Lowering the rear of my '63 GMC 1500, couple of ??'s - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lvin4jc · 03-17-2012, 08:28 AM

I've been looking at options to lower the rear of my truck. Was looking into a rear flip kit but this 3/4 ton is heavier duty back there than I figured it would be and there's no way it will fit without a C-notch kit which is further than I want to go with it at least for now.

I will start by removing some rear leaf springs. There's 10 right now and they're thick too. I plan to remove 7 of them which would give me a 2" drop.

I see a couple of drop shackles out there for these trucks that are adjustable, either 1" or 2" of drop. But when I crawl under the truck I don't think there's any more than 2" between the top of the stock shackle and the wood of the bed. Does the drop shackle just rest within millimeters of the bed wood or am I thinking backwards or something?

Also, it looks like there's room to flip the front spring hanger on the frame which i'm guessing would drop another 2"-3", have any of you guys done that or is it a bad idea for some reason?

- Joe -

**ChiefRocka** · 03-17-2012, 09:25 AM

The best way would be to combine all of above. Removing 7 leafs seem a little drastic.

I would extend the shackle and relocate the hanger as well.

Keep in mind that moving one end of the spring will give you HALF of the measurement.

So if you were to move the hanger 3".... The truck will drop 1.5".
Posted via Mobile Device

lvin4jc · 03-17-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Keep in mind that moving one end of the spring will give you HALF of the measurement.

So if you were to move the hanger 3".... The truck will drop 1.5".
Posted via Mobile Device

I wrote this thread before I had my coffee..

Thanks for the response, sounds like a decent weekend project.

gimmy 64 · 03-17-2012, 07:12 PM

my truck is 1/2 ton but what i did was remove all leafs but 3 main ,long leafs and got the long shackles from ece and i dropped probly 4 inches or more

tincan1966 · 03-18-2012, 08:40 AM

One thing to consider when removing spring leaves-you may get more drop than just the spring thickness, because you are also removing some of the spring rate and the weight of the truck will de-arch the softer spring set.

blacknwhitedog · 03-18-2012, 11:32 AM

Mines a half ton, used re-arched leaf springs..dropped it 4" in the rear. no C notch...CPP has em.

Any competent spring shop could re-arch yours as well.

lvin4jc · 03-18-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tincan1966

One thing to consider when removing spring leaves-you may get more drop than just the spring thickness, because you are also removing some of the spring rate and the weight of the truck will de-arch the softer spring set.

I'm hoping for that as well.

Vernski · 03-19-2012, 06:59 AM

Best to take the springs to a spring works, you tell them what kind of ride you want and how much drop. They know witch leaves to take out to make it work right. My 65 GMC had 8 leaves on each side they took out 3 per side to get the ride I wanted but I used shackles to get the drop I was seeking also...Vernski

03-17-2012, 08:28 AM	#1
lvin4jc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Black Hawk, SD Posts: 16	Lowering the rear of my '63 GMC 1500, couple of ??'s I've been looking at options to lower the rear of my truck. Was looking into a rear flip kit but this 3/4 ton is heavier duty back there than I figured it would be and there's no way it will fit without a C-notch kit which is further than I want to go with it at least for now. I will start by removing some rear leaf springs. There's 10 right now and they're thick too. I plan to remove 7 of them which would give me a 2" drop. I see a couple of drop shackles out there for these trucks that are adjustable, either 1" or 2" of drop. But when I crawl under the truck I don't think there's any more than 2" between the top of the stock shackle and the wood of the bed. Does the drop shackle just rest within millimeters of the bed wood or am I thinking backwards or something? Also, it looks like there's room to flip the front spring hanger on the frame which i'm guessing would drop another 2"-3", have any of you guys done that or is it a bad idea for some reason? - Joe - __________________ 1963 GMC 1500 2wd 4spd BB 305 V6 "Remmy" the rat rod

03-17-2012, 09:25 AM	#2
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: Lowering the rear of my '63 GMC 1500, couple of ??'s The best way would be to combine all of above. Removing 7 leafs seem a little drastic. I would extend the shackle and relocate the hanger as well. Keep in mind that moving one end of the spring will give you HALF of the measurement. So if you were to move the hanger 3".... The truck will drop 1.5". Posted via Mobile Device __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"

03-17-2012, 07:12 PM	#4
gimmy 64 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: menifee california Posts: 788	Re: Lowering the rear of my '63 GMC 1500, couple of ??'s my truck is 1/2 ton but what i did was remove all leafs but 3 main ,long leafs and got the long shackles from ece and i dropped probly 4 inches or more

03-18-2012, 08:40 AM	#5
tincan1966 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Independence,KS Posts: 1,477	Re: Lowering the rear of my '63 GMC 1500, couple of ??'s One thing to consider when removing spring leaves-you may get more drop than just the spring thickness, because you are also removing some of the spring rate and the weight of the truck will de-arch the softer spring set.

03-18-2012, 11:32 AM	#6
blacknwhitedog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sonoma CA Posts: 55	Re: Lowering the rear of my '63 GMC 1500, couple of ??'s Mines a half ton, used re-arched leaf springs..dropped it 4" in the rear. no C notch...CPP has em. Any competent spring shop could re-arch yours as well.

03-19-2012, 06:59 AM	#8
Vernski Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rathdrum, Idaho Posts: 1,135	Re: Lowering the rear of my '63 GMC 1500, couple of ??'s Best to take the springs to a spring works, you tell them what kind of ride you want and how much drop. They know witch leaves to take out to make it work right. My 65 GMC had 8 leaves on each side they took out 3 per side to get the ride I wanted but I used shackles to get the drop I was seeking also...Vernski



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