solve with some direct communication. I would advise asking him why he doesn't want you to lower the truck. He can do the research if he really wants to. Sounds to me like you should just stop arguing over the the mechanical end of it and find out what his issue really is. Am I wrong guys????
Best of luck my friend, I was lucky my Dad's truck was dropped and he likes that chit..... If he didn't want me to do something and he had a say I never won. However I never tried the direct approch when I was younger either... If you approch him this way don't let it turn into an argument just ask him in a calm manner and explain that you feel your point has been proven... See what happens...

[Shev]

DJM makes a 4" drop shackle and hanger kit...click here to check it out...seems like it would be the answer to your old man has....

[smbrouss70]

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't it seem like shackles would throw the pinion angle off more than any of the other options? I mean you're moving the back end of the leaf up but the front is staying in the same place, it has to mess up the pinion angle.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't it seem like shackles would throw the pinion angle off more than any of the other options? I mean you're moving the back end of the leaf up but the front is staying in the same place, it has to mess up the pinion angle.

Shackles do mess with the pinion angle more than the other ways mentioned.....its not too big an issue tho, a 2 degree shim should take care of the problem. the only downside on the shackle is its a 2" drop max. A shackle/hanger is a slick 4" drop (73-up). On the older trucks, I havent seen the front hangers tho...... L

[llegos]

Originally Posted by Jebb1978

Dude I am sorry but the real issue seems to be that your Dad wants your truck at it's stock hieght. That is what I am getting form this. It sounds like an issue that you can solve with some direct communication. I would advise asking him why he doesn't want you to lower the truck. He can do the research if he really wants to. Sounds to me like you should just stop arguing over the the mechanical end of it and find out what his issue really is. Am I wrong guys????

your right about the fact that he wants me to leave it stock. i have directly asked him why and he says that he thinks it looks good and will still look good when i get rims for it(whole 'nother story in the 67-72 section). I think there will still be too much wheel gap. The other reason he thinks i should leave it the way it is is cuz he says that everyone lowers their truck like mine. My response was, well there must be something to it, and im a 16 year old kid, i dont want i to look like im driving my grandpas truck around.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by llegos

your right about the fact that he wants me to leave it stock. i have directly asked him why and he says that he thinks it looks good and will still look good when i get rims for it(whole 'nother story in the 67-72 section). I think there will still be too much wheel gap. The other reason he thinks i should leave it the way it is is cuz he says that everyone lowers their truck like mine. My response was, well there must be something to it, and im a 16 year old kid, i dont want i to look like im driving my grandpas truck around.

LOL! Well, im a 48yr old (almost grampa)......but I still dont want to drive Grampa's truck here you go, show "pops" this...
http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn .... L 48.....but going on 18

[llegos]

haha he doesnt like longhorns(no offense). I showed him your truck, and he said that he thinks that your wasting your money...............

I thought he was a car guy, but i guess hes a more of 'look at cars and talk about how your wasting your money on something that will end up looking like everone elses truck' kind of guy

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by llegos

haha he doesnt like longhorns(no offense). I showed him your truck, and he said that he thinks that your wasting your money...............

I thought he was a car guy, but i guess hes a more of 'look at cars and talk about how your wasting your money on something that will end up looking like everone elses truck' kind of guy

Well I am wasting my money......just ask my wifey ! L

[llegos]

well if your spending your money on something you enjoy doing, is it really wasting it?

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by llegos

well if your spending your money on something you enjoy doing, is it really wasting it?

Thats it.......in a "nutshell"! We should be able to mod our trucks, to make them how WE like them(within reason). if the mods we are doing cause saftey issues, then we need to rethink whats going. But.......none of the mods listed in this thread will cause any saftey issues, or in anyway cause any "driveablity " issues. IMO, I feel that a properly lowered truck will actually handle better, & generally be nicer(and more fun) to drive L

[72MARIO]

Here is a shot of my truck with a 2" shacke.

And one after the with a 2" de-arched and fatty spring was removed giving a little more than a 1" I still am not as low as a coil 6" drop though.

You cant tell me it would look good sitting sky high like the first pitcure..

[71SWBChevy]

Damn I guess I am greatful to have a father that is VERY supportive of my truck. Since I got the truck all he talks about is getting more. I have my 71 now dad is watching for ANY swb trucks from 67-72 that pop up as well as a 67-72 1 ton with a 4 speed so that he can get rid of his 99 2500. He has always been a car guy but now I think I can safely say he is becoming a 67-72 truck FANATIC. Which is cool by me

[AesC10s]

dude work and get the money for the truck and pay your dad for the half that is his and then you can do what ever you want to it and he cant say crap!