flip kit with or without a notch?

[Puglia10]

Doing a flip kit on my 1980 c10, 2wd. Not sure if I need a notch? Should i do it anyway while Im in there, whatre the chances of hitting the rear end?

[Painter D]

I would definately notch it, otherwise everytime you hit a decent sized bump in the road your rearend will hit your frame.

[MotorHead Lon]

I had an axle flip and airride (at different times) on my 84 with no notch. The only time the axle touched the frame was when I hooked up my car trailer. If planning on airride or a huge drop I'd notch it now.

[SulphurDave]

I put my Ford 9" rear on top of the factory leafs and took the helper out and it lowered it about 6 inches and doesn't even come close to touching my mini c-notch.

[Puglia10]

hmmm, differing opinions...any others?

[lolife99]

I've done several flip kits on 73-87 trucks with no notch.

But with different trucks, different number of springs in the leaf spring packs, different amounts of abuse that leads to sagging leaf springs,... you are going to get different answers to your question.
I say do the flip kit and find out what your truck needs.
You can always add it later.

[bakerboys]

New to this but I got a 77 swb how hard is it to do a flip kit

also if I want the front lower than the 3 inch that drop spindles give what else can be done

thanks for any info

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by bakerboys

New to this but I got a 77 swb how hard is it to do a flip kit

also if I want the front lower than the 3 inch that drop spindles give what else can be done

thanks for any info

The flip kit is fairly staight forward.
You relocate the rear axle to the top of the leaf springs.
The problem comes when dealing with rusty bolts, nuts, etc.

You can add drop springs up front (in addition to your spindles),... but that will require you to run a shorter drop shock.

[bakerboys]

Is there any welding involved

[bakerboys]

also what is this about c notch

[Painter D]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I've done several flip kits on 73-87 trucks with no notch.

But with different trucks, different number of springs in the leaf spring packs, different amounts of abuse that leads to sagging leaf springs,... you are going to get different answers to your question.
I say do the flip kit and find out what your truck needs.
You can always add it later.

This is the best idea.

[primrrd]

my81 rides fine with flip, no notch.
caveat:
you do need to remove the bracket and stock bump stops
i just went to look at mine to confirm for you:
about 4 to 4.5 inches from the axle tubes to frame.
Ive only bottomed with a heavy load (a yard of mulch in the bed)

[bakerboys]

ok thanks where would you order the kit from i see jegs and summit have them are they all the same thing

[Puglia10]

thanks guys

[brossow]

Like bakerboys, I too am interested in recommendations for the "best" kit for my '79 SWB. Looking around on eBay it seems I can spend anywhere from $40 to $400. What exactly should I look for in a flip kit? I want to keep cost down but not to the point of doing a hack job. Thanks for any info!

[lolife99]

Belltech or Western Chassis, make the best flip kits for 73-87 trucks.
(my opinion)
If you're thinking about a 5/7 drop,... add the bolt in c-notch.

[bakerboys]

I found a good price on kit shipping to n.c.is like 22.00 dollars

but there is a guy in the vendor section of this forum that says he will beat any price he quoted me like 355.00 shipped here is his email

NORCALSS06@aol.com


here is the link to the kit I found

http://www.gcustoms.com/7387-chevygm...258b370b8c9977


I just need to make sure My 10 inch wide wheels will not scrub in the back
before i order

[brossow]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Belltech or Western Chassis, make the best flip kits for 73-87 trucks.
(my opinion)
If you're thinking about a 5/7 drop,... add the bolt in c-notch.

Don't want to go that low -- 4/6 at the most, at least right now. Looking for cheap, fast and easy.

What's the deal with kits that cost a lot more and include U-bolts and spring plates? Are those only used if you can't reuse your stock parts, or would I end up buying this stuff separately anyway? Sorry if that's a dumb/obvious question; haven't looked at flip kits until today.

[bakerboys]

did you see the link 3 / 5 drop

good question i need to find out if i need to buy extra stuff too

[brossow]

Originally Posted by bakerboys

did you see the link 3 / 5 drop

good question i need to find out if i need to buy extra stuff too

Saw the link. You could put together the same kit for less money at Summit:

DJM-DS2045H-3 @ $229.95
DJM-FK1024-5 @ $84.75
Subtotal: $314.70
Handling: $12.95
Total: $327.65

Since Summit and Jegs pricematch, you might be able to do even better if you search around.

[bakerboys]

would I have to buy anything else or is that with everything I need

thanks

If I lower the back 5 inches and my fender is only 2 inches higher than tire will that be ok

[brossow]

Originally Posted by bakerboys

would I have to buy anything else or is that with everything I need

No idea. This is exactly what I need to find out as well. I suspect that's everything, but I don't want to ASSume.

Originally Posted by bakerboys

If I lower the back 5 inches and my fender is only 2 inches higher than tire will that be ok

If the tire extends beyond the fender lip, I wouldn't do it. If it tucks inside, sure. Otherwise it's almost guaranteed you're going to have the body coming down on the tire over fairly routine bumps. 2" of travel is not much -- and that's assuming you don't have any load in the back and that the 2" gap was measured with a full tank of gas.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by brossow

Saw the link. You could put together the same kit for less money at Summit:

DJM-DS2045H-3 @ $229.95
DJM-FK1024-5 @ $84.75
Subtotal: $314.70
Handling: $12.95
Total: $327.65

Since Summit and Jegs pricematch, you might be able to do even better if you search around.

The DJM stuff is good quality. Their flip bracket for the rear housing is not as stout as the Western Chassis piece for sure but I can't say if one is under-built or the other is over-built (the WC piece is plated on each side of the |_| shaped bracket).

You can re-use the original u-bolts & spring plate which is why the DJM kits are typically cheaper (they omit these parts). I know the WC kits come w/new .250" plates, fresh u-bolts, & crush nuts (not sure what the BellTech kits come w/these days). I twould suck though if you got started & needed new u-bolts for whatever reason & had to go get them.....

As mentioned, just a flip-kit usually doesn't require the c-notch. Add shackles or remove leaves & you prob should install them while you're in there doing the work.

Soak the original hardware down several days in a row before starting (especially you guys up north).

[brossow]

Okay, next question: where can I actually find Western Chassis stuff for sale? Their website is absolutely no help and I've spent all afternoon searching online for anyone who sells their stuff. Very frustrating.

[lolife99]

I thought some one on here was buying Western stuff thru Hunters In Nahsville.

http://www.hunterscustom.com/home.htm