Lowering a 78 Suburban - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rich0313 · 03-15-2011, 02:19 PM

I'm in the process of lowering my 78 suburban 2wd and have already dropped the front 4 inches. Looking to drop the back the same with lowered leaf springs, but can't seem to find this part anywhere. I tried Brother's, but was told their springs wouldn't work for my burb. Anyone know where I can get some 4 inch lowered leaf springs?? Thanks!

79gmcclassic · 03-15-2011, 07:02 PM

pics?

justpball · 03-15-2011, 07:07 PM

do a flip kit.

rich0313 · 03-15-2011, 07:17 PM

001 by isaacsmom2010, on Flickr

Bought it off the original 83 yr old owner that used it as a hearse.

justpball · 03-15-2011, 07:20 PM

very nice!

rich0313 · 03-15-2011, 07:37 PM

Any suggestions on which flip kit? I see that some say 6 inch and I only need 4. Or do you use hangers with the flip kit? I'm confused. If you can explain I'd be very appreciative. Thanks!

SBTork · 03-15-2011, 08:26 PM

The flip kit puts the rear axle over the leaf springs as opposed to it's stock location under the springs. It's just the flip kit, you do not use shackles or hangers, and it uses the stock springs. It nets about 6" or so of drop. I will post some pics of mine in my thread once I get to my home computer.

motornut · 03-15-2011, 11:43 PM

a woody?sure in nice shape

SBTork · 03-16-2011, 02:17 AM

here is mine, flip'd rear......

rich0313 · 03-16-2011, 10:23 AM

Thanks, I was looking to do lowered leaf spriings because I need to replace mine anyway. I found a flip kit that does 4 inches so I think I'm good to go. Hopefully will be done soon and I can post pics then! Thanks for all your help.

rich0313 · 03-16-2011, 08:03 PM

SBTork - how low did you drop the front? I dropped the front 4 and don:t want to drop the rear lower and I think a 6 inch flip will?

SBTork · 03-16-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich0313

SBTork - how low did you drop the front? I dropped the front 4 and don:t want to drop the rear lower and I think a 6 inch flip will?

For the front I cut one full coil from the stock coils, then added 2.5" drop spindles. It will be on air soon though.....

The rear on mine is flipped and is dropped a tad more than 6" I think, that and any lower will require a c-notch or step notch to the frame, which I also plan on doing.

b.eddy's72 · 03-28-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich0313

Thanks, I was looking to do lowered leaf spriings because I need to replace mine anyway. I found a flip kit that does 4 inches so I think I'm good to go. Hopefully will be done soon and I can post pics then! Thanks for all your help.

The flip kit will give you an approximate drop. You really want to get a closer measurement than climb under with a tape measure and measure the axle from perch to bottom of axle then add the total thickness of the spring pack. It should be about 6 inches depending on the thickness of the springpack. If you say you need to replace your springs anyway then go with a heavier spring with less springs in the pack and you will get less drop.

You could also do the flip and relocate the spring hanger to make up for the extra 2 inches the filp gave.

Just suggestions Good Luck

*abigaillozano* · 07-29-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBTork

It will be on air soon though.....

I didn't know subies can become a hearse, but that is one interesting application of this classic!

@SBTork, have you installed your air suspension already? Shows us some pictures of that mod please!

________________________________
A good sport truck is a lowered one!

motornut · 07-31-2011, 10:29 PM

I've seen some since being around here
would be a nice find most are driven slow and well maintained

b.eddy's72 · 07-31-2011, 10:47 PM

Here is my sons Burb......The axle was on the bump stops there but they have been cut off and Axle is on the frame now. I have the materials for the c-notch just need time to do it. The receiver hitch is now 1/2 inch from the ground. It has a flip kit and 2 inch rear schackles and about to also have 2600 bags.
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Name: 196468_1907854302926_1438871809_32146520_5395787_n.jpg
Views: 5762
Size: 64.5 KB

SBTork · 08-01-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abigaillozano

I didn't know subies can become a hearse, but that is one interesting application of this classic!

@SBTork, have you installed your air suspension already? Shows us some pictures of that mod please!

________________________________
A good sport truck is a lowered one!

No bags yet, but very soon. I will keep you posted!

Alfiguret · 11-13-2014, 04:57 PM

you can use the main leaf spring of suburban but fix it under rear axle instead of upper of axle.

Ice&burban · 12-10-2014, 12:05 AM

Ok here's a question. Why couldn't you use a 3" drop spring for pick up? With the added weight of the burb, wouldn't that give you around 4"? Would this work or not?

