What is the easiest way to drop rear w/leaf spring

[ScottH]

Wanting to drop an 83 swb fleetside truck about 3/3 drop.
I will go springs in the front but not sure what is the easiest & least expensive way to drop the rear.

Also can I keep stock shocks with this drop?

Any info or suggestions r appreciated.

Thanks
Scott

[74 stepside]

3" drop spindle in front and new longer rear spring shackle. Once you drop it a couple inches, you will want to drop it more...

[tex_waco_usmc]

Not to hi-jack, more to add to this cause I am interested in the same: Where does one go about getting the drop shackles and hangers for the rear?

[ScottH]

Any other info would be appreciated.

Also curious about the shocks.

Thanks
Scott

[DREAMER1]

Option one is to rearrange your overload leaf to the top instead of the bottom of the pack. It'll give you a couple of inches that way. And you can still use your factory shocks. It rides ok, but you can't carry anything heavy.

Option 2 is a flip kit with shock extenders which will give you more inches, a better ride and you can load your truck the same way have been. (Recommended) about $90

Also recommend drop spindles instead of springs only to get 3"
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[f.monroe]

If your axle is still mounted under the leaf springs then moving the overload will not result in any drop at all. Only if you are running the axle on top of the springs ( flipped) will it add drop. The easiest way to get a three inch drop will be using hangers and shackles(3 or 4 inch drop) or you can buy drop springs that replace the factory spring packs to give a 3 or 4 inch drop. The drop leafs have become a little harder to find but I ran them on two trucks and loved them.
Frank
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[ScottH]

thanks guys!

[DREAMER1]

When I got my truck


After cutting one round on my front springs and rearranging the overload leaf at the rear. It does lower it. No where near as much as a flip kit or shackles and hangers, but the OP was only wanting a 3/3

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[Mikec10]

Originally Posted by 74 stepside

3" drop spindle in front and new longer rear spring shackle. Once you drop it a couple inches, you will want to drop it more...

Yeah x2 Lol

Bought my truck, couple months after put 2.5' spindles and 2.5" springs, shackle hanger kit removed a leaf or 2 dont remember... And now its getting bagged...

[ScottH]

dreamer1, how much did u cut off ur front springs to get that drop?
Also the truck I am getting had a 6 cyl in it originally, I am putting a sbc in it.
Will this affect the height as well?

[DREAMER1]

I cut exactly one coil off the spring. My truck came as a 6 from the factory, but somebody had already swapped in an 8 before I got it. I'm sure it effects ride height, but how much I don't kno.

I'm in the same boat as Mikec10...my trucks in the process of getting bags now too. Lol
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[f.monroe]

Originally Posted by DREAMER1

When I got my truck


After cutting one round on my front springs and rearranging the overload leaf at the rear. It does lower it. No where near as much as a flip kit or shackles and hangers, but the OP was only wanting a 3/3

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I see . You put the overload on top of the main spring. If I were going to move it then I would just take it out. The drop will be the thickness of the overload spring.
Frank
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