Western Chassis lowering leafs plus what for 6" rear drop? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

WhatWouldSeanDo · 10-07-2010, 06:53 PM

I want to lower my 77 GMC stepside, and am leaning towards a 5/6 static drop.

My stock 33 year old leaf springs are looking pretty crummy, so rather than swap them out for oem replacements I figure why not use the Western Chassis lowering leafs that are made to have a softer ride? WC offers them in 2 and 4 inch drops. I figure I would use the 2" lower leaf combined with a 4" flip kit or the 4" lower leaf with a 2" hanger. I don't even know if either of these is feasible, but if they are, I was looking for advice on which would be the preferred way to go?

I may put a helper air bag on the back for the extremely rare cargo use, but the main goal of this truck is looking good, handling decent and making a damn fine tailgate party truck.

So since my leafs need to be replaced, what's my best course of action for a static drop. I haven't ruled out bags completely, but I don't have any desire to go super low and I have a lot of other places where I could put the extra money into the truck.

Any advice on the 4" drop for the front (I am leaning towards spindles after reading through this forum) is also appreciated.

SCOTI · 10-07-2010, 08:59 PM

Spindles w/a shorter coil up front. What makes you think the current leafs are requiring replacement? Mine are 36yrs old & still doing just fine. For 5-6" rear drop, I'd do a flip kit.

WhatWouldSeanDo · 10-07-2010, 09:03 PM

They have visible cracks. I am sure they would hold up for a while, but I'd rather replace them.

SCOTI · 10-07-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhatWouldSeanDo

They have visible cracks. I am sure they would hold up for a while, but I'd rather replace them.

Makes sense then. If purchasing them new, I'd prob go 2" drop spring + the flip kit. It just seems w/leafs that flip kits yield better ride quality vs amount of drop.

**N2TRUX** · 10-07-2010, 10:18 PM

I agree with Scoti. I have always found it best to get as much "static" drop as possible. I prefer spindles over springs, and shackle, hanger, flip, etc over rear springs.

WhatWouldSeanDo · 10-08-2010, 01:46 PM

Well, as it turns out I have a friend who will gift me some used but useable leafs he took off his truck when he put on a 4-link so I think I am going mcgauheys 4.5/6 drop kit.

**N2TRUX** · 10-08-2010, 05:13 PM

One of my favorite philosophies is "Cheap is good, but free is better"....

10-07-2010, 06:53 PM	#1
WhatWouldSeanDo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Winchester, VA Posts: 10	Western Chassis lowering leafs plus what for 6" rear drop? I want to lower my 77 GMC stepside, and am leaning towards a 5/6 static drop. My stock 33 year old leaf springs are looking pretty crummy, so rather than swap them out for oem replacements I figure why not use the Western Chassis lowering leafs that are made to have a softer ride? WC offers them in 2 and 4 inch drops. I figure I would use the 2" lower leaf combined with a 4" flip kit or the 4" lower leaf with a 2" hanger. I don't even know if either of these is feasible, but if they are, I was looking for advice on which would be the preferred way to go? I may put a helper air bag on the back for the extremely rare cargo use, but the main goal of this truck is looking good, handling decent and making a damn fine tailgate party truck. So since my leafs need to be replaced, what's my best course of action for a static drop. I haven't ruled out bags completely, but I don't have any desire to go super low and I have a lot of other places where I could put the extra money into the truck. Any advice on the 4" drop for the front (I am leaning towards spindles after reading through this forum) is also appreciated. __________________ Sean Philips Unete a mi revolcuion! http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3882896

10-07-2010, 08:59 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,132	Re: Western Chassis lowering leafs plus what for 6" rear drop? Spindles w/a shorter coil up front. What makes you think the current leafs are requiring replacement? Mine are 36yrs old & still doing just fine. For 5-6" rear drop, I'd do a flip kit. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

10-07-2010, 09:03 PM	#3
WhatWouldSeanDo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Winchester, VA Posts: 10	Re: Western Chassis lowering leafs plus what for 6" rear drop? They have visible cracks. I am sure they would hold up for a while, but I'd rather replace them. __________________ Sean Philips Unete a mi revolcuion! http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3882896

10-07-2010, 10:18 PM	#5
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Western Chassis lowering leafs plus what for 6" rear drop? I agree with Scoti. I have always found it best to get as much "static" drop as possible. I prefer spindles over springs, and shackle, hanger, flip, etc over rear springs. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-08-2010, 01:46 PM	#6
WhatWouldSeanDo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Winchester, VA Posts: 10	Re: Western Chassis lowering leafs plus what for 6" rear drop? Well, as it turns out I have a friend who will gift me some used but useable leafs he took off his truck when he put on a 4-link so I think I am going mcgauheys 4.5/6 drop kit. __________________ Sean Philips Unete a mi revolcuion! http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3882896

10-08-2010, 05:13 PM	#7
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Western Chassis lowering leafs plus what for 6" rear drop? One of my favorite philosophies is "Cheap is good, but free is better".... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

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