Best way to lower a 72 3/4 LB - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sosocal · 03-12-2003, 06:04 PM

new to the site, I have a 72 3/4 ton LB that I bought from a little old Chaplain (no kidding) 1 owner, camper custom, 4500 bucks in receipts in the last 3 years, paid 3300, the camper is MIA, I am shaving everything except top and bottom trim, my question is, what is the best way to lower this beast? I like the airbag idea but I haven't seen alot in the way of anything for our year trucks in 3/4, can you guys help out? next question will be build up the 350 sb with a power charger or move up to a BB by the way, factory air.

Long Knight · 03-12-2003, 06:35 PM

I haven't done this stuff, but I can tell you you've come to the right place!

Welcome from Kansas City!

special70gmc · 03-12-2003, 08:09 PM

early classic enterprises sells droped spidals as well as drop springs for the 3/4 tons (springs are the same but not spindals) for the back if you have coil springs they sell up to a 6'' spring for the rear. if leafs it depends how much drop you want. flip kits as well as drop shackels are avalable also. enjoy this site it will become addictive over time though. welcome -kyle

spinning wheels · 03-12-2003, 08:31 PM

Welcome to the board! I have the same year and model, cept mine is a GMC. I'm going to lower the rear with, "Rear Drop Shackles", from Classic Performance Products. They retail for $69. Their shop is located in So Cal, in Buena Park. The shackles can lower the rear by 1" or 2". Or you can change your rear leaf springs. You can lower it from 1" to 5" with their leaf spring kits, but they ain't cheap. On the front, I'm leaving mine stock. I figure once the BB is in, it will lower it or just give it the right stance.

special70gmc · 03-12-2003, 08:56 PM

the 1/2 ton springs dont fit in the 3/4 but i havent seen any droped 3/4 leafs if they do sel them i whould like to know who so i can look into them for my ride. -kyle

spinning wheels · 03-13-2003, 01:52 AM

special70gmc, check out www.classicperform.com
They have the leaf springs kits on page 56. They have them from stock height to 5 inch drop. They also have mono leaf spring kits in a 4 inch or 5 1/2 inch drop. I have dealt with them before and they are good people. Some stuff is kinda pricey.

special70gmc · 03-13-2003, 08:40 AM

yeah but those are for a half ton truck the 3/4 's are different lengths than those.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 03-13-2003, 09:11 AM

WELCOME

sosocal · 03-14-2003, 02:10 AM

Thanks for all the replys and the welcomes, I am getting my dropped spindles(front) delivered in the mail in time for next weekend, and I am thinking about bagging the rest since it is all four springs, I definetly wanted to get that front down for a 70's muscle rake, installing my dual fans this weekend, just getting into this after I finally finished my 63 ragtop bug, needed muscle for the VW support team, now I'm into the whole scene, Pictures to come....

dmec · 03-14-2003, 04:09 AM

im curious. i was told the 3/4 spindles required changing to 5 on 5 bolt pattern. sounded to me like they were using 1/2 ton spindle and reaming holes for 3/4 ton balljoints. has this changed? i considered dropping a 3/4 ton but i was going to relocate rear end to top of spring and cut front coils to level out. free drop.

sosocal · 03-14-2003, 01:27 PM

DMEC, Check out the website listed above, I have 8 lugs(I'm assuming your the same, and the spindles will give your front end a 2 and 1/2 inch drop, I would caution about cutting springs, I've tried going that route twice and both times it was a nightmare, not the best ride quality, and getting your front end alligned is tough, I spent more on replacing tires with premature wear that I regretted not spending the dough up front, it may be different with these big trucks but even on a 68 LTD it was nothing but problems, anyone else agree or disagree?

dmec · 03-14-2003, 05:07 PM

i agree with you on cutting springs as far as ride is concerned. but it would be the same as an aftermarket dropped spring which is shorter, the same as cutting a coil. i have used dropped front springs and they were terrible. too soft and bottomed out real bad. i just checked my early classic catalog and the ad for c20 spindles states you have to use either 5 or 6 lug rotors which leads me to believe they are reaming 1/2 ton spindles to accept 3/4 ball joints. maybe things have changed. that is what im curious about.

sosocal · 03-14-2003, 10:10 PM

Like I said I may be wrong, Hey we may have to get together, I'm within driving distance and My Mom lives in Berdoo. What do you think about bagging?

dmec · 03-15-2003, 04:40 AM

yea getting together is good. what town ya in? baggin is expensive and i dont like cutting up the floor of my bed.

sosocal · 03-16-2003, 09:10 PM

Yucca Valley, I put you in buddies. I'm thinking Tommy Burger

dmec · 03-16-2003, 09:44 PM

i just brought home a 67 gmc short fleet from yucca valley. my brother in law lives there and we visit on occasion. he has a maroon 68 lwb. maybe you have seen him around town.

sosocal · 03-17-2003, 12:26 PM

small world, we'll definitely hook up, I've seen your bro's truck, it's a small town, I have the blue 72 lb custom camper that just showed up in town about a month ago, he may have noticed it.

