Leaf spring drop

[dfosh]

I have a 68 GMC swb with leaf spring .Truck is stock and I was going to drop the rear then do the front. I got a flip kit from djm part # 1012 with their shock for this kit part #2100 this shock was 21 1/4 in extended and 12in compressed. The flip droped the back 5 and 1/2 inches their shock was longer then the original and bottomed out when the truck was put on the ground. I then did some searching on the site and tried a front shock on the rear kyb344068 this shock extended was 15 1/4 in compressed 9 3/4 in. These numbers should have given me about 3 in travel still bottomed the shock out .Djm said they had sold thousands of this kit and never had this problem. Any ideas ? Thanks in advance.

[sKnNyPpY]

Did you relocate the shock mount to make the shock more vertical? When I flipped mine it bottomed out, too. Shocks were at about 45 degree angle. Drilled out the front mount and added the stud that came with the Monroe shocks to get about 30 degree angle. I eventually replaced rear leafs, too, but the relocate at least should help.

[dfosh]

Yes I did . I moved the top back to another hole in top shock mount. When I moved the axel to the top of the springs and set the truck on the ground the axel touched the frame. I had the bump stop removed .

[sKnNyPpY]

Sounds like your leafs are sprung. I ended up replacing mine after a similar problem. Or you could cnotch to keep a low drop and regain axle travel.

[dfosh]

Your post about your truck was were I got a lot of my info . I called the co you got your springs from they have 6 to eight weeks for the springs 400 plus shipping. thanks

[sKnNyPpY]

Yeah, the 67-68 springs are different and hard to find. Glad my experiences are helping. I have about 2.5 inches of travel with the new springs where I had none before. I would have notched but I had already dropped the front and liked the front drop. I probably will notch one day but I only slap frame when I go too fast over railroad tracks or hit a big bump. The new springs, brackets, and bushings were certainly worth it.

[sKnNyPpY]

You might also try SDtrucksprings. I think that's where I got the shackles.

[72MARIO]

I used stock front shocks on my 72 with a Axel flip and leaf spring. Lots of travel

[dfosh]

I tried the front shock on the rear still bottomed the shock out .I thought I would have had about three inches of travel with them. With no shocks on the truck I am about a 1/4 inch off the axel.

[sKnNyPpY]

It is the leafs not the shocks that give you the travel. Shocks might keep you from sagging a bit, but probably just enough to keep you from sitting on the frame. I have front sized in back too.

[dfosh]

sKnNyPpy , DO you have all the info on your springs ? Like spring rate number of leafs eye to eye length ? Any info you gave when you ordered them . thanks

[sKnNyPpY]

generalspringkc.com #22-409. 1969-1972 2725 lbs capacity 6(5/1) leaf. Just over $350 shipped to SC. They've gone up a bout $30 since I ordered them.
http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/22-409.htm
http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_...972_s/1822.htm

[dfosh]

Thanks, ill let you how it turns out . I am sure it will be a few weeks.

[samlsn]

I found this thread while researching how to go about dropping my leaf spring truck. Thanks I'm going to use those links posted, too.
Also, one of the craziest badass bands ever is named skinny puppy, not sure if thats a coincidence or you already knew that when you chose your screen name

[sKnNyPpY]

The name is from the band...I've seen them three times. wHoA!?! Good luck with your flip, if I can do it practically by myself anyone can.