lowering longbed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gramps77 · 01-31-2013, 08:42 AM

How should I lower my 77 longbed WITHOUT having to swap out the driveshaft to a one piece? I dont want to dump the truck. In fact, Id be happy with a 2" drop all around. although 2 up front and 3 in the rear would be even better

northeimcustom · 01-31-2013, 11:16 AM

Flip kit and spindles and coils

gramps77 · 01-31-2013, 12:31 PM

That would result in a 5/6 drop wouldnt it?
I guess my question is more how to do a 2/3 and if that would still require going to a one piece driveshaft as I have read.
Is going to hangars and only using the first 1" drop hole going to be beyond not having to swap the driveshaft?
I'm already assuming spindles for the front but not sure if there is much difference between bell tech, DJM, CPP etc.......by the way its also the heavy half ton with larger brakes and more leafs

Ziegelsteinfaust · 01-31-2013, 01:08 PM

Lowering springs front, or spindles.

Shackle in the rear for 2".

For 3" I think you need to flip the rear, and use a lift shackle.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 01-31-2013, 01:14 PM

On a 3" drop I don't think you'd need to do much to your DS.

I have a C20 long bed, and even if I dropped my rear down 8" All I would have to do is drill new holes to move my carrier bearing back 1 inch. I have plenty of room on my youke for that for some reason.

Square_78 · 02-01-2013, 08:45 AM

Theres no need to swap your driveshaft no matter how much you lower it. Flip kit will lower it 6"+. Mine came down 8" in the back with a flip kit and 4 degree shims, but I also went from 3/4 ton leafs to 1/2 ton leafs. Mine is borderline needing the carrier bearing raised up. When i notch the frame and bag it, I will have to do the carrier as well.

Keith Seymore · 02-01-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Square_78

Theres no need to swap your driveshaft no matter how much you lower it.

Agree.

I'd cut the coils in the front and relocated the spring hangers on the rear.

K

gramps77 · 02-01-2013, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Square_78

Theres no need to swap your driveshaft no matter how much you lower it. Flip kit will lower it 6"+. Mine came down 8" in the back with a flip kit and 4 degree shims, but I also went from 3/4 ton leafs to 1/2 ton leafs. Mine is borderline needing the carrier bearing raised up. When i notch the frame and bag it, I will have to do the carrier as well.

hmmm, why do I remember reading somewhere that once you went lower than a shackle drop it was advisable to change over to a one piece? Alrighty then, I guess I can proceed without to much worry then. Got some Bell Tech shackles to try on first. See where the level look leaves me and go on from there, Thanks guys

cory d · 02-01-2013, 07:16 PM

im dropped like 8+ in the rear with a 2 peice. you just have to modify the carrier bearing hanger. i would just chop a coil in the front. drop shackle in the back and remove 1 or 2 of the shorter leafs

wraprail · 02-03-2013, 05:15 AM

It's just a bad idea...Don't do it...

rs72z · 02-03-2013, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wraprail

It's just a bad idea...Don't do it...

What's a bad idea? Lowering?

I lowered my dually 5/7 and stayed with the two piece shaft, no problems.

bigd65 · 02-03-2013, 10:00 AM

I put the drop shackles on the rear of my LWB and one day WHEN I HAVE THE TIME, I'm going to cut a coil from the front. Might just buy the lowering springs though
Posted via Mobile Device

01-31-2013, 08:42 AM	#1
gramps77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Plumas Lake, CA Posts: 386	lowering longbed How should I lower my 77 longbed WITHOUT having to swap out the driveshaft to a one piece? I dont want to dump the truck. In fact, Id be happy with a 2" drop all around. although 2 up front and 3 in the rear would be even better

01-31-2013, 11:16 AM	#2
northeimcustom Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 291	Re: lowering longbed Flip kit and spindles and coils

01-31-2013, 12:31 PM	#3
gramps77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Plumas Lake, CA Posts: 386	Re: lowering longbed That would result in a 5/6 drop wouldnt it? I guess my question is more how to do a 2/3 and if that would still require going to a one piece driveshaft as I have read. Is going to hangars and only using the first 1" drop hole going to be beyond not having to swap the driveshaft? I'm already assuming spindles for the front but not sure if there is much difference between bell tech, DJM, CPP etc.......by the way its also the heavy half ton with larger brakes and more leafs Last edited by gramps77; 01-31-2013 at 12:39 PM.

01-31-2013, 01:08 PM	#4
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,578	Re: lowering longbed Lowering springs front, or spindles. Shackle in the rear for 2". For 3" I think you need to flip the rear, and use a lift shackle.

01-31-2013, 01:14 PM	#5
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,578	Re: lowering longbed On a 3" drop I don't think you'd need to do much to your DS. I have a C20 long bed, and even if I dropped my rear down 8" All I would have to do is drill new holes to move my carrier bearing back 1 inch. I have plenty of room on my youke for that for some reason.

02-01-2013, 08:45 AM	#6
Square_78 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada Posts: 1,237	Re: lowering longbed Theres no need to swap your driveshaft no matter how much you lower it. Flip kit will lower it 6"+. Mine came down 8" in the back with a flip kit and 4 degree shims, but I also went from 3/4 ton leafs to 1/2 ton leafs. Mine is borderline needing the carrier bearing raised up. When i notch the frame and bag it, I will have to do the carrier as well. __________________ #teamlongbed "I refuse to go disc brakes. I actually love drum brakes. It makes for an adventure." - 50bomb 1978 Chevy shop truck - static 6/8" 1970 GMC 1500 - Accuair eLevel Resto-mod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537497

02-01-2013, 07:16 PM	#9
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: lowering longbed im dropped like 8+ in the rear with a 2 peice. you just have to modify the carrier bearing hanger. i would just chop a coil in the front. drop shackle in the back and remove 1 or 2 of the shorter leafs __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

02-03-2013, 05:15 AM	#10
wraprail Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 863	Re: lowering longbed It's just a bad idea...Don't do it...

02-03-2013, 10:00 AM	#12
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Lake Jackson, TX. Posts: 1,930	Re: lowering longbed I put the drop shackles on the rear of my LWB and one day WHEN I HAVE THE TIME, I'm going to cut a coil from the front. Might just buy the lowering springs though Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab (Dark Spiral Gray)



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