Flip kit axle clearance questions... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jabes1 · 02-04-2013, 04:42 AM

Long story short I've had this 74' C10 since I was 16 years old.... Im 32 now. I originally had it lowered 3/5 with Eibach springs and a Western Chassis flip kit. It would bottom out every now and then on the frame, but I remember having more than 1/2" to 1" of travel between the frame and rearend without a notch. I eventually notched the frame and it never bottomed out again. After awhile I ended up putting the truck on air and wound up getting sick of the air suspension maintenance and its associated problems.

Currently I acquired a new frame and the truck is back to static suspension. I still had the lowering kit from high school, so I bolted it up to the new frame adding drop spindles and fresh doeschtech shocks. When I picked up the frame it was supposed to have everything minus the rear end. The leaf springs were missing... I needed the leafsprings. The guy I bought the frame from had some 2wd blazer leafsprings with shackles he gave me for free. C10s are like legos and I assumed they would be fine.

I have about 1/2" to 1" of clearance between the frame and rearend... a lot less than I remember from highschool. The 2wd Blazer leafsprings have 1 leaf removed. I still have the leafs so I can put them back, but Im not so sure that one leaf removed would cause such a drastic drop. I would like to put a hitch and do light towing, such as a boat or small trailer. I dont mind notching the frame.

Are the Blazer springs my problem?

Is there a difference between 2wd blazer springs and 2wd truck springs Im not aware of?

I understand the leafs come in 52" and 56" versions and the amount of leafs vary load carrying capacity, could it be the Blazer shackles are different that the truck shackles?

What type of clearance does everyone typically have with a flip kit and a frame that is not notched?

cory d · 02-04-2013, 05:07 AM

the 4x4 leafs are flatter and commenly used to lower a 2 wheel drive up to 2'' and vise versa. the hangers that held teh leafs where much longer to accommodate the less arched leafs. it may be teh same on 2 wheel drive blazers, im not sure, i have never seen one in person

Jabes1 · 02-04-2013, 05:12 AM

Wow... more than likely they are the reason why it sits so low. Can anyone else verify this? Thank you for your response!

J Knight · 02-04-2013, 09:47 AM

I would just get a standard set of 52in leaf springs 3/1 and be done with all the guess work on those other springs trying to get your ride height correct.
Posted via Mobile Device

02-04-2013, 04:42 AM	#1
Jabes1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Apple Valley, CA Posts: 275	Flip kit axle clearance questions... Long story short I've had this 74' C10 since I was 16 years old.... Im 32 now. I originally had it lowered 3/5 with Eibach springs and a Western Chassis flip kit. It would bottom out every now and then on the frame, but I remember having more than 1/2" to 1" of travel between the frame and rearend without a notch. I eventually notched the frame and it never bottomed out again. After awhile I ended up putting the truck on air and wound up getting sick of the air suspension maintenance and its associated problems. Currently I acquired a new frame and the truck is back to static suspension. I still had the lowering kit from high school, so I bolted it up to the new frame adding drop spindles and fresh doeschtech shocks. When I picked up the frame it was supposed to have everything minus the rear end. The leaf springs were missing... I needed the leafsprings. The guy I bought the frame from had some 2wd blazer leafsprings with shackles he gave me for free. C10s are like legos and I assumed they would be fine. I have about 1/2" to 1" of clearance between the frame and rearend... a lot less than I remember from highschool. The 2wd Blazer leafsprings have 1 leaf removed. I still have the leafs so I can put them back, but Im not so sure that one leaf removed would cause such a drastic drop. I would like to put a hitch and do light towing, such as a boat or small trailer. I dont mind notching the frame. Are the Blazer springs my problem? Is there a difference between 2wd blazer springs and 2wd truck springs Im not aware of? I understand the leafs come in 52" and 56" versions and the amount of leafs vary load carrying capacity, could it be the Blazer shackles are different that the truck shackles? What type of clearance does everyone typically have with a flip kit and a frame that is not notched?

02-04-2013, 05:07 AM	#2
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: Flip kit axle clearance questions... the 4x4 leafs are flatter and commenly used to lower a 2 wheel drive up to 2'' and vise versa. the hangers that held teh leafs where much longer to accommodate the less arched leafs. it may be teh same on 2 wheel drive blazers, im not sure, i have never seen one in person __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

02-04-2013, 05:12 AM	#3
Jabes1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Apple Valley, CA Posts: 275	Re: Flip kit axle clearance questions... Wow... more than likely they are the reason why it sits so low. Can anyone else verify this? Thank you for your response!

02-04-2013, 09:47 AM	#4
J Knight Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Baytown TX Posts: 2,219	Re: Flip kit axle clearance questions... I would just get a standard set of 52in leaf springs 3/1 and be done with all the guess work on those other springs trying to get your ride height correct. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350



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