Lowering the 72....

[Redleg]

Ok, so maybe i have to many irons in the fire right now, but wanted to get some early advice on lowering my 72.

The front currently has 2 1/2 drop spindles. My plan is to add 1" MAYBE 2" drop springs.

The rear is leaf springs. I cannot honestly say what the guy before me did to lower it. Maybe removed a spring or heated them? Anyway, its lower than factory, but not low enough. Also has a very crappy payload. It sags horrbily under a couple hundred pounds...

I want to drop it at least 4". As you can see its leaf spring....I dont want to do a C-Notch.....or air bags. Just a conventional lower without the big budget!!!!

[N2TRUX]

For the front I would start by cutting (not heating) your stock coil. As a rule of thumb, 1/2 coil is about 1" of drop, and a full coil gets around 2". See if you like that before you invest in replacement springs. If you do replace your front springs take a look in our Suspension Marketplace, or Vendor Marketplace for some great deals.

It appears that you only have 3 leaves in your spring pack. That means that the PO pulled 2-3 leaves out of the pack so it should be pretty soft and probably bouncy. I know you said you didn't want bags, but that would be a great way to go in the rear. an Air over Leaf (AoL) system would give you your load capacity back, and control the ride as well.

[lolife99]

www.PerformanceOnline.com sells 3" 4" and 5" drop leaf springs.

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by lolife99

www.PerformanceOnline.com sells 3" 4" and 5" drop leaf springs.

Thank ya sir! that helps alot!

[Redleg]

I think for now, while my money is being pored elsewhere into the truck, that I will try cutting the spring and installing 2" drop shackles.

When the engine/tranny swap, then the body work, then paint is done. I will look into doing a full custom drop.

Right now i found the drop shackles for the rear for $55. That with the leaf springs taken out should drop it enough for now.

THen i will lower the front after i determine how low the rear will go. WIll see if i need to take out a half round of spring or full... Maybe i will get lucky an it will be a cheapo 4"-5" drop.......

But this will all be temporary as i dont like doing things half ass......But i can afford the $55 now to get me where i want...

Thankfully besides hauling motor parts she doesnt get much "truck" work. Just daily driven to work and back...

[Redleg]

I guess i could also do what i did when i was 16 and broke.

Use clamps on the springs so I wouldnt have to cut them? lol...

Only differance between 14 years ago and now is. As a family im not broke. But according to the Wife, i am BROKE when it comes to the truck mods budget!!!

[longbed67]

if your on a budget, for the rear flip the leaf stack to the bottom of the axle and add a leaf back into the stack and get your ride quality back. you will still be lower and then you can have improved handling, and if you want to go lower yet just add a steel block the distance you want to further lower.

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by longbed67

if your on a budget, for the rear flip the leaf stack to the bottom of the axle and add a leaf back into the stack and get your ride quality back. you will still be lower and then you can have improved handling, and if you want to go lower yet just add a steel block the distance you want to further lower.

Yep, thought about that to if i can get ahold of some more leaf springs. I really dont want to flip it until i have a full load of leaf springs!

And like you said, once thats done i can just add blocks......

[longbed67]

measure the width of the spring you need and I am sure you can get a stack or two off of another year chevy down at any junk yard super cheap and just add the leaves out of it that you want to your stack!

[blime81]

I'm with N2TRUX. Air over leaf. You'll get your payload back and if you don't go all out (right away) on compressor, valves and whatnot you can do it on the cheap with schraders and filling them at home or gas station.

Then you can upgrade the air management later instead of spending money twice by going cheap now and doing something else later.