Suburban lowering help

[Ol' Drippy]

Hey there I have a 78 suburban 2wd and I am trying to figure out the best way to drop the rear. I want to lower it about 4-5 inches but still maintain the trucks towing ability so no frame notches at the moment. Extended rear shackles are a problem because they would bump up against the gas filler tube. I would love to just use a flip kit but that would pretty much put the rear axle sitting on the frame. So my thought was flip kit in rear and then reverse the shackle like the 4wd guys do to gain back some clearance, anyone ever try this? I have also contemplated de-arching the springs but I don't know anyone near me that does it. I could also just go ahead and order new drop rear leaf springs but they are expensive, what do you guys think?

[Bad Karma]

Here's what I did before (and am about to do again) on my '77 Suburban and it worked GREAT. Install a 2 to 2.5 inch add-a-leaf in the rear springs, then do the flip kit. Rear tires are 275/60-15s on 15x8 wheels and the top of the tire was just tucked under the rear fender. It rode great, rarely bottomed (no notch). I seem to remember trimming the bumpstop and the bumpstop bracket, but it was easy.

[Ol' Drippy]

Thanks for the idea, what kind of add-a-leaf did you use? I am concerned that the ride would become much stiffer, did you notice much of a difference?

[N2TRUX]

Welcome to the forum Ol' Drippy. Have you looked at raising the hangers yet? On trucks you can raise the spring hanger up on the frame and gain 1.5" of drop. I know the Burb frame is different and the hangers are smaller, just not sure if there is room to raise them.

On a Blazer, you have to mod the filler tube to clear a shackle, so I will assume the Burb is similiar. You can use mandrel bends and make a metal tube to gain the clearance you need.

[Bad Karma]

Originally Posted by Ol' Drippy

Thanks for the idea, what kind of add-a-leaf did you use? I am concerned that the ride would become much stiffer, did you notice much of a difference?

I can't remember the brand of add-a-leaf (maybe Superlift?), just measure your spring width and search Summit Racing, that's where I got it from. I used the short springs.

Remember, the suburbans are way heavier than pickups in the rear. I used to tow a rockcrawler on an 18' car hauler with mine. It rode great with or without the trailer. It won't be too stiff, mine was just right.

[Ol' Drippy]

I think that the best thing to do without modifying the rear springs themselves would be to use some 4x4 hangers for the rear to lift it a little. Does anyone know if the suburban hangers are different from the pickups and blazers?