Lowering my gmc, flip kit too low, shackles not enough, cant decide how!!!

[Root_Drum_Co]

Ok so, I wanna get my altitude problem solved. I dont want to slam it, but I want it noticably lower but id love to spend very little money. I can weld and my lieutenant at work runs a metal-fab shop on the side if i need any pro help.
so here’s my issue....

Im worried a flip kit will get me too low for my particular truck and I think that shackles alone won’t get me low enough. I have 1” lowering springs from BrothersTrucks on the front currently and removed the coil helpers from the back with plain shocks in their place. I think im going to try to cut the original springs in the front first and get the front how I’m envisioning first then work on getting the back evened out. I “think” i want a 2”/4” drop overall. But im not sure, really I’ll just know it when i see it. P.s. this truck will never haul any real weight.

So whatta y’all think? Shackles and modified hangers? Anybody ever lengthened factory shackles? Will i need drop shocks? I’ve heard of using front shocks in the back or vice-versa but i cant remember the details. But shoot me some opinions and ideas either way, just looking for some input. Trying to get pics up for reference...

[Root_Drum_Co]

First- the day i bought the truck

Second- my origional photoshopped vision from 8 years ago..

Third- the trucks current state

[Mike C]

The flip on my 69 resulted in 7 1/4” drop in the rear. I did an ECE disc conversion in the front with drop spindles and 2” springs for 4 1/2” total.

I love the way my truck looks and rides. If you want something in the middle, buying new springs is the answer IMO.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Thanks for your reply!

Yea “something in the middle” is the best way to put it for sure. My only problem with buying new springs is the money part. I want a “middle ground” lowering job at little to no cost. I know being cheap isn’t always encouraged but i see it like a challenge to do it as right as possible for the least money

[mongocanfly]

you could always cut a coil off each spring on front..and pull a leaf on the rear...cant get much cheaper

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

you could always cut a coil off each spring on front..and pull a leaf on the rear...cant get much cheaper

Ok yea, I like this idea! Im not gonna haul any serious weight, but i still wonder about the softness in the back tho. Have you done this? Its not too soft and squishy in the back?

[Root_Drum_Co]

Anybody have pics of a 2/4 drop on a stepside? Theyre kinda hard to find, everyone does the 3/5 drops mostly.

Or pics of 1 coil cut in the front and 1 leaf out in the back?

[Mike C]

My truck had the HD rear 4 leaf springs. I think the standard leaf setup is 3? Not sure if I would want to pull 33% of the leaves on the back.

I removed the overload on mine because it was hitting the CalTrac bars after the flip. Removing the overload gets you 1/2”-3/4” lower if you keep the axle spring over. Combine that with the shackles in their lowest hole and you are getting closet to 4” drop.

[fishyalien]

I started with the 2/4 drop, but in the end went to a 3/5 on my step side. Coil spring at all corners though.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Yea MikeC, you make a good point. I do have the springs youre talking about, its three springs and an overload. Id hate for it too be too soft and squirely in the back. I put some pics of my current rear set-up

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by fishyalien

I started with the 2/4 drop, but in the end went to a 3/5 on my step side. Coil spring at all corners though.

Looking good man! Thanks for the post!

[57Suburb]

Here's mine. Lowering leafs and shackles rear, drop spindles and cut springs front.

[Mike C]

Pull the overload, and after it’s all back together, re-evaluate where you are at. Don’t spend a lot of time trying to adjust ride height with a partially assembled truck.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by Mike C

Pull the overload, and after it’s all back together, re-evaluate where you are at. Don’t spend a lot of time trying to adjust ride height with a partially assembled truck.

I hear ya mike. Im gonna try the overload first. The truck is assembled actually, just put those old pics up for reference for yall to see what im working with. This is its current state...

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by 57Suburb

Here's mine. Lowering leafs and shackles rear, drop spindles and cut springs front.

Nice looking ride man! Whats the total drop on yours (roughly)?

[Mike C]

For inspiration, my truck with its 4 1/2" disc converted front drop and 7 1/4" flip drop in the rear.

[57Suburb]

Originally Posted by Root_Drum_Co

Nice looking ride man! Whats the total drop on yours (roughly)?

3 and 5.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Here’s my current ride height, front is pic #1, back is pic #2.

I think im going to shoot for 3” all around. Do a little at a time and drive around on it. Yall think I will have any rubbing issues or need to notch the frame? Will i need lowering shocks?

[57Suburb]

You won't need to notch in back unless you do the flip kit. I've done the max without flipping, and haven't had any issues bottoming out on frame.

How did you get to your 3" in the front? Still have the bump stop in place? Have enough shock travel?

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by 57Suburb

You won't need to notch in back unless you do the flip kit. I've done the max without flipping, and haven't had any issues bottoming out on frame.

How did you get to your 3" in the front? Still have the bump stop in place? Have enough shock travel?

The only think ive done is back in 2011 i put Brothertrucks 1” lowering springs in the front and removed the coil helpers in the back, those pics are my current “before” pics i guess you could say. So as far as i can tell i am getting good shock travel and yes bump stops are in place. Im trying to figure out the kinks somewhat before i start taking stuff apart. I want 3” lower than the pics i posted all around i think. Or maybe if i get to 2” lower ill stop there if i like it. I just want to get it lower withou having to notch, drop spindles, modify this, modify that, buy this/that, etc etc

So at most 3” all four corners. If i cut the front coils, pull the overload and get drop-shackles do yall think i will need anything extra or any other things i should take into account?

[57Suburb]

Originally Posted by Root_Drum_Co

The only think ive done is back in 2011 i put Brothertrucks 1” lowering springs in the front and removed the coil helpers in the back, those pics are my “before” pics i guess you could say. So as far as i can tell i am getting good shock travel and yes bump stops are in place. Im trying to figure out the kinks somewhat before i start taking stuff apart. I want 3” lower than the pics i posted all around i think

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you're looking for a 4" total drop in front from stock (based on the fact you have 1" drop springs installed already).? If yes, then it seems you may need to replace those drop springs with 2" drops, and also add 2" drop spindles. With that, you'll also need different shocks, or you can install shock re-locaters.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Yea, i guess so. I haven’t really thought about it like the total lowering from stock height. So if i have 1” lowering springs, how much could i accomplish by cutting coils? I also have the factory spring still... might cut those off instead of cutting the ones i bought

[randy500]

You can have the springs de-arched if you have a spring shop in town. Taking springs out of the pack and putting them back in to adjust the ride is easy once you get them torn down.

[57Suburb]

Originally Posted by Root_Drum_Co

Yea, i guess so. I haven’t really thought about it like the total lowering from stock height. So if i have 1” lowering springs, how much could i accomplish by cutting coils? I also have the factory spring still... might cut those off instead of cutting the ones i bought

It's been my experience that no matter what, for the kind of drop you are wanting, it will take a combo of springs and spindles to get you "safely" down to that 3"-4" drop in the front. A lot of guys cut springs with good results, but never more than a full coil (about an 1 1/2"-2" drop depending on how much sag your original spring has). Cut too much and you end up with a loose spring in the pocket.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by randy500

You can have the springs de-arched if you have a spring shop in town. Taking springs out of the pack and putting them back in to adjust the ride is easy once you get them torn down.

Hmmmm, now thats an idea. Im gonna start researching and see if i can find a spring shop. I wonder if the cost is gonna be more or less than shackles? Since ive gotta take it all apart either way. Thanks for the post! Now ive got another option at least