Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SLVESSELS · 07-09-2008, 02:27 AM

Can Any One Tell How Many Leafs I Can Take Out To Lower It About 4-5 Inches Or The Best Way To Lower The Truck . I Have A Total Of 8 Leafs On My Leaf Springs

**special-K** · 07-09-2008, 06:56 AM

Taking leaves out will let it settle down.To get that much guys do axle-flips where the axle gets moved over the leaves.There are other ways offered these days.There are spring mounts that locate the spring eyes higher up,leafs with an upward bend out of the eyes and little arch,and longer shackles.

Charlesdur · 07-09-2008, 09:56 AM

I put a rear flip kit built by DJM Suspension from Godfather customs.
$127.00

Link to DJM
http://www.djmsuspension.com/

Link to Godfather customs
http://www.godfathercustoms.com/

68gmsee · 07-09-2008, 10:34 AM

I removed the lower three on my 68 GMC and it lowered it about 2 inches. Now, I'm going to get some lowering shackles for another 2 inches.

I didn't want to notch the frame by doing a flip kit. If I didn't do the notch, the frame would be about 1/2 to 1 inch from the rubber stop.

A search on leaf springs will give you some good infor...

**DREW67** · 07-09-2008, 10:55 AM

Just go to Early Classic Enterprise they will all what you need.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/

EighthD · 07-09-2008, 11:23 AM

I agree with SLVESSELS go with early classic. Thats where I bought my 4" drop springs. And 2.5" spindals with no problems.

SLVESSELS · 07-09-2008, 08:49 PM

Does Anybody Else Have 8 Leas In Ther Leaf Springs And Is My Truck A Heavy Duty Because I Seen Some Stock Tucks With About 5 Or 6 Leafs

tcb-1 · 07-09-2008, 09:00 PM

do you have a 3/4 ton? I haven't seen many 8 leaf 1/2 tonners......

68gmsee · 07-09-2008, 09:09 PM

My 68 GMC shortbed came with 8. The guy I bought it from told me that his dad ordered it with heavy duty springs because it was a farm truck. He used to haul feed sacks with it for his cattle. According to him, they used to load it up with 50lbs sacks even with the top of the cab... I don't think I'll be doing that...

The shortest one is on top on this pic.

tcb-1 · 07-09-2008, 09:12 PM

learn something new everyday! thanks for posting the pic 68gmsee!

68gmsee · 07-09-2008, 09:26 PM

It is sort of different. If you notice I don't have the square U bolts. Took the pic while I was trying to figure out how many leaves to take out.

I decided on the bottom three and left the short one on top as a spacer. It still seems a little bouncy on dirt roads (crappy shocks) but not bad on the highway.

SLVESSELS · 07-09-2008, 09:28 PM

Has Any Body Lowerd A 8 Leaf Spring Truck And How Many Leafs Did U Take Out Or What Did You Do To Lower It

tcb-1 · 07-09-2008, 09:34 PM

SLVESSELS,
I think you could take 2 or 3 out, which would put you down a bit, but probably not much. Like several have said above, if you want a noticealble drop, you will more than likely need to pick up a flip kit. A well engineered flip kit will allow you to retain a smooth ride and "some" carrying capacity.

just my .02. but what do I know, I have coils.....

SLVESSELS · 07-09-2008, 09:41 PM

I Think If I Get A 2"drop Shackle And Take Abou 3 Leafs Out I Should Get About 3-4 Inchs

tcb-1 · 07-09-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLVESSELS

I Think If I Get A 2"drop Shackle And Take Abou 3 Leafs Out I Should Get About 3-4 Inchs

can't hurt to give it a whirl! please post back on the results as it could be informative to others with leaf spring rears.

bad6772 · 07-09-2008, 10:10 PM

although i did a DJM Flip Kit as well.......subscribed..........Please post how this turns out...........

deputyd_0803 · 07-10-2008, 06:15 PM

I am interested in how it turns out, too.

andresco50 · 07-10-2008, 06:22 PM

If you want 4" of drop you can install a drop shackles and hangers is cheap and easy and in the front you can install a drop coil springs... If you want more than 4" you can install a flip kit

andresco50 · 07-10-2008, 06:25 PM

My truck has a HD suspension with 8 leafs I removed 2 leafs and dearched de longest... now I have 3" of drop.. I will install a drop shackles to obtain 2" more

68gmsee · 07-10-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLVESSELS

I Think If I Get A 2"drop Shackle And Take Abou 3 Leafs Out I Should Get About 3-4 Inchs

On my post above, I mentioned I took three out. It dropped it about 2 inches. I'm also going with the lowering shackles to give me a couple of more inches. I'm not going to be using it for hauling but I'm going to hold on to the the extra leaves just in case.

SLVESSELS · 07-11-2008, 03:50 PM

So Can Any Body Tell Me The Best Way To Remove The Leafs Fome The Leaf Springs And The Cheapest Place To Buy 2"drop Shackes

TotalChevy1 · 07-11-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLVESSELS

So Can Any Body Tell Me The Best Way To Remove The Leafs Fome The Leaf Springs And The Cheapest Place To Buy 2"drop Shackes

the springs are pretty easy, I would start from the bottom and remove the helper then skip ever other one. You can do this without removing from the shackles. it makes it easier to replace the center bolt. If you have a second set of hands to help seat the axle You may have to get shorter u-bolts or put some washers in to fill the space. I spent the extra money and had the bolts made at a axle shop($35). The shackles are pretty cheap. Any of the parts houses(LMC) or a local shop for less that $60. Early classic industries is were I got mine and I did have a problem with them hitting the bed when the springs moved. I would recommend grinding the top as much as possible so you have atleast a 1/4" between the shackle and the bed.

68gmsee · 07-11-2008, 07:25 PM

On mine it wasn't that easy. If you're going to remove the whole spring asm, raise the truck to remove the tension off them.

I did one side at a time. I removed the lower bolt on my shock then removed the u-bolts, the nut on the center bolt that holds them together and removed the shackle bolts and nuts (that was a pain).

I used a big c-clamp on the front and the back of the springs to hold them together and raised the truck higher to remove the complete asm.

The second time I did it, I didn't remove the shackles. Did one side at a time.

1. I removed the u-bolts, center bolt nut, lower shock bolt, used the c-clamps on the top 5 leaves only so they would shift on me.

2. Raised the frame up until the springs came off the axle mount.

3. removed the 3 lower springs.

Baresteel10 · 07-11-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TotalChevy1

Early classic industries is were I got mine and I did have a problem with them hitting the bed when the springs moved. I would recommend grinding the top as much as possible so you have atleast a 1/4" between the shackle and the bed.

So even with the early classics 1.5" drop shackles you would hit the bed?
Does that mean that thepeople with the 2" DJM drop shackles had to clearance the bed to use them?

Sorry for the hijack

TotalChevy1 · 07-12-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baresteel10

So even with the early classics 1.5" drop shackles you would hit the bed?
Does that mean that thepeople with the 2" DJM drop shackles had to clearance the bed to use them?

Sorry for the hijack

In my case yes. I have a wood bed, so that may make a difference. I ended up shaving the bottom of the bed and here in the next couple months I'm taking the bed off to do some other work and my plan is to grind off about 1/4 in off the edge that is closes to the bed

07-09-2008, 02:27 AM	#1
SLVESSELS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: RICHMOND VA Posts: 28	Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed Can Any One Tell How Many Leafs I Can Take Out To Lower It About 4-5 Inches Or The Best Way To Lower The Truck . I Have A Total Of 8 Leafs On My Leaf Springs Attached Images

07-09-2008, 06:56 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed Taking leaves out will let it settle down.To get that much guys do axle-flips where the axle gets moved over the leaves.There are other ways offered these days.There are spring mounts that locate the spring eyes higher up,leafs with an upward bend out of the eyes and little arch,and longer shackles. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-09-2008, 09:56 AM	#3
Charlesdur Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 62	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed I put a rear flip kit built by DJM Suspension from Godfather customs. $127.00 Link to DJM http://www.djmsuspension.com/ Link to Godfather customs http://www.godfathercustoms.com/ __________________ Charles 1971 3/4 ton 454 cu.in. 4 speed manual 1966 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. Airride Roadster Last edited by Charlesdur; 07-09-2008 at 09:57 AM.

07-09-2008, 10:34 AM	#4
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed I removed the lower three on my 68 GMC and it lowered it about 2 inches. Now, I'm going to get some lowering shackles for another 2 inches. I didn't want to notch the frame by doing a flip kit. If I didn't do the notch, the frame would be about 1/2 to 1 inch from the rubber stop. A search on leaf springs will give you some good infor...

07-09-2008, 10:55 AM	#5
DREW67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,029	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed Just go to Early Classic Enterprise they will all what you need. http://www.earlyclassic.com/ __________________ DREW67

07-09-2008, 11:23 AM	#6
EighthD Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Santee Ca Posts: 251	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed I agree with SLVESSELS go with early classic. Thats where I bought my 4" drop springs. And 2.5" spindals with no problems.

07-09-2008, 08:49 PM	#7
SLVESSELS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: RICHMOND VA Posts: 28	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed Does Anybody Else Have 8 Leas In Ther Leaf Springs And Is My Truck A Heavy Duty Because I Seen Some Stock Tucks With About 5 Or 6 Leafs

07-09-2008, 09:00 PM	#8
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed do you have a 3/4 ton? I haven't seen many 8 leaf 1/2 tonners...... __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

07-09-2008, 09:09 PM	#9
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed My 68 GMC shortbed came with 8. The guy I bought it from told me that his dad ordered it with heavy duty springs because it was a farm truck. He used to haul feed sacks with it for his cattle. According to him, they used to load it up with 50lbs sacks even with the top of the cab... I don't think I'll be doing that... The shortest one is on top on this pic. Attached Images

07-09-2008, 09:12 PM	#10
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed learn something new everyday! thanks for posting the pic 68gmsee! __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

07-09-2008, 09:26 PM	#11
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed It is sort of different. If you notice I don't have the square U bolts. Took the pic while I was trying to figure out how many leaves to take out. I decided on the bottom three and left the short one on top as a spacer. It still seems a little bouncy on dirt roads (crappy shocks) but not bad on the highway.

07-09-2008, 09:28 PM	#12
SLVESSELS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: RICHMOND VA Posts: 28	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed Has Any Body Lowerd A 8 Leaf Spring Truck And How Many Leafs Did U Take Out Or What Did You Do To Lower It

07-09-2008, 09:34 PM	#13
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed SLVESSELS, I think you could take 2 or 3 out, which would put you down a bit, but probably not much. Like several have said above, if you want a noticealble drop, you will more than likely need to pick up a flip kit. A well engineered flip kit will allow you to retain a smooth ride and "some" carrying capacity. just my .02. but what do I know, I have coils..... __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

07-09-2008, 09:41 PM	#14
SLVESSELS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: RICHMOND VA Posts: 28	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed I Think If I Get A 2"drop Shackle And Take Abou 3 Leafs Out I Should Get About 3-4 Inchs

07-09-2008, 10:10 PM	#16
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed although i did a DJM Flip Kit as well.......subscribed..........Please post how this turns out...........



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07-10-2008, 06:15 PM	#17
deputyd_0803 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. George, UT Posts: 77	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed I am interested in how it turns out, too. __________________ The ONLY way to go. 1972 C20 Custom Deluxe: Rebuilt 402 hopped up a bit, th400 with shift kit, Dana 60(wanna have posi), New solid, no cancer, cab. B & M Starshifter floor shifter.

07-10-2008, 06:22 PM	#18
andresco50 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeworth, Fl Posts: 633	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed If you want 4" of drop you can install a drop shackles and hangers is cheap and easy and in the front you can install a drop coil springs... If you want more than 4" you can install a flip kit __________________ 2001 silverado 2wd 2003 silverado 4wd 1975 scottsdale c10 (project)

07-10-2008, 06:25 PM	#19
andresco50 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeworth, Fl Posts: 633	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed My truck has a HD suspension with 8 leafs I removed 2 leafs and dearched de longest... now I have 3" of drop.. I will install a drop shackles to obtain 2" more __________________ 2001 silverado 2wd 2003 silverado 4wd 1975 scottsdale c10 (project)

07-11-2008, 03:50 PM	#21
SLVESSELS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: RICHMOND VA Posts: 28	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed So Can Any Body Tell Me The Best Way To Remove The Leafs Fome The Leaf Springs And The Cheapest Place To Buy 2"drop Shackes

07-11-2008, 07:25 PM	#23
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Lowering A Leafspring 69 2wd Shortbed On mine it wasn't that easy. If you're going to remove the whole spring asm, raise the truck to remove the tension off them. I did one side at a time. I removed the lower bolt on my shock then removed the u-bolts, the nut on the center bolt that holds them together and removed the shackle bolts and nuts (that was a pain). I used a big c-clamp on the front and the back of the springs to hold them together and raised the truck higher to remove the complete asm. The second time I did it, I didn't remove the shackles. Did one side at a time. 1. I removed the u-bolts, center bolt nut, lower shock bolt, used the c-clamps on the top 5 leaves only so they would shift on me. 2. Raised the frame up until the springs came off the axle mount. 3. removed the 3 lower springs.

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