Homemade shackle/hanger drop?

[joe6pack]

Hello fellow Chevy lovers
I have searched the forums but have not found the answers I need
I know a shackle/hanger drop is easy/straight forward with any of the many kits available but...
I have decided to make my 1978 Big 10 SWB more pro street and less pro farm!
I will be swapping a 454/TH400 in place of the stock 250/granny -which I have started a post about
Now to the matter at hand: what is the prevailing wisdom on doing a homemade shackle/hanger drop?
I have been welding frames and trailers for years without any problems
What is the difference between a $220 kit and moving my hangers and making my own shackle extentions?
I am a cheapskate foremost and second I think it would be fairly easy to do
Any advice from anyone who has done this drop would be appreciated

[mongoose]

have you done or even thought about a flipping it?

cant get much cheaper than a 5 buck spring perch.

[joe6pack]

I've been told you need to c-notch for a flip -that's why I was going conservative with the shackle/hanger

[mongoose]

if you lower it enough, you'll need a notch either way.

[flamingbig10]

no you'll be fine as long as the leaf spring aren't weak or altered or both, and the bump stop will needed to be removed

[joe6pack]

Well the flip sounds simple enough
I have the Big 10 (3/4 ton springs)
Is there a good step by step tech thread (with photos)
I know you basically bolt it together then set pinion angle and weld
Do you just re-drill the new $5 perches for the bolt off-set?
I will do some more searching to try to find out myself but if there is a link please let me know
Thanks

[kevinr1970]

I have seen a few posts lately with people saying they don't want to notch the frame?
I uderstood one where the guy might want to go back to all stock parts eventually. But I don't understand why people that are planning to modify there trucks (some quite extensively) do not want to do the notch?

I ass/u/me they are picturing the trucks that can lay-out that have all the clearance cut into the bed floor?

A proper notch to give enough room for a flip kit or even a little more does not require any cutting into the bed floor.
And I think a good notch would not affect the integrity of the frame either.

Not railing on anyone, just trying to help someone that might have the wrong idea about what is required and what the ramifications are of a notch.

[joe6pack]

If I wanted to lay frame I would start with airbags/truck arms and cut everything out of the way like the taildraggers
I just want less of a farm truck look with the 15" wheels
I have some Appliance (fake Cragars) with 295/50/15 rubber but they would look even more ridiculous without lowering the rear quite a bit

[Driveway Dreams]

I would say flip it. I did mine, bought the perches from summit for like $15. Its a straight forward project. Like you said, bolt it all together (tight, but loose enough to move things if needed.) Set your angles, tack your perches, pull it apart, weld it up. CHANGE DIFF. FLUID! As far as not notching it, I am out on that issue. I notched mine because I don't like the idea of frame vs axle housing with our lovely roads here in CO.

[joe6pack]

I just went through 454HO's flip kit install on his signature
It expained the process pretty well
Now I don't know if I should waste time with shackles/hangers
or just go for the flip kit from the start/weld my own perches
There are many trailer supply shops around here
Do I just get 3" perches and drill a hole 1" offset?
Thank you all for help making up my mind -I'm down with the flu right now and the fever and Nyquil may be clouding my judgement
I managed to crawl out and take this pic -that is a dishwasher in the back -not a tool box
I will most likely do the engine+trans swap before the lowering
I also have a very good pair of power doors(white) to put on
It was hauled out of a river back in 1978 -the cab and floors need some help

[Driveway Dreams]

Looks like a soild starter. The perches I got had a hole in then i just had to drill them out to clear the spring pack bolts. ...And yes, 3" axle tubes.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by joe6pack

I just went through 454HO's flip kit install on his signature It expained the process pretty well

Thanks, glad you found it useful.

Originally Posted by joe6pack

Do I just get 3" perches and drill a hole 1" offset?

That's probably what I would do if I were to ever do it again. The offset hole is supposed to move the whole axle back. The istructions said it was to keep the wheel centered in the wheel well, and also to keep the driveshaft slip yoke from bottoming out. If you are swapping the whole drivetrain, I would suggest getting a custom driveshaft built anyway.