Question: Leaf spring drop

[jdw]

Figuring out the front end is pretty straight forward, and there's lots of info here about how to go about it. Same goes for coil rear ends. I've got leafs, and I like it that way, but I haven't seen too much about static dropped leaf rear ends. I'm looking at early classics 4" drop leafs and possibly the 1.5" drop shackles for a total of 5.5". If anyone could recommend a better vendor, I'm certainly listening. I don't know anything about drop leafs, and I do not want to c-notch it. How do these work out? Anybody have some pictures/good links?
Thanks.

[Bryan H]

That is what I have from Early Classic. Mine has the 4" dropped leafs with the 1.5" shackle. If your truck is a fleetside you will have to notch the crossmember under the bed or the leaf springs will hit it. My bed was still on so I just marked it where it was hitting and notched it with a plasma cutter. Not sure on a stepside.I took my bump stops off the rear end but there is probably 2 1/2" before bottoming out so no C-notch. Here are a couple pics. The first pic is just after I installed them and the second is after been driven and they settled some. My rear tires are 255/70/15 on a 8" wheel so you will know for reference. It has been done for about 2 years and have had no problems. I'm not sure who else makes the dropped leafs for these trucks. It rides a little rougher than factory but being lowered I figured it would. Any more questions just let me know.

Bryan

[calvin78612]

Is there a way to center the rear wheels w/a leaf setup ? What about panhard bar and or sway bar ?

[Bryan H]

There are no panhard bar or centering up. The leaf springs have a pin sticking down and the rearend has a hole in the spring perch. Once you line it up and the pin goes in you mount the u-bolts and it will not go anywhere. Thats all you do. The coil spring trucks have it because of the trailing arms. When you lower a coil spring truck the lowering wants to pull the rear to one side. So thats what an adjustable panhard does you use it to pull the rear end back to center.

Bryan

[GMB1985]

I am about to tackle this same thing what drop is on the front of that truck for my reference

[Tx Firefighter]

Why not do a flip ? You get 5-6 drop, still uses stock springs, and drastically cheaper.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Why not do a flip ? You get 5-6 drop, still uses stock springs, and drastically cheaper.

Agree 100%.
The only downfall is DJM is the only company making a " flip kit" for the 67-72.
The other issue is getting the shock angles correct after doing the flip kit.
The rear upper shock mounts are riveted to the frame.
These can be drilled out and moved to a more "vertical" position on the frame,...
but you will have to figure out the correct length rear shock, on your own.

[Bryan H]

Originally Posted by GMB1985

I am about to tackle this same thing what drop is on the front of that truck for my reference

It has 2 1/2" dropped spindles with 1 round cut off the factory coil springs.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Agree 100%.
The only downfall is DJM is the only company making a " flip kit" for the 67-72.
The other issue is getting the shock angles correct after doing the flip kit.
The rear upper shock mounts are riveted to the frame.
These can be drilled out and moved to a more "vertical" position on the frame,...
but you will have to figure out the correct length rear shock, on your own.

You know me, leaf spring pads are 10-20 bucks. My "thriftiness" overcomes my desire to have a store bought bolt on.

[Bryan H]

Originally Posted by lolife99

The rear upper shock mounts are riveted to the frame.
These can be drilled out and moved to a more "vertical" position on the frame,...
but you will have to figure out the correct length rear shock, on your own.

You can also switch left to right and right to left to get a more vertical position if you can get to the rivets to drill out.

[jdw]

Great looking truck, Bryan. Pretty much what I'm looking for. What do you mean by the ride being rougher? Do you feel the ground more? Or is does it handle worse? Both?
I've got about the same wheel/tire combo and the box on it is a 91 step, so until I get that off of there I'm not worried about clearance as the wheels tuck pretty nice.
Searching around google, It's sounds like quite a debate between flip and lowering leafs. I read a lot of info about riding rough, but in both directions. From what I understand, lowering leafs should maintain apx the same stiffness as factory, and the flip will be a 'softer' ride? Is this correct? I want to be able to put some weight in the bed (not a ton, but some here and there) and it seems like the flip would loose more of that ability? I definitely do not want to cut the frame (beyond my ability), and might not even use the shackles. The leafs are ridiculous in cost for what they are...

[sKnNyPpY]

I like my DJM flip. Just use front sized shocks for drop shocks and drill out shock mounts to install new studs: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577529

[sKnNyPpY]

I also just hauled 15 sheets of sheetrock, a door, and 12 rolls of insulation (about 900 lbs) with no problems. It is actually smoother loaded up.

[Bryan H]

Thanks! I guess what I'm saying is the ride is stiffer being lower to the ground compared to driving it at stock height.

[19673ontree]

Back in the 80s I always just took two rear end spring pads set them in place with the rear end on top of the springs waited till dad wasnt looking and tightened them down with the U bolts then used dads welder and welded the new pads to the rear end housing , never had a problem ,

[19673ontree]

Bryan H man that pic makes me want to go to a cruz inn tonite !

[Bryan H]

That was taken at the Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, TN. I actually found the pic on the internet. JDSMotorsports.com always post pics of the event and he actually took one of mine.

[no_rice]

this is a rear flip, with 3" drop front coils and 2" drop spindles on 20's and 22's

[jdw]

Dang, No Rice, nice ride. Love the patina with those wheels and drop.
So, what am I missing here? Flip is cheaper. Both seem to be more or less the same amount of work once you get into it. As far as I can tell, no large vendors make drop hangers for these. So, given the significant cost increase, what's the advantage to shackles and drop leafs? I mean other than the fact that it kinda weirds me out a bit turning the suspension upside down. I certainly don't mind the work, but what gives?

[jdw]

Bryan, stiffer suspension/handling from being lower to the ground sounds good to me... You like that the way it is, or wish you flipped? If so, why? Is it just more performance, and less 'floaty' truck?
Thanks again for the help, all.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by jdw

Dang, No Rice, nice ride. Love the patina with those wheels and drop.
So, what am I missing here? Flip is cheaper. Both seem to be more or less the same amount of work once you get into it. As far as I can tell, no large vendors make drop hangers for these. So, given the significant cost increase, what's the advantage to shackles and drop leafs? I mean other than the fact that it kinda weirds me out a bit turning the suspension upside down. I certainly don't mind the work, but what gives?

You're not turning your suspension upside down. All you're doing is locating the axle atop the springs rather than below it. Think of an S10 pickup, or any mini truck, and most cars too. That's how they are from the factory. You're not affecting the springs at all, or the axle.

[BanditDave]

Originally Posted by no_rice

this is a rear flip, with 3" drop front coils and 2" drop spindles on 20's and 22's

Need more info on wheels/backspacing and tire size my friend...LOVE it!

Pics of the flip and details...you're killing us here!

[Lees68GMC]

If you installed the rear end above the leaf packages then you must have "C" notched the frame too right?

Any way gorgeous truck

[AZBIG1]

I'm took the leaves apart to rebuild. Previouly had two extra leaves added to this truck. I thinned it down to the main leaf and the 2nd leaf with the overload. than I lengthened the stock shackles 2". Like stated above you will have to notch the bed crossmember.
1st I tried it with the overload flipped. Bottomed to easy. Flipped it back. Much better.

FWIW I found a Daystar urathane bushing kit for a 50?-70? Ford that matched the leaf springs 1 1/4" size. Shackles take 1 1/2".

[jdw]

That looks sharp AZBIG1. So you're running the drop shackles with 2 leafs removed, and it bottomed too easy with just a straight flip and stock shackles or with the extra 2" shackles on the flip?