My DJM flip kit install pics

[Rob73-87]

er, .. I do use shorter shocks (drop shocks) from Summitracing....

[GMBowtie79]

I've been running a Bell Tech flip with Nitro Drop shocks in my Burb without shock extenders for about 4 years now with no problems.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by Anthony Fremont

Cool 454HO, why did you choose drop A-arms over drop spindles? Is there an advantage?

I already had them... leftovers from a previous project. No real advantage that I have found from a performance perspective. But they do come loaded with new ball joints and bushings, so may be worth it if your original control arms are trashed for some reason. Spindles are definately more cost effective if you are not doing a complete front end rebuild.

[454HO]

I finally got the truck running good enough to drive it over to the wash pad and give it a rinse off. Since the camera happened to be in the truck, I snapped a few more pics. Hope you enjoy them.











In case this thread is new to you, this drop uses all DJM components with 3" control arms on the front and a basic flip kit in the rear.

[COMP]

looks good

[BaddBusa2005]

Looks real good, that is just a control are drop on the front with a flip kit rear? No shackles?


What size tires are on it?

[tommyd241]

Looks good. I'm thinking that is the route I will take when drop my 68 with rear leafs.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by BaddBusa2005

Looks real good, that is just a control are drop on the front with a flip kit rear? No shackles?


What size tires are on it?

From a previous post, these tires are 275/60 x 15, and the rims are 8" wide with 4.5" backspace. I will be replacing these soon though because they have flat spots from sitting so long. I've got some ImpalaSS rims I may use, they are 8.5 x 17. If I do, I'll probably go with Impala tire size which is 255/50 x 17. Unfortunately tire size choices in a 17" is rather limited.

And yes, 3" control arms in front and flip kit in rear. Front may look a little lower 'cause I threw a big block in too. Originally it had a 305.

[BaddBusa2005]

I had the impala ss wheels on my truck for a while and sold them on account of the size choices. They do look good on the trucks though.

[Rooster's82]

I might have missed it somewhere in this thread....but a flip kit will drop the rear 5" how much do you have to drop the front to get it sitting level? Is it possible to use drop springs to accomplish this? or do you have to use spindles? I am leary of tearing into my front suspension...all i have are hand tools.

[copperchevy]

Rooster, 3" drop spindles will level out the front with a 5" rear drop. I've noticed that 3" lowering springs tend to sag after a year or two on the side the most weight is on. Thats why alot of people go with a combination of drop spindles and springs to lower the front.

[Rooster's82]

Originally Posted by copperchevy

Rooster, 3" drop spindles will level out the front with a 5" rear drop. I've noticed that 3" lowering springs tend to sag after a year or two on the side the most weight is on. Thats why alot of people go with a combination of drop spindles and springs to lower the front.

So that means it can be done! But i'm better off just putting in the spindles...can it be done with regular hand tools? i thought there was some stuff you have to use a pneumatic chisel to get apart?

[GMBowtie79]

Yes you can do it with hand tools here is a link that might help you. I just did the spindles on my 74 a couple weeks ago with just hand tools.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...pindle+removal

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by Rooster's82

So that means it can be done! But i'm better off just putting in the spindles...can it be done with regular hand tools? i thought there was some stuff you have to use a pneumatic chisel to get apart?

the chisel if i remember corectly is for the ball joint. but ive always just banged on the spindle where it sits and it will pop out. dunno

[rustSpot]

Looks Good!

[killthewabbit]

Sits great dude. Good job.

[chevymotocross]

I like it! The DJM 3/5 kit (spindles, not the lca which you have used), is fairly inexpensive. I'm looking to do the flip kit, as you have done, but I think for the front, I'm going to opt to go a bit lower, maybe with the addition of 1'' drop coils. Yours is pretty level, but it seems like the front may have just a tad more gap than the rear.

[454HO]

Thanks guys. As I mentioned before, I dropped in a 454 BB and 4l80e transmission at the same time I did the drop. I'm sure this added at least a couple hundred pounds to the front of the truck. So that probably makes it sit a tad lower than it would if I still had the 305 SB and TH350 in it.

Also, I put Monroe air shocks in the back. I think they have about 10psi in them for these pics. I don't think that is enough to jack up the rear any, but it did stiffen it up just a bit.

Once I get a few more things fixed so I can drive the truck on the streets, I will see how it rides. If the front feels too mushy with the SB springs, I have a pair of Western Chassis 1.5" drop springs I can try. If that drops it too low, I may have to buy some stock BB springs. Time will tell.

[Nolowrider]

I am going to bring this thread back to life (hopefully). Thank you 454HO for such a nice step by step.

I am trying to install the same kit. All went pretty well until I got to the shock extenders. My factory shock mount looks nothing like 454HO's on the first page. I don't have enough room to line drill the one hole in the factory mount, plus the DJM extenders just doesn't fit. Hmmmmmm

So I call DJM's tech support (real nice guy, which I didn't expect) and he tells he doesn't know why the extenders do not fit. I tell him that I have a 12 bolt rear axel (454HO's looks like a 10 bolt). Apparently the factory shock mounts are different for a 12 bolt and a 1o bolt. He goes on to tell me that he doesn't even thing a 12 bolt was offered in 1974. All I know is that the axel that is under it was there when I bought the truck out of the junk yard. I doubt anyone would change it on a stock truck. It is a 5 on 5 set-up, so I know it is a truck, just don't know what year.

Can I remove the top shock bolt and move it more towards the axel to make it more vertical, and not use the extenders? My total drop is going to be approx 8 inches total (5 inches from the flip and about 3 from the modified rear leaf hanger. I am doing the mini tub and c-knotch this weekend.

Take a look at 454HO's shock mount on step 6 and look at mine below. Hmmmm

Thanks for any help, I am puzzeled.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Cherub]

I have no clue but good luck im sure someone more experianced will chime in.

[Nolowrider]

Anyone else have any ideas? I can't cut my mini-tub until I get this shock thing figured out. MAy have to shop around the salvage yards for a different axle.

[bigblock73]

You do not need shock enxtenders...just buy dropped shocks and bolt them on like factory.

[bigblock73]

FYI - 12 bolts came standard in 1/2 tons until 82 I believe.

[454HO]

I've got a 12-bolt rear in my storage unit. If I get a chance I'll run by and snap a pic of the shock mounts.

[Nolowrider]

Thanks guys for the advice.

454HO-If you could do that it would be great.