Help with Extreme Static Drop on 66

[Doug19]

I'm looking to do a rear static drop on my 3/4 ton 1966 GMC. I want to lower the truck as low as possible but be able to still safely drive it. It will never be a daily driver. I would like the frame to be 6"-7" off the ground measuring from right under the cab where it is flat. I would like to flip the axle and then remove some springs to get to this point. The problem I am having is finding a flip kit made specificaly for the 66 trucks. I also have a 8-lug rearend and would like to switch to 5-lug. I'm having a hard time finding a rearend in my area that will be a good fit for the truck for a reasonable price, are there any other options out there like just switching axles. I'm new to this ad this is my first major project just looking for some pointer to help out.


Here is what i'm working with:

[DERRSTROIER]

well i would have to find new diff and cut the leaf pads off and weld them on upside down and check pinion angle.and buy longer shackle for the leaf. i made mine at -3 and weld it up and i have a 67 with an 82 4x4 diff set up that way ,shackle,flip,and a small c notch

[SCOTI]

If your plan is to swap in a new/different housing, I would do as suggested above & add spring perches to the bottom of the tubes on the 'new' housing. This is how cars are set-up. It might even be possible to find a car housing w/the pads @ the right dimensions for a direct swap (unlikely, but possible).

[texastrendz]

You could do a link style suspension with some coilovers so you would have some adjust-ability. Would be a little fab work and some homework on your part, but would be a nice setup. Would ride really good also, as long as the truck is not used as a hauler.

[Doug19]

So I need to find a 70's chevy 5-lug rearend. Cut off all the brackets on that rearend as I have a feeling I won't be able to find one with leaf springs. Then make some measurement for placement. Remove 8 lug, put 5 lug on top of leafsrpings with new leaf perches. Set pinion angle, tighten things down and then weld leaf perches in place.

Does this sound like i'm on the right track.

Also anyone have a picture like mine with a axle flip done so I can see the finished project?

[project 67 sub]

look for a 73 & up 5 lug rear end as they only came with leaf springs in the rear, and will also be alot easier to find than a 71-72 c10 5 lug leaf spring rear end

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Doug19

So I need to find a 70's chevy 5-lug rearend. Cut off all the brackets on that rearend as I have a feeling I won't be able to find one with leaf springs. Then make some measurement for placement. Remove 8 lug, put 5 lug on top of leafsrpings with new leaf perches. Set pinion angle, tighten things down and then weld leaf perches in place.

Does this sound like i'm on the right track.

Originally Posted by project 67 sub

look for a 73 & up 5 lug rear end as they only came with leaf springs in the rear, and will also be alot easier to find than a 71-72 c10 5 lug leaf spring rear end

Exactly how I would do this swap....

[DERRSTROIER]

[DERRSTROIER]

[ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH] this is what i got

[DERRSTROIER]

hope this helps

[Doug19]

Thank you so much, you guys are awesome. The pictures are perfect just what I need to get me headed in the right direction. Now to find a rear end.

[Doug19]

You guys think this is a good buy? I found a 1971 c-10 1/2 ton chassis that comes with 10 bolt 5-lug rearend, front crossmember, 350 engine, and cab for $1100. I'm in Pittsburgh Pa. I know i'll have to cut off all the brackets since it is not a leaf spring truck, but I was going to have to do it anyways even if I found a leaf spring truck.

Also if I plan on lowering the rear by close to 10 inches, will I be able to lower the front enough to compensate for the rear by using the crossmember out of the parts truck with lowered spindles and lowered springs?

[SCOTI]

71's came w/5-lug 12-bolt housings. If it's indeed a 10-bolt, it was swapped for a later model rear-end @ some point.

As for if it's a "good buy" or not, how many of the remaining parts can you use toward your project? If you use most of it, then it's not $$ wasted on stuff that goes unused.

The front of the 63-87 1/2 ton trucks can be static dropped around 6" max using factory stuff w/o mods. At that point you have to be concerned w/the lower a-arm bushings & x-member contacting the ground. A larger truck will typically be slightly higher off the ground so it can go more (6-8") before there are clearance issues on the bottom. The trick is the issue typically becomes clearance within the wheel wells depending on overall tire heights used.