Lowering a gmc with leafs?

[LoudLowNslow]

Looking to lower my 66 gmc short bed step side. Can't find much info because most of you lucky guys don't have leaf springs.

Looking to do 4/5 or 4/6

2" spindles and 2" springs for the front?

Axle flip for rear? Any how-to's?

I read on a different site about a guy that did an axle flip and had to shorten his driveshaft 2"?? Any advice is appreciated.. Thanks guys -Paul
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[gimmy 64]

i took all but the 3 long leafs off and put on lowering shackles. lowered the truck about 3-4 inches. it's hard to find flip kits for these trucks they have
2 1/4 inch wide leafs most others have 2 1/2 leafs.

[protrash64]

My '64 shorty has leafs and is flipped. I think a couple leafs were removed also. (Done by PO). I put in a new rear; you just need axle mounts for a 3'' tube and weld them on. Available everywhere and cheap.

Cant help you with the driveshaft issue; I re-did my whole driveline and moved my engine forward so I have no point of reference to start with. I had to get my driveshaft re-done.

You may have to play with the shocks for correct travel??

[LoudLowNslow]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

i took all but the 3 long leafs off and put on lowering shackles. lowered the truck about 3-4 inches. it's hard to find flip kits for these trucks they have
2 1/4 inch wide leafs most others have 2 1/2 leafs.

