Po' Folks Lowering kit.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BuckMaster · 05-03-2009, 11:06 AM

Should I do it? That is... Heat the springs and remove leafs?

Anybody done it? How bad does it ride? My truck just sits way too high for a 2wd.

sjarrett71 · 05-03-2009, 11:49 AM

I haven't done it but have driven a truck with cut front coils and heated rears. It sat lower to the ground and the ride wasn't bad.

**Boog** · 05-03-2009, 11:58 AM

Buck welcome to the boards. If you do a search you can find literally hours of reading on the subject of lowering these trucks. Opinions are strong on both sides of how to correctly do it. Drop springs aren't all that expensive these days nor are drop spindles. It is pretty much agreed upon that heating the springs is a bad idea, cutting them however is ok to a point. This only applies to the front springs as the rear ones cannot be cut due to the pigtailed ends on them. Read up and then decide.

Skirkpat · 05-03-2009, 11:59 AM

Heating springs will get you a bad ride, alignment problems, and probably safety issues...do a search, this question gets asked once a month at least. Do it right, if you can't afford to do it right, I would think twice about doing it at all ? A little more than half the guys will say to cut the fronts, I am a little anal about backyard/shade tree changes to suspenions, I would spend a hundred dollars and buy drop springs.

63 & 64 Bowties · 05-03-2009, 12:42 PM

what they said.
Do a search and you'll find all kinds of ideas/opinions. And, welcome. What part of VA are you in?
Here's my 63 with 1.75 coils cut up front and 70's Chevelle springs in the rear.

Jim Osborne · 05-03-2009, 01:45 PM

When you said remove leafs does that mean your truck has rear leaf spring,if so thats pretty rare on short wheel base truck,and is that traction bars I see

71swb4x4 · 05-03-2009, 02:04 PM

When working with the suspension I am a big fan of doing it "right". There are more people on the road then just you.
That being said, removing a leaf or two can be done safely. You might also want to call a local shop and see what is costs to dearch the springs. And, I would cut the front springs and not heat them. Make sure you get it aligned after you mess with the front springs.

jbristo · 05-03-2009, 04:26 PM

never heat your springs cutting them is ok but I would never heat them

BuckMaster · 05-03-2009, 08:56 PM

Ok so no heating... Got it. Thanks guys...

And yes Jim Osborne, I do have leafs in the rear, I've tried to figure it out. I've thought maybe I had a c-20 frame... I have no idea. How rare is it? Was it just an option? I know very little about the history of these trucks.

And yes those are traction bars, but my leafs are on top of my axle, so they serve no purpose. Just looks.

dave2953 · 05-03-2009, 09:17 PM

I believe GMC's had factory rear leafs and Chevy's had springs, but you could get either truck with either suspension if you ordered it that way. It possible that it could be a factory option.

BuckMaster · 05-03-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave2953

I believe GMC's had factory rear leafs and Chevy's had springs, but you could get either truck with either suspension if you ordered it that way. It possible that it could be a factory option.

I spoke with the guy that put this truck together back in the day... He said it used to be show quality(not that way when I bought it). But anyway he told me that they used 3 different trucks to build it... a 196X GMC 196X Chevy and a 1969 chevy, and bam... there you have it...

So with the info you provided me, I would say I have a GMC suspension, which is cool because I like GMC better

( I have no idea why either)

BTW the owners manual in my Glove box says Owners and Drivers Manual GMC Trucks.

*MonteSS454* · 05-03-2009, 10:39 PM

DJM Suspension makes a rear flip kit for the rear leafs, puts the axle on top of the leafs for a 5" drop in the rear.

2fly4u2c · 08-17-2009, 10:58 AM

Drop springs are ok but I have a 65 gmc with drop springs on front and the left spring is rubbing against the upper cavity and hard knocking noise on right turns!

dieselarmy13 · 08-17-2009, 11:56 AM

I have cut coils and drop spindles in the front, with a flip kit and a couple of leafs removed in the rear, with no problems. There's pics in my build thread in my signature. And rear leafs weren't that rare, just an option.

mclairmo · 08-17-2009, 12:04 PM

You can cut the coils and remove a leaf or two without creating a safety issue. You will have no load carrying capability but if you do not need it then go for it. Never heat anything.

cdowns · 08-17-2009, 12:11 PM

i heat stuff up in the microwave all the time no springs tho

69lemans · 08-17-2009, 12:53 PM

My truck sat up just about like yours when I got it. I cut 1 complete coil out of the front springs,and in the rear I removed the thick overload spring and installed extended shackles. The shackles would have lowered it 2 inches but were too long and would have rubbed the bottom of the bed floor if I had used them as is,so I had to cut about an inch off the length and use the lower holes

before and after pics

05-03-2009, 11:06 AM	#1
BuckMaster Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 16	Po' Folks Lowering kit.... Should I do it? That is... Heat the springs and remove leafs? Anybody done it? How bad does it ride? My truck just sits way too high for a 2wd.

