Mix & match drop kit..

[sevysev]

I'm really glad that I stumbled across this forum because i learned more about lowering my truck in two months than i ever have in the two years i owned it. So, after all of that, i need a confirmation on the kit(s) i finally decided to go with.


front: 5 1/2" total - 2.5" WC Drop spindles, 3" Summit drop springs


rear: 7" total - DJM flip kit 5" , Summit rear shackle kit 2" , WC C-notch


a couple concerns i have are:

!. should i cut stock springs or go ahead with the summit 3" ?
2. Is there a cheaper c-notch other than the one i'm going with (WC $90)
3. Does anyone run shackles and a flip?
4. Is 5 1/2" too low or should i stick with 4 1/2" or 5" (i plan to run 255/60/15 tires on 15 x 8 Smoothies)

Any info will be much appreciated.

oh yeah, i don't think i listed what kind of square i own so here goes.


1977 GMC Sierra Classic 350/Turbo 350 LWB

[flamingbig10]

1. I have summit 3" springs on my truck and they ride fine but there actually ground force brand
2.sounds pretty cheap
3.yes I have a beltec flip kit and drop shackles
4. it depends on the bs on your wheels
I have djm 3" spindles and ground force coils with beltec flip kit, shackles, and c-notch with 215/70-15s on front and rear 275/6-15s

[Driveway Dreams]

I have the same drop. I did my own flip kit, rather than buying one. I just bought a set of $15 spring perches, and welded them in place. Cut a notch and boxed it in. Then did the Summit shackles. Up front, I have the spindles from AIM and have Summit springs (re branded Ground Force as Aaron said). Doing it this route, I have less than $300 in the drop including shipping. And it rides great. When my buddy aligned it, other than getting it on and off the ramp, it went right to place.

The only thing I would change would be to maybe go another inch lower in back, but that's only certain days.

[sevysev]

the bs on the smoothies are 4"

[Rollinsqrbdy]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

I have the same drop. I did my own flip kit, rather than buying one. I just bought a set of $15 spring perches, and welded them in place. Cut a notch and boxed it in. Then did the Summit shackles. Up front, I have the spindles from AIM and have Summit springs (re branded Ground Force as Aaron said). Doing it this route, I have less than $300 in the drop including shipping. And it rides great. When my buddy aligned it, other than getting it on and off the ramp, it went right to place.

The only thing I would change would be to maybe go another inch lower in back, but that's only certain days.

wow thats one way to save money. Do you got any pics of when u done it?

[sevysev]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

I have the same drop. I did my own flip kit, rather than buying one. I just bought a set of $15 spring perches, and welded them in place. Cut a notch and boxed it in. Then did the Summit shackles. Up front, I have the spindles from AIM and have Summit springs (re branded Ground Force as Aaron said). Doing it this route, I have less than $300 in the drop including shipping. And it rides great. When my buddy aligned it, other than getting it on and off the ramp, it went right to place.

The only thing I would change would be to maybe go another inch lower in back, but that's only certain days.

that sounds cool but i think im a little inexperienced to do some of the stuff myself like the notch

[lolife99]

5.5 will be low and might rub your tires on the front inner fenders,...
but I would do the exact same drop.

Also go for the 3" drop springs from Summit!
Why not the Western Chassis flip kit?

[smashingchuck]

Don't forget some quality shocks.

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by lolife99

5.5 will be low and my rub your tires on the front inner fenders. But I would do the exact same drop.

Also go for the 3" drop springs from Summit!
Why not the Western Chassis flip kit?

I second the question on the western chassis flip kit. For $80 + shipping you get the axle brackets, spring plates, and new u-bolts (which you will need anyways and can be $30-$40).

[Driveway Dreams]

I did not take any progress pics. We knocked it all out in an afternoon. So, I did not take time for pics. I can try tonight to take some and get them posted. I did not mention shocks in there. Those will be a little more money. Or, you run stock shocks and extend your shock mounts. Just another idea for those of us on a tighter budget.

The WC flip kit seems like it would be a great way to go if you don't want to attempt it yourself.

