My DJM flip kit install pics

[454HO]

I have edited the first few posts to add some step by step instruction. Scroll back up to the top and let me know if I screwed something up.

[beaterC10]

Originally Posted by C10 the GEM

Are the shock extenders necessary for only the stock shocks or do you need them for the aftermarket ones designed for the drop?

I have used shock extenders with both stock and drop shocks on my flip kit install. I started with Doetsche drop shocks and replaced them with stock shocks when I could no longer endure the ride from the drop shocks. No shock related issue after two years with stock shocks. I use my truck to tow and haul trash and building materials on a regular basis.

My vote is install the shock extenders and a decent set of stock shocks.

[Rob73-87]

Originally Posted by C10 the GEM

Are the shock extenders necessary for only the stock shocks or do you need them for the aftermarket ones designed for the drop?

Hello again,

I installed a flipkit from belltech and had to discover that there were no shock extenders in their kit ??!!

What should I do now ?

Should I buy some of another brand ? Or what do you think ?

I thought the stuff from the belltech guys should be pretty good and now this....?

thanks for your opinions,

Rob

[Slonaker]

I need to remove my rear bumpstops and the pedestal that holds them. Let us know how hard it is, and what method seems best (grinding, chiseling, etc.).

Slonaker

[lolife99]

454HO,... I've done at least 6 flip kits on 73-87 trucks and I've never drilled a hole. I've never removed the leaf spring centering pin (bolt). Normally the u-bolt plate straddles the bolt. (In the center of the plate where it dips down) I'm trying to figure out why you had to do that.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by lolife99

454HO,... I've done at least 6 flip kits on 73-87 trucks and I've never drilled a hole. I've never removed the leaf spring centering pin (bolt). Normally the u-bolt plate straddles the bolt. (In the center of the plate where it dips down) I'm trying to figure out why you had to do that.

Because the DJM instructions said to.

1 - The thickness of the DJM axle locator bracket is about 3/8". The height of the spring center bolt sticking thru the spring pack is about 1/2". If you do not remove and flip the spring center pin, then it will stick up thru the axle locating bracket. This may (or may not) cause interference with the axle tube.

2. Since the DJM axle locator bracket has an offset hole, the spring center bolt no longer lines up with the 'dip' that is in the stock spring plate. So the hole is needed to provide clearance.

What kit have you used? I would certainly like know if there is an easier way.

[454HO]

Just thought I would throw these pics into this thread as well. These are the DJM 3" drop lower control arms. I have the upper A-arms too. Sorry I don't have pics of the install, but it is a pretty simple remove and replace.











I'm still a few weeks away from getting the truck running, much less drivable. So hang tight on seeing the finished stance.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 454HO

Because the DJM instructions said to.

1 - The thickness of the DJM axle locator bracket is about 3/8". The height of the spring center bolt sticking thru the spring pack is about 1/2". If you do not remove and flip the spring center pin, then it will stick up thru the axle locating bracket. This may (or may not) cause interference with the axle tube.

2. Since the DJM axle locator bracket has an offset hole, the spring center bolt no longer lines up with the 'dip' that is in the stock spring plate. So the hole is needed to provide clearance.

What kit have you used? I would certainly like know if there is an easier way.

I have used DJM, Western, Belltech and even the old Stull kits from the 80's. I just rotate the lower u-bolt plate to put the center pin (bolt) in the dip of the lower plate. Torque the u-bolts and your done. The axle locator always has the hole towards the front of the truck to locate the rearend in the center of the wheelwell,... and save any driveshaft cutting. Most kits use the OEM u-bolt plate,... but some applications (from DJM) use an aftermarket u-bolt plate. The only flip kit I haven't done is the '07-'08 trucks,... and I'm doing one of those next week. Everything looks good with your install. Just the "hole" thing made me wonder,...

[454HO]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I just rotate the lower u-bolt plate to put the center pin (bolt) in the dip of the lower plate.

So you rotate the spring plate 90°?? I guess that would work as long as the U-bolts still go thru the holes.

[454HO]

Finally got the truck out of the shop and took a decent after pic.



It looks a little deceiving 'cause the ground slopes down toward the front of the truck. But that's the best I can do at the moment.

I added this pic to post 11 back on page 1 of this thread. You can see the before pics there too.

[Nolowrider]

I am going to bring this thread back to life (hopefully). Thank you 454HO for such a nice step by step.

I am trying to install the same kit. All went pretty well until I got to the shock extenders. My factory shock mount looks nothing like 454HO's on the first page. I don't have enough room to line drill the one hole in the factory mount, plus the DJM extenders just doesn't fit. Hmmmmmm

So I call DJM's tech support (real nice guy, which I didn't expect) and he tells he doesn't know why the extenders do not fit. I tell him that I have a 12 bolt rear axel (454HO's looks like a 10 bolt). Apparently the factory shock mounts are different for a 12 bolt and a 1o bolt. He goes on to tell me that he doesn't even thing a 12 bolt was offered in 1974. All I know is that the axel that is under it was there when I bought the truck out of the junk yard. I doubt anyone would change it on a stock truck. It is a 5 on 5 set-up, so I know it is a truck, just don't know what year.

Can I remove the top shock bolt and move it more towards the axel to make it more vertical, and not use the extenders? My total drop is going to be approx 8 inches total (5 inches from the flip and about 3 from the modified rear leaf hanger. I am doing the mini tub and c-knotch this weekend.

