Leaf springs and lowering the truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 07-14-2015, 06:46 PM

71 Chevy 1/2, short/fleet Custom Deluxe 2WD

I'm going to remove the leaf springs, and it was suggested I have them checked for proper specs. I thought I could have this done with the leafs off.......but (please bear w me, I'm green).

Just got off the phone with a guy who comes HIGHLY recommended by suspension shops. He says "they don't tell you what the specs are supposed to be". I think I'll call BS on that one. He can barely speak English and was difficult to understand. At any rate, he says to bring the truck in assembled, and he can arc the springs to the height that I want. I really didn't expect that at all. I've heard you can remove leaf springs to lower the ride, but that doesn't seem like a good idea. He also says there's a chance the leaf heights vary anyway. Seems logical, the truck is 46 years old.

I've pondered dropping this a touch. Maybe 2" front and back. Sounds like drop spindles for the fronts is a great method. My question is, what are your thoughts doing what he's suggested for a rear drop? Other concerns?

If true, this will involve a change of plans. I'd probably "restore" some of the leaf spring parts, slap the leafs back on, only to have them removed again after the bed is back on, in order to judge desired height.

07-14-2015, 06:46 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,692	Leaf springs and lowering the truck 71 Chevy 1/2, short/fleet Custom Deluxe 2WD I'm going to remove the leaf springs, and it was suggested I have them checked for proper specs. I thought I could have this done with the leafs off.......but (please bear w me, I'm green). Just got off the phone with a guy who comes HIGHLY recommended by suspension shops. He says "they don't tell you what the specs are supposed to be". I think I'll call BS on that one. He can barely speak English and was difficult to understand. At any rate, he says to bring the truck in assembled, and he can arc the springs to the height that I want. I really didn't expect that at all. I've heard you can remove leaf springs to lower the ride, but that doesn't seem like a good idea. He also says there's a chance the leaf heights vary anyway. Seems logical, the truck is 46 years old. I've pondered dropping this a touch. Maybe 2" front and back. Sounds like drop spindles for the fronts is a great method. My question is, what are your thoughts doing what he's suggested for a rear drop? Other concerns? If true, this will involve a change of plans. I'd probably "restore" some of the leaf spring parts, slap the leafs back on, only to have them removed again after the bed is back on, in order to judge desired height. __________________ Tony 1971 C10 Custom Deluxe SWB 402/400TH A/C I developed an assembly information kit for restoring my truck from nuts and bolts. It's written in Assy. order, short & simple, packed with all OEM hardware ID; castings; part ID; 100s of part numbers; wiring simple - Resource, and trivial too. Much info. applies to all 67-72 GM, A/C vehicles, esp. trucks W/O saying. Full search ability, including to 700+ images of illus., parts, charts, Assy., points of interest, cab, bed, & front clip cart plans- Specials and cores were serviced out and R excluded e.g. front/rear glass, body/paint, engine core, rebuilt hinges, steering box, trans, etc. The project was in-line with long former professions developing process, policy, specs, demo, written for novices, admin., policy, engineers, development, systems & test - Public & govt 2, gross. Sell soft copy cheaply, PM if interested.Build thread:https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 07-14-2015 at 06:54 PM.



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