lower the back without losing any spring

[JointTech]

whats the best way to lower the back of my truck 2" without losing any load carrying ability? 72 C20. It has rear leafs. I searched around for a drop shackle and couldnt find one for our years...

so I could rearch my springs.

I could remove that thick short bottom leaf and get about an inch. I dont want to take out 2 leafs though.

I could throw about 500lbs. of concrete in the bed.

my front is perfect and i dont want to lift or lower it any.

[TBONE1964]

Move your rear spring hangers up on the frame. You may not get a whole 2 iinches but it will be close. You will not lose any springs and if done correctly, no one will know it was done.

This will require a lot of drilling so make sure your bits are sharp. You will need to replace the rivets with 7/16 course thread grade 8 bolts.

Good Luck

[garett]

I've got a 72 and the axle flip kit worked for me
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[JointTech]

I had heard the flip kit was more like 4 inches?

Ill take a look at raising the hangers. that sounds like a good idea.

[lolife99]

Drop shackle.
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...d-Shackle-Kit/

[JOJABOY]

I've put a ton of thought in this as well for my C20. Done a good bit of reading. The drop shackle only raises the spring on one end. Therefore, if you get a 2" drop shackle it will raise one side 2" and lower the truck about 1". Also, I have heard that 2" drop shackle will hit the bottom of the bed so you really need the 1 1/2" drop shackles that are sold by ECC or whoever.

If you raise the spring hanger in the front and put the drop shackle in the back, you can achieve what you are looking for. But like mentioned above, you will need support the truck frame, drop the axle, unbolt the leaf springs and then do some serious drilling to move the hanger up. Not sure how high you can move the hanger. never measured. But remember....you're only moving one side so it's only moving the center of the spring half the distance.

Lots of work, but will only cost you about $75 for shackles, bolts and drill bit.

[lolife99]

I always thought a 2" drop shackle what "lengthened enough",... to achieve a 2" drop at the rear axle.
Are you saying that the shackle is only 2" longer than stock?

[JOJABOY]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I always thought a 2" drop shackle what "lengthened enough",... to achieve a 2" drop at the rear axle.
Are you saying that the shackle is only 2" longer than stock?

Yes. Not a 2" drop. Just a 2" longer shackle.

[JOJABOY]

There is a 1 1/2" shackle sold for $65 that won't hit the bottom of the bed. If you raise the front hanger 1 1/2" and pull the short helper spring, you will get the full 2" drop desired and won't loose much in the load capacity.

[lolife99]

I was thinking the drop shackles I put on a 73-87 truck years ago were alot longer than the stock shackles.
(almost twice as long)
The stock shackles are actually pretty short.

[JOJABOY]

earlyclassic.com has the correct 2 1/4" spring drop shackles that drop the rear of the leaf spring 1 1/2" for $59. I just went to their site.

My friend fabricated some shackles for his '86 Blazer and they were pretty long. There is more clearance in from frame to body in those years.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I was thinking the drop shackles I put on a 73-87 truck years ago were alot longer than the stock shackles.
(almost twice as long)
The stock shackles are actually pretty short.

They were, you're not getting Alzheimer's. They net you a full 2 inch drop. I never measured how much longer they were than stock ones, but I sure measured ride height before and after. They're true to advertising with the overall drop numbers.
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[JointTech]

so c10 and c20 in 72 both had 2.25" wide springs?

[JointTech]

this guy on fleabay has them and I asked if they are the same. he says yes.
Ill check around now that I know they are all 2.25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171014859217...S:1123&vxp=mtr

edit. just saw that ebay store is the same guy linked originally

[JointTech]

I just measured the wheel clearance. I have 4" from the ridge on the tire to the wheel well in the front. I have 7" in the back.

so to really level it I need 3".

But then I was thinking if I do 3" and then put 500lbs in the bed its going to look like one of the landscapers trucks

So I think 1.5-2 inches would be perfect. Im going to get the shackles from performace online unless somebody knows of some US made ones?

If that doesnt take it down quite enough Ill pull the bottom short leaf.

I think this is going to be one of those 3 hour jobs that turns into a weekend

this is it by the way

[JOJABOY]

earlyclassic.com has the shackles for $59 for the 1 1/2" shackles. I heard that the 2" drop shackles will rub the bottom of the bed floor. (just what I have heard).

Is your truck sitting on 20" wheels?

[JointTech]

yea those are 275/55r20s
ill check out earlyclassics.