04-02-2009, 12:18 AM | #1 |
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Leaf Spring Drop???
How do you drop a leaf spring truck, without doing a coil swap? Anyone used the drop springs from Early classic Enterprises~http://www.earlyclassic.com/?
Can you take individual leaf's out or is that not a good idea? Any Pics guys?
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Mitch 22yrs. Young 1970 GMC Short-Step 350/TH350 Combo. . . . Sold Dec 2011 Current Project 68 Gmc "Second Chance" Go to my 68 GMC Shorty Rebuild Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post6341739 |
04-02-2009, 12:23 AM | #2 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Not a good idea to take out leafs, as it could possible buckle in the rear.
DJM Suspension makes an axle flip kit for these. 5" in the rear and you can go to 6" with a 1" lowering block or 7" with a 2" block. http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.as...tfamilyid=3339 |
04-02-2009, 12:26 AM | #3 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Thanks MonteSS454, Anyone else?
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Mitch 22yrs. Young 1970 GMC Short-Step 350/TH350 Combo. . . . Sold Dec 2011 Current Project 68 Gmc "Second Chance" Go to my 68 GMC Shorty Rebuild Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post6341739 |
04-02-2009, 12:29 AM | #4 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
How far do you want to go. They are pretty simple just a lot more work than the coil drops.let me know how far and I will tell you what you need
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04-02-2009, 12:35 AM | #5 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-72...3A1|240%3A1318
Tad bit cheaper. If you end up with this kit let me know how the install goes. I've just been putting off buying it. Last edited by MonteSS454; 04-02-2009 at 12:36 AM. |
04-02-2009, 12:42 AM | #6 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I don't really know maybe 4 or 5
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Mitch 22yrs. Young 1970 GMC Short-Step 350/TH350 Combo. . . . Sold Dec 2011 Current Project 68 Gmc "Second Chance" Go to my 68 GMC Shorty Rebuild Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post6341739 |
04-02-2009, 12:43 AM | #7 | |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Quote:
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Mitch 22yrs. Young 1970 GMC Short-Step 350/TH350 Combo. . . . Sold Dec 2011 Current Project 68 Gmc "Second Chance" Go to my 68 GMC Shorty Rebuild Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post6341739 |
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04-02-2009, 12:45 AM | #8 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Basically put the axle on the leafs, with the right hardware anyways
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04-02-2009, 12:48 AM | #9 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Yeah, do u think that'd be easier than buying and installing the drop leaf's, I know it would probably be cheaper.
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Mitch 22yrs. Young 1970 GMC Short-Step 350/TH350 Combo. . . . Sold Dec 2011 Current Project 68 Gmc "Second Chance" Go to my 68 GMC Shorty Rebuild Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post6341739 |
04-02-2009, 12:50 AM | #10 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Leafs are a pain to mess with when the aren't bolted in. Took me and another buddy (About 350lb total) to get one of my leafs back into place after changing a shackle.
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04-02-2009, 01:24 AM | #11 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
A good friend of mine took out every other leaf then proceeded to put a pumped up 454 in and run low 11s at the track in a 70 lwb without the springs giving him any trouble with buckling or breaking if anything the added flex improved the ride and helped it hook up.... just something to think about if your budgets as tight as mine right now.
Last edited by fjthompsoniii; 04-02-2009 at 01:25 AM. Reason: mis spell |
04-02-2009, 01:49 AM | #12 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I notice the kits described in the links above specify 1/2 ton. What about 3/4 ton ? I have a nice 3/4 ton 72 Sierra that would look really good if it's tail wasn't 3 feet off the ground.
Papa Smurf
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04-02-2009, 02:07 AM | #13 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I don't think there would be much differences in the 2 rear ends, same axle housing sizes, leafs, etc......Maybe someone else can chime in on this one.
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04-02-2009, 02:13 AM | #14 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
flip the axle and take out a leaf or two if its too high. Ive done several that way without a problem.
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04-02-2009, 02:43 AM | #15 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
4 is a more difficult drop than 5. 5 is easy it is a simple flip. 4 you will need shackles and hangers and if they are riveted to the frame they are not much fun but the shackles are easy. Good thing about these trucks is you don't have a gas tank to fight with when changing out your hangers.
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1967 SWB C10 396/400 factory air factory tach (sadly had to send to a new home) 1986 Honda 70 Fourtrax 1991 Chevrolet K5 blazer 2wd 1982 Mastercraft Pro Star 190 Stars and Stripes 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 2011 Nissan Armada |
04-02-2009, 09:07 AM | #16 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I've been using these for the past 3 years on my Longhorn. They work great I have the 5 inch with 2 inch drop shckles:
http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...cat=782&page=1
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04-02-2009, 10:16 AM | #17 | |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Quote:
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04-02-2009, 01:20 PM | #18 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
My truck was done by PO. Its leafs. Flipped axle on top and c-notched. Works great but rides rough.
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04-02-2009, 02:18 PM | #19 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
Your front end needs to come down a little bit
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1967 SWB C10 396/400 factory air factory tach (sadly had to send to a new home) 1986 Honda 70 Fourtrax 1991 Chevrolet K5 blazer 2wd 1982 Mastercraft Pro Star 190 Stars and Stripes 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 2011 Nissan Armada |
04-02-2009, 02:53 PM | #20 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I don't want to hijack your thread,but maybe somebody could answer this:instead of buying the aftermarket extended shackles,would it be safe to weld a couple straps up the sides of the factory shackles and relocate the holes? I think with that and by taking out the thickest spring yiu could get it about 3" lower
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04-29-2009, 04:08 PM | #21 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
For those that have done a leaf spring flip (5 inches), have you had any trouble with the rear shocks? Did you put in a shock re-locater kit and/or install a C-notch? Thanks!
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04-29-2009, 04:10 PM | #22 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I'd like to know this also, I think I may do the flip too. . .
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Mitch 22yrs. Young 1970 GMC Short-Step 350/TH350 Combo. . . . Sold Dec 2011 Current Project 68 Gmc "Second Chance" Go to my 68 GMC Shorty Rebuild Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post6341739 |
04-29-2009, 08:50 PM | #23 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
You could always go with the shackles for the 2 in and then have the leaves rearched for the rest of it. I have a 67 1/2 ton that i am going to pull leaves out of, but I am going to go off of my sring guys advice and pull what he says so I dont have issues. He's been in buisness for 40+ and also makes custom leaf springs and hangers.
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04-29-2009, 08:57 PM | #24 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I've taken leafs out on my '68 half ton with no problem. I dont haul anything in it except for a cooler. It still rides good. Only problem is i want to lower it more in the rear but dont want to take out anymore leafs. Oh well.
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04-29-2009, 10:00 PM | #25 |
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Re: Leaf Spring Drop???
I bought the 4 inch drop leafs that are actually a reverse eye on the rear mount. They are designed to ride as stock. They bolted up very nicely, just jacked up the rear frame and unbolted each side individually. It took all of an hour and a half total but my bed was off. Used drop spindles in front for a nice stance.
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