Take a look at 454HO's shock mount on step 6 and look at mine below. Hmmmm

Thanks for any help, I am puzzeled.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

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[kevinr1970]

Bringing this back from the dead.
I can't see the pictures from the 454HO's original post, but I think I just went through this same problem.
You said you replaced your rear-end so you worked around this problem, but what I think is that you had a 4x4 rear-end that someone swapped in 5-lug axles.

Originally Posted by Nolowrider

I got a different axel from a pull-a-part place and everything bolts up fine now. Never did figure out why my axel was different. I gave up on it and just put a different one in. Still waiting on rims rom Centerline, I am also going to throw some 4:10's in there. Thanks for asking.

Originally Posted by Nolowrider

Yep, my shock mounts are def different. Don't know why. I ordered a set of Nitro drop shocks last night, I may just have to go without the extenders and re-locate my top shock mount. Can't really do anything yet until I get my new rims (today hopefully). Once I get the c-notch, mini-tub cut I will be able to drop her back down on the ground and see where everything lines up.

Thank you to all that replied. You all have been very helpful.

Originally Posted by Nolowrider

I am going to bring this thread back to life (hopefully). Thank you 454HO for such a nice step by step.

I am trying to install the same kit. All went pretty well until I got to the shock extenders. My factory shock mount looks nothing like 454HO's on the first page. I don't have enough room to line drill the one hole in the factory mount, plus the DJM extenders just doesn't fit. Hmmmmmm

So I call DJM's tech support (real nice guy, which I didn't expect) and he tells he doesn't know why the extenders do not fit. I tell him that I have a 12 bolt rear axel (454HO's looks like a 10 bolt). Apparently the factory shock mounts are different for a 12 bolt and a 1o bolt. He goes on to tell me that he doesn't even thing a 12 bolt was offered in 1974. All I know is that the axel that is under it was there when I bought the truck out of the junk yard. I doubt anyone would change it on a stock truck. It is a 5 on 5 set-up, so I know it is a truck, just don't know what year.

Can I remove the top shock bolt and move it more towards the axel to make it more vertical, and not use the extenders? My total drop is going to be approx 8 inches total (5 inches from the flip and about 3 from the modified rear leaf hanger. I am doing the mini tub and c-knotch this weekend.

Take a look at 454HO's shock mount on step 6 and look at mine below. Hmmmm

Thanks for any help, I am puzzeled.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[moneyeater]

Looks like your headers will be very near to the street!Mine hang very low too we bent them upwards a little to clear the flange from scraping!
I´m curious how low yours will sit!

[benoit454]

I got a few questions...
how low do those front controal arms drop you up front?

Stock springs with them?

How much do they set ya back(cost)

Looks to me like your headers will run right under the crossmember. So...

What year is your truck because I wonder if my 84 is that way like yours because I wanna put on some long tubes but I'd hope the pipes could run straight back and not need bent. So is that stock crossmember? ANyone tell me if our 84 has same one, haven't climbed under there to check lately, and what headers do you have anyways?

[454HO]

Originally Posted by benoit454

I got a few questions...
how low do those front controal arms drop you up front?

Stock springs with them?

How much do they set ya back(cost)

Looks to me like your headers will run right under the crossmember. So...

What year is your truck because I wonder if my 84 is that way like yours because I wanna put on some long tubes but I'd hope the pipes could run straight back and not need bent. So is that stock crossmember? ANyone tell me if our 84 has same one, haven't climbed under there to check lately, and what headers do you have anyways?

You are getting off topic, but I will let you slide since I posted the pics.

Control arms are advertised 3" drop. Yes, stock springs for a small block. I have swapped in a big block though, so I don't know the actual drop yet. Need to finish up the engine before I can measure. Cost?? I bought them years ago... but I know they are considerably more expensive than drop spindles.

That is not the crossmember that came on this '86 truck. It's a double hump that I salvaged from my old '77 big block truck. The headers are Hedman Elites.

[lolife99]

No,... I just rotate the plate forwrd until the bolt falls in the "dip" of the factory u-bolt plate. The hole you drilled and the "dip" are only about an inch apart. Like I said,... what you did looks fine,.... I've just never had to do that. Keep the pics coming. And,... I like the big block!

[spr85gmc]

i feel like an idiot all of a sudden when i installed my flip kit it didnt have directions and none us had ever put a kit on any truck before, looking at your truck i just relized what those to parts were for they were shock extenders (im an idiot). so now i knw what im doing this weekend putting on my shock extenders................ woooooooooo hoooooooooooo for double work.

[slash crashley]

thanks for updating the thread with the play by play 454HO.

i just ordered my parts, this thread is going to be very helpful with the install.

[mexgrhd68]

that was some helpful info!!!!! keep it coming!

[mercman1951]

Any overall before and after pics? Looking good!

[454HO]

Sorry, not yet. I need to get some longer studs for the upper control arms.

[Square84]

to SPR85GMC ha ha very funny good stuff. as far as flip kit i used the western and it comes with new plate with 2 holes drilled in it to locate the rear axle didnt have to remove or replace leaf spring bolt and no drilling.

[C10 the GEM]

Is the western chassis flip kit a good product? Im looking to get the 5/7 inch lowering kit from them.

[Square84]

westerns kit is real nice new spring plates, u bolts, washers, aircraft nuts, and spring perches. all coated so they dont rust and for 50 dollars extra they throw in shock extenders.

[rustSpot]

Looks Good!