Need Advise - Do I need a C Notch

[BLUE SQUARE]

I will be lowing my 87 swb 5/7 or 5/6 based on which hole I use in the shackle. I will be buying a Western Chassis Flip Kit and keeping a full spring pack. Then adding the 2" shackles. I've read a couple of members threads where they did not use the C Notch (BiggArmz is one). My truck has a towing package and I may have to tow a vehicle once in a great while. I'm just not sure if a Notch is absolutely necessary. Will just removing the bumb stops give me enough clearance to load or tow anything? Please let me know your experience with this.

[school boy]

definately remove the bump stops, the axle will be very close to these still in place. with my 7 inch rear drop, i have 3.5 to 4 inches from axle to frame and a 250 lb person can jump up and down on the bump and get it to hit. granted i only have the 3 leaf pack too. im going to install the helper bags on mine to hual anything heavy or pull a trailer.

[Rich84]

I think anything more then a flip kit will require a c notch.. But if you have a thick leaf pack it will drop you 6-7 inches.
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[lolife99]

Yes.
C-notch required.

[BLUE SQUARE]

Thanks Keith-

I didn't want to take the bed off more that once. I want to freshin things up while I have the bed off, so I will notch it at the same time. Hopefully, I can still tow a car if needed with the notch.

[lolife99]

These 73-87 trucks had 2 different length leaf springs.
Some were 52".
Some were 56".
One of those will require you to notch a bed support also.
(to clear the 2" drop shackle)
I can't remember which length it was.

[BLUE SQUARE]

I think I'm ok. I actually have 2 inch shackles on it now with no problems. It was sitting real high stock and I had some laying around, so I just slapped em on. That's a great point though. Thanks for the heads up. I like your truck. Those are hard to find in good shape.

[Square_78]

heres mine at ride height in the back or maybe a little higher. I was just hauling my big dirt bike around so I had some more air in the back shocks. Theres a good 3" of space before the axle hits the bumpstops. With all the air out of the back, its an 8" drop and no c-notch. Right now its about 6" lowered in the back and it wont bottom out unless you have 300lbs in the bed and hit a big bump. The only reason I;m going to c-notch it is because I am adding 2.5" drop spindles and 2" lowering blocks in the rear over the winter. Then I will be running 7.5/10 drop. Will probably have to bag the front after I do that

[BLUE SQUARE]

Great info Square_78. Thanks, how do you like those air shocks? I wonder if I can get away with just adding air shocks and if I could tow with them.

I will most likely just notch my frame and be done with mine. I think 6" to 7" is the lowest I will go in the back depending on the rake I get after I drop the fron 5" with 2.5 srings and 2.5 spindles from western chassis. Hopefully the 2.5 spindles don't cause my 15x8 rallies to rub.

[Square_78]

I love the air shocks. I dont know if they are designed for towing or not. But they work great when you need a little extra lift for a heavier load.

[bigblock73]

The shorter springs require the cross sill under the bed to be notched when running drop shackels