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Old 07-08-2010, 03:08 PM   #1
GASoline71
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2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Well this weekend my Dad and I dropped the rear end of the truck 3" by putting in 2" drop shackles from Frank's Pick'em Ups, and removing the spring overloads on the springpack.

The diff is pretty greasy... this winter it will be yarded out of there and an Eaton Posi-traction unit with new gears will be installed. Maybe even disc brakes.

1. Removed the upper shackle bolt out of the old shackle.



2. New 2" drop shackle being held up for comparison.



3. Dad spraying lube on the shackle bolts.



4. New 2" drop shackle installed.



5. Impact wrench on the old U-bolts.



6. Same deal...



7. After removing old U-bolts... 40 years have taken it's toll. The threads basically flaked off... since we were taking out a 1" overload spring, we needed the threads.



8. Clamping the springpack together to remove the center pin bolt.



9. More of same...



10. Center pins were a little rusty too.



11. Also removed heavy duty coilover rear spring/shocks along with overloads.



12. Went in to Tacoma, WA to Right Way Spring Co, and had a set of new shackle bolts custom made. Since nobody stocks them in a auto parts store. Also got new pins for the leaf packs.



13. There is a little plastic "anti squeak" pad that goes between the axle pearch and the leaf pack.



14. Installing new pins in leaf packs (minus the overloads).



15. new center pin installed.



16. tightening the new center pin.



17. New U-bolts setting in place.



18. Installing lower axle clamp and nuts on u-bolts. You can see new $25 dollar parts store Monroe shocks hanging from upper mount.



19. Cutting off excess bolt thread on the pins with a sawzall.



20. Rear end snugged up and new shocks installed...



21. New stance... 3" lower in rear... left front stock until the rear settles, and then will lower front later...





Here is a few shots of my '72 GMC and my dad's '70 Chevy. The ET slots that are on my truck were originally on my dad's with adapters since his truck is 6 lug. It was cool to get them from him and polish them up and install them on my truck. He bought his '70 in 1974.











Gary
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My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
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Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.
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Old 07-08-2010, 05:10 PM   #2
oldblue1968chevy
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

love it man!
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Old 07-08-2010, 06:19 PM   #3
Southcity
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Nice work, your truck looks great and great step-by-step shots, thanks for sharing. Don't dump those spare parts........
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Last edited by Southcity; 07-08-2010 at 06:31 PM.
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Old 07-08-2010, 06:24 PM   #4
GASoline71
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Thanks you guys...

I've still got the stock shackles and overloads. But those coilovers were shot. Those went to the scrap yard.

Gary
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My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.
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Old 07-08-2010, 06:29 PM   #5
Southcity
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

You held on to the stuff that matters for sure. Forgot to mention that your dads truck looks good too. What are your plans for the front suspension?
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Old 07-08-2010, 06:35 PM   #6
GASoline71
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

The front is still just a hair lower than the rear. It rides completely different now. More better for sure. So I will prolly do a 1" to the front. But don't know if that will rake it too much.

Eventually, I will get 3" drop springs in the rear for a total of 5", then do a 2 1/2" drop spindle in the front.

Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars...

My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.

Last edited by GASoline71; 07-08-2010 at 06:35 PM.
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Old 07-08-2010, 06:47 PM   #7
bigguy69
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

looks great! both of them!!
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Old 07-09-2010, 01:18 PM   #8
GASoline71
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Thanks again you guys...

Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars...

My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.

Last edited by GASoline71; 07-09-2010 at 01:21 PM.
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Old 07-09-2010, 03:13 PM   #9
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Nice trucks! I love those slots.
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Old 07-10-2010, 11:05 AM   #10
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Looks good!!
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Old 08-20-2010, 09:43 AM   #11
71meangreenc10
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Found it Gary.....

Do you have any troubles with the leaves hitting the bed or making loud noise? Do you have contact info for Franks?

Smitty
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Old 08-20-2010, 12:42 PM   #12
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

nice trucks
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Old 09-08-2011, 01:28 PM   #13
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Re: 2" Drop Shackles in the '72 Over the 4th Weekend

Quote:
Originally Posted by GASoline71 View Post
Well this weekend my Dad and I dropped the rear end of the truck 3" by putting in 2" drop shackles from Frank's Pick'em Ups, and removing the spring overloads on the springpack.


Gary
Sorry, I know this is an old thread but it is exactly what I was looking for.

Anyhow, the pics are no longer showing and was wondering if you still had them.

Thanks
Hazen
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