03-15-2011, 02:19 PM	#1
rich0313 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanover PA Posts: 5	Lowering a 78 Suburban I'm in the process of lowering my 78 suburban 2wd and have already dropped the front 4 inches. Looking to drop the back the same with lowered leaf springs, but can't seem to find this part anywhere. I tried Brother's, but was told their springs wouldn't work for my burb. Anyone know where I can get some 4 inch lowered leaf springs?? Thanks!

03-15-2011, 07:02 PM	#2
79gmcclassic Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Green bay, Wisconsin Posts: 593	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban pics? __________________ 1979 GMC Sierra Classic Freshly lowered 5 inches

03-15-2011, 07:07 PM	#3
justpball Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Silverhill, Al Posts: 2,026	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban do a flip kit. __________________ Fuzzy Dice Club Member 87 Crew SWB Build for the crew http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=430082 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3232925 90 burb 2wd Build Thread For The Burb! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=383055

03-15-2011, 07:17 PM	#4
rich0313 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanover PA Posts: 5	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban 001 by isaacsmom2010, on Flickr Bought it off the original 83 yr old owner that used it as a hearse. Last edited by rich0313; 03-15-2011 at 07:19 PM.

03-15-2011, 07:20 PM	#5
justpball Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Silverhill, Al Posts: 2,026	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban very nice! __________________ Fuzzy Dice Club Member 87 Crew SWB Build for the crew http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=430082 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3232925 90 burb 2wd Build Thread For The Burb! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=383055

03-15-2011, 07:37 PM	#6
rich0313 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanover PA Posts: 5	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban Any suggestions on which flip kit? I see that some say 6 inch and I only need 4. Or do you use hangers with the flip kit? I'm confused. If you can explain I'd be very appreciative. Thanks!

03-15-2011, 08:26 PM	#7
SBTork Garage wrench Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaCrosse, WI Posts: 1,855	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban The flip kit puts the rear axle over the leaf springs as opposed to it's stock location under the springs. It's just the flip kit, you do not use shackles or hangers, and it uses the stock springs. It nets about 6" or so of drop. I will post some pics of mine in my thread once I get to my home computer. __________________ -Adam 90 V1500 GMC Suburban 350/700R4/NP241..... 01 Saturn SL1 stock DD.....

03-15-2011, 11:43 PM	#8
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban a woody?sure in nice shape __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

03-16-2011, 02:17 AM	#9
SBTork Garage wrench Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaCrosse, WI Posts: 1,855	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban here is mine, flip'd rear...... __________________ -Adam 90 V1500 GMC Suburban 350/700R4/NP241..... 01 Saturn SL1 stock DD.....

03-16-2011, 10:23 AM	#10
rich0313 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanover PA Posts: 5	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban Thanks, I was looking to do lowered leaf spriings because I need to replace mine anyway. I found a flip kit that does 4 inches so I think I'm good to go. Hopefully will be done soon and I can post pics then! Thanks for all your help.

03-16-2011, 08:03 PM	#11
rich0313 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanover PA Posts: 5	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban SBTork - how low did you drop the front? I dropped the front 4 and don:t want to drop the rear lower and I think a 6 inch flip will?

07-31-2011, 10:29 PM	#15
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban I've seen some since being around here would be a nice find most are driven slow and well maintained Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

07-31-2011, 10:47 PM	#16
b.eddy's72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WEATHEROFRD, TX Posts: 164	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban Here is my sons Burb......The axle was on the bump stops there but they have been cut off and Axle is on the frame now. I have the materials for the c-notch just need time to do it. The receiver hitch is now 1/2 inch from the ground. It has a flip kit and 2 inch rear schackles and about to also have 2600 bags. __________________ 72 Chevy LB, LS in the works, 4L80, Grandfather bought it brand new. 66 GMC Short Step, 84 Front Suspension, many more mods to come 67 Chevy 3/4 Ton, 327, Auto, Factory A/C Ya must have been movin cause I was haulin a*$ when I passed you

11-13-2014, 04:57 PM	#18
Alfiguret Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: tehran-iran Posts: 2	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban you can use the main leaf spring of suburban but fix it under rear axle instead of upper of axle.

12-10-2014, 12:05 AM	#19
Ice&burban Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Wrightsville, PA Posts: 31	Re: Lowering a 78 Suburban Ok here's a question. Why couldn't you use a 3" drop spring for pick up? With the added weight of the burb, wouldn't that give you around 4"? Would this work or not?



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