05-03-2009, 11:49 AM	#2
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... I haven't done it but have driven a truck with cut front coils and heated rears. It sat lower to the ground and the ride wasn't bad. __________________ -Scott-

05-03-2009, 11:58 AM	#3
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,441	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... Buck welcome to the boards. If you do a search you can find literally hours of reading on the subject of lowering these trucks. Opinions are strong on both sides of how to correctly do it. Drop springs aren't all that expensive these days nor are drop spindles. It is pretty much agreed upon that heating the springs is a bad idea, cutting them however is ok to a point. This only applies to the front springs as the rear ones cannot be cut due to the pigtailed ends on them. Read up and then decide. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

05-03-2009, 11:59 AM	#4
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... Heating springs will get you a bad ride, alignment problems, and probably safety issues...do a search, this question gets asked once a month at least. Do it right, if you can't afford to do it right, I would think twice about doing it at all ? A little more than half the guys will say to cut the fronts, I am a little anal about backyard/shade tree changes to suspenions, I would spend a hundred dollars and buy drop springs.

05-03-2009, 12:42 PM	#5
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... what they said. Do a search and you'll find all kinds of ideas/opinions. And, welcome. What part of VA are you in? Here's my 63 with 1.75 coils cut up front and 70's Chevelle springs in the rear. __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

05-03-2009, 01:45 PM	#6
Jim Osborne Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Crumpler, North Carolina Posts: 93	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... When you said remove leafs does that mean your truck has rear leaf spring,if so thats pretty rare on short wheel base truck,and is that traction bars I see

05-03-2009, 02:04 PM	#7
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... When working with the suspension I am a big fan of doing it "right". There are more people on the road then just you. That being said, removing a leaf or two can be done safely. You might also want to call a local shop and see what is costs to dearch the springs. And, I would cut the front springs and not heat them. Make sure you get it aligned after you mess with the front springs. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

05-03-2009, 04:26 PM	#8
jbristo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock TX Posts: 1	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... never heat your springs cutting them is ok but I would never heat them

05-03-2009, 08:56 PM	#9
BuckMaster Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 16	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... Ok so no heating... Got it. Thanks guys... And yes Jim Osborne, I do have leafs in the rear, I've tried to figure it out. I've thought maybe I had a c-20 frame... I have no idea. How rare is it? Was it just an option? I know very little about the history of these trucks. And yes those are traction bars, but my leafs are on top of my axle, so they serve no purpose. Just looks. Last edited by BuckMaster; 05-03-2009 at 08:58 PM.

05-03-2009, 09:17 PM	#10
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... I believe GMC's had factory rear leafs and Chevy's had springs, but you could get either truck with either suspension if you ordered it that way. It possible that it could be a factory option. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

05-03-2009, 10:39 PM	#12
MonteSS454 Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 821	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... DJM Suspension makes a rear flip kit for the rear leafs, puts the axle on top of the leafs for a 5" drop in the rear.

08-17-2009, 10:58 AM	#13
2fly4u2c Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: greer,S.C. Posts: 8	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... Drop springs are ok but I have a 65 gmc with drop springs on front and the left spring is rubbing against the upper cavity and hard knocking noise on right turns! Last edited by 2fly4u2c; 08-17-2009 at 10:59 AM.

08-17-2009, 11:56 AM	#14
dieselarmy13 Phone's ringin Dude. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,426	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... I have cut coils and drop spindles in the front, with a flip kit and a couple of leafs removed in the rear, with no problems. There's pics in my build thread in my signature. And rear leafs weren't that rare, just an option. __________________ I pitty the fool with only two headlights!! 2003 SILVERADO SS--THE NEW GIRL 1972 GMC--THE OLD GIRL

08-17-2009, 12:04 PM	#15
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... You can cut the coils and remove a leaf or two without creating a safety issue. You will have no load carrying capability but if you do not need it then go for it. Never heat anything.

08-17-2009, 12:11 PM	#16
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... i heat stuff up in the microwave all the time no springs tho __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY



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08-17-2009, 12:53 PM	#17
69lemans Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: simpsonville,sc Posts: 417	Re: Po' Folks Lowering kit.... My truck sat up just about like yours when I got it. I cut 1 complete coil out of the front springs,and in the rear I removed the thick overload spring and installed extended shackles. The shackles would have lowered it 2 inches but were too long and would have rubbed the bottom of the bed floor if I had used them as is,so I had to cut about an inch off the length and use the lower holes before and after pics Attached Images

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