[nlped]

I just built my own flip bracket so I didn't have to do any welding. I will be able to reuse the stock u bolts and spring plate (I will have to drill one hole for the relocated leaf spring retaining bolt 1" further back) and I have $6 worth of materials and about 30 minutes work at a local machine shop ($25 labor).

[sevysev]

Originally Posted by SBTork

I second the question on the western chassis flip kit. For $80 + shipping you get the axle brackets, spring plates, and new u-bolts (which you will need anyways and can be $30-$40).

i guess i was all set on the DJM flip because it was only $84 and came with shock extenders. i figured it couldn't get any better than that. so what is the diff between wc flip and djm? is wc less of a hassle? i was planning to run quality stock height shocks.

[sevysev]

Hey , again i would like to thank all of you for the very helpful info. it feels really good to know that in this day and age that there are still a decent group of guys that are willing to lend some help for the sake of helping. like i said in the beginning , before this forum i was lost, but i knew one thing... I LOVE MY TRUCK!!!

[fiddy9apache]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

Don't forget some quality shocks.

i say no on spindles, they push the front wheels out. ive had trucks the have 6in of drop in the front and ride great. i always run monroe shocks. in the rear i make my own flip, use a 1in block and shackles. for my notch i get a piece of 8in pipe and cut it in half and use the 4in moon shape for a notch.

[yellowGT]

Originally Posted by nlped

I just built my own flip bracket so I didn't have to do any welding. I will be able to reuse the stock u bolts and spring plate (I will have to drill one hole for the relocated leaf spring retaining bolt 1" further back) and I have $6 worth of materials and about 30 minutes work at a local machine shop ($25 labor).

you mind posting up dimensions on that plate...im thinking about making my own too.

[fiddy9apache]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

you mind posting up dimensions on that plate...im thinking about making my own too.

you can use a plate from any 73-87 gm 1/2ton truck, as for the for the axle use 3in axle perches. ive done about 10 trucks this way.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by fiddy9apache

i say no on spindles, they push the front wheels out. ive had trucks the have 6in of drop in the front and ride great......

How do you lower one of our trucks 6" in the front with out spindles and still ride great?

[fiddy9apache]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

How do you lower one of our trucks 6" in the front with out spindles and still ride great?

4in lower control arms and cut big block springs, or a 2in drop coil and monroe shocks. like i said about i dont like spindles, they push the front wheels out and cause rubbing issues running a stock wheel.

[Primer70]

4" drop lower control arms are gonna be close to the ground. My 3" spindles & cut coils with 255/35-20s put my lower control arms as close to the ground as I feel safe to drive on these crappy pot hole filled California roads. As far as the drop spindles pushing my wheels out, I don't have a problem with 5.25" of back spacing on my 20 x 8.5"wheels.

[nlped]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

you mind posting up dimensions on that plate...im thinking about making my own too.

I assume you mean the flip bracket...right? Okay, I used 2"x3/8" material. The bracket is 3.54" tall, 4.1" inside to inside, and 4.85" outside to outside. The 3/4" hole is moved 1" from center on the lower "flat" to accomodate for driveline changes.

If you need me to be more specific I can, but this is kinda the measurements that I went with and it fits perfectly on my '87 rear, but I ended up going with a '96 rear and the brackets don't fit it

[sevysev]

so does anyone think i'm gonna have rubbing issues if the backspacing on my 15x8 smoothies are 4" and the tires are 255/60/15 on a total 5.5" front drop?

[sevysev]

i also am ordering summit drop shocks for about $30 a piece.

[sevysev]

Originally Posted by SBTork

I second the question on the western chassis flip kit. For $80 + shipping you get the axle brackets, spring plates, and new u-bolts (which you will need anyways and can be $30-$40).

do shock extenders come with the wc flip?

[Driveway Dreams]

My stock rally wheels with 245/60/15 tires don't rub except if I'm turned sharp on a fair dip or bump. You should be fine, if you want to go that low. Sorry, I will try to get pics of mine today.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by fiddy9apache

4in lower control arms and cut big block springs.....

Doesn't a 4" control arm put you right at the scrub line with a 15" wheel? I understand your issue with spindles, but I don't feel a control arm with minimal lack of ground clearence is a good choice either.