03-12-2003, 06:04 PM	#1
sosocal Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	Best way to lower a 72 3/4 LB new to the site, I have a 72 3/4 ton LB that I bought from a little old Chaplain (no kidding) 1 owner, camper custom, 4500 bucks in receipts in the last 3 years, paid 3300, the camper is MIA, I am shaving everything except top and bottom trim, my question is, what is the best way to lower this beast? I like the airbag idea but I haven't seen alot in the way of anything for our year trucks in 3/4, can you guys help out? next question will be build up the 350 sb with a power charger or move up to a BB by the way, factory air.

03-12-2003, 06:35 PM	#2
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	I haven't done this stuff, but I can tell you you've come to the right place! Welcome from Kansas City! __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

03-12-2003, 08:09 PM	#3
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	early classic enterprises sells droped spidals as well as drop springs for the 3/4 tons (springs are the same but not spindals) for the back if you have coil springs they sell up to a 6'' spring for the rear. if leafs it depends how much drop you want. flip kits as well as drop shackels are avalable also. enjoy this site it will become addictive over time though. welcome -kyle __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

03-12-2003, 08:31 PM	#4
spinning wheels Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hacienda Heights, California USA Posts: 474	Welcome to the board! I have the same year and model, cept mine is a GMC. I'm going to lower the rear with, "Rear Drop Shackles", from Classic Performance Products. They retail for $69. Their shop is located in So Cal, in Buena Park. The shackles can lower the rear by 1" or 2". Or you can change your rear leaf springs. You can lower it from 1" to 5" with their leaf spring kits, but they ain't cheap. On the front, I'm leaving mine stock. I figure once the BB is in, it will lower it or just give it the right stance. __________________ '72 GMC custom camper 350/350

03-12-2003, 08:56 PM	#5
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	the 1/2 ton springs dont fit in the 3/4 but i havent seen any droped 3/4 leafs if they do sel them i whould like to know who so i can look into them for my ride. -kyle __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

03-13-2003, 01:52 AM	#6
spinning wheels Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hacienda Heights, California USA Posts: 474	special70gmc, check out www.classicperform.com They have the leaf springs kits on page 56. They have them from stock height to 5 inch drop. They also have mono leaf spring kits in a 4 inch or 5 1/2 inch drop. I have dealt with them before and they are good people. Some stuff is kinda pricey. __________________ '72 GMC custom camper 350/350

03-13-2003, 08:40 AM	#7
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	yeah but those are for a half ton truck the 3/4 's are different lengths than those. __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

03-13-2003, 09:11 AM	#8
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	WELCOME __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

03-14-2003, 02:10 AM	#9
sosocal Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	Good Looking Out Thanks for all the replys and the welcomes, I am getting my dropped spindles(front) delivered in the mail in time for next weekend, and I am thinking about bagging the rest since it is all four springs, I definetly wanted to get that front down for a 70's muscle rake, installing my dual fans this weekend, just getting into this after I finally finished my 63 ragtop bug, needed muscle for the VW support team, now I'm into the whole scene, Pictures to come....

03-14-2003, 04:09 AM	#10
dmec Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: yucaipa ca Posts: 580	im curious. i was told the 3/4 spindles required changing to 5 on 5 bolt pattern. sounded to me like they were using 1/2 ton spindle and reaming holes for 3/4 ton balljoints. has this changed? i considered dropping a 3/4 ton but i was going to relocate rear end to top of spring and cut front coils to level out. free drop.

03-14-2003, 01:27 PM	#11
sosocal Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	DMEC, Check out the website listed above, I have 8 lugs(I'm assuming your the same, and the spindles will give your front end a 2 and 1/2 inch drop, I would caution about cutting springs, I've tried going that route twice and both times it was a nightmare, not the best ride quality, and getting your front end alligned is tough, I spent more on replacing tires with premature wear that I regretted not spending the dough up front, it may be different with these big trucks but even on a 68 LTD it was nothing but problems, anyone else agree or disagree?

03-14-2003, 05:07 PM	#12
dmec Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: yucaipa ca Posts: 580	i agree with you on cutting springs as far as ride is concerned. but it would be the same as an aftermarket dropped spring which is shorter, the same as cutting a coil. i have used dropped front springs and they were terrible. too soft and bottomed out real bad. i just checked my early classic catalog and the ad for c20 spindles states you have to use either 5 or 6 lug rotors which leads me to believe they are reaming 1/2 ton spindles to accept 3/4 ball joints. maybe things have changed. that is what im curious about.

03-14-2003, 10:10 PM	#13
sosocal Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	Like I said I may be wrong, Hey we may have to get together, I'm within driving distance and My Mom lives in Berdoo. What do you think about bagging?

03-15-2003, 04:40 AM	#14
dmec Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: yucaipa ca Posts: 580	yea getting together is good. what town ya in? baggin is expensive and i dont like cutting up the floor of my bed.

03-16-2003, 09:10 PM	#15
sosocal Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	Yucca Valley, I put you in buddies. I'm thinking Tommy Burger



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03-16-2003, 09:44 PM	#16
dmec Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: yucaipa ca Posts: 580	i just brought home a 67 gmc short fleet from yucca valley. my brother in law lives there and we visit on occasion. he has a maroon 68 lwb. maybe you have seen him around town.

03-17-2003, 12:26 PM	#17
sosocal Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9	small world, we'll definitely hook up, I've seen your bro's truck, it's a small town, I have the blue 72 lb custom camper that just showed up in town about a month ago, he may have noticed it.

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