Whats the best way to lower w/leafs

[jott_06]

I have a 68 GMC 1500 and i'd like to lower it but i dont want airbags or anything like that. I was wandering how low it would put my rearend if i c-notched the frame and did a axle flip. I also wandered if anyone has ever used the rear lowering shackles and how they liked them. I will probably just go with shorter coils on the front. I thought about cutting them but everyone seems to think thats not safe. I ran my s-10 with a rap cut off of the coils for along time and it didnt ride ruff or anything. But i just need some info if anyone can help me...thanks

[ChevLoRay]

DJM, Early Classic Enterprises, McGaughey's and others have kits to lower these trucks. You are looking at hangers and shackles for the basic lowering in the rear, up to 4-inches, I believe. Beyond that, you'd need a flip kit and a C-notch in the frame.

Up front, it's best to use lowering spindles, but many have used cut coils and modified A-frames.

Choices exist. Use the internet and you'll find 'em. Check the links on here and the board members who are in business to sell parts for these trucks.

[bad6772]

i did a flip kit on my 72 chevrolet, got everything from GMC Pauls.. the flip lowered the rear of my truck about 7 inches total, i just baught some rear shackles, and did a c notch.... im guessing they will take it down another inch.... IMO i would fab up a flip kit yourself... i have spun my rear end around once , with the flip kit.... i am going to buy new spring perches. and weld it up , like a over the spring rear would be on any s 10,, total cost should be about 50 bucks, and IMO it would be way stronger ....im not saying the flip kit is not any good.... but it should be easy to make it your self..........if i get mine done ill post some pics........ hope this helps alittle

[rogergodding]

ChevLoRay beat me to it...... here is my response:

I'd use drop spindles on the front, actually I am using drop spindles on the front which keeps the original range of travel on the front end....... and plan on using the lowering leafs from ece and maybe their shackles... http://www.earlyclassic.com/

[EighthD]

I used 4" lowering springs on my 71. I got them from ece and am very happy with them. And I used 2.5" dropped spindles on the front

[jott_06]

Thanks for the info guys. I would really like to do the flip in the rear but how much would i have to lower the front to get my truck level? Or i might just go with earlyclassic shackels in the rear and 1" coils up front just to save money. I plan to use this truck for a cruizer so maybe i shouldnt go as low as i would like because it wont be very functional.

[ChevLoRay]

My purpose in lowering my truck was also done with the intent of installing disc brakes. You can use the lowering springs and get an inch lower. The spindles for the disc conversion are either stock height, or 2.5-inches lower. I used the same occasion to rebuild my front end....ball joints, control arm shafts and bushings, etc. You gotta pop the ball joint to do the spring swap, so you might as well replace them at the same time....for safety sake.

If you lower the front by an inch, the shackles/hangers may give you a 4-inch drop in the back. It should sit close to level. My drop has a rake to the front end, and that is what I wanted. But the cheapest route is the springs for the front and the shackles/hangers for the rear.

[Scott68-93-97]

Cut the front springs thats not a safety issue heating them up can be but thats also debadable and needs to gop in another thread every 1/2 coil = 1 inch every inch or 1/2 coil = 10% increase in spring rate thats the only problem and its not a problem if you want your truck stiffer and to handle better. and do the flip kit in the rear, the lowering shackles can sometimes do you good or bad because they will change your pinion angle but the flip kit should also take care of having a correct angle if you look at the new perch that slips into the bottom of the original each side will be different that locates the pinion angle for you.

[xmitsu10]

My '71 is lowered out back with 4" drop leafs from GMCPauls (they can go up to 5") and 1" drop shackle from ECE. Tried to get another inch out back but the leafs interfere with bed crossmember. Front is dropped with 2.5" spindles and 1" drop coils. Overall, I am happy with stance.

Mark

[young grasshoppa]

XMitsu-

How is the ride quality (what shocks)? What size are the wheels and tires?

Truck looks great, that is why I ask!

[xmitsu10]

Ride is good until I hit a bump (but I realize it's still a truck). Handling is improved greatly. Shocks are KYB gas-adjust from GMC pauls and poly bushings for the front bar from ECE. Fronts are 255/60/15 on 8's and rears are 275/60/15 on 10's. Wish I had coils out back like most Chevy's came with for the better ride, but I gots what I gots. And it's not my DD so I can put up with the harsh hit when a bump in the road pops up. Thanks for the compliment.

Mark

[legends]

Are the shocks real short, or did you use some type of shock mount extender ?

[xmitsu10]

They are just shocks designed for a leaf suspension (drop or not) that I got from GMCPauls http://www.gmcpauls.com/Suspension.htm. P/N 1334721 is what I used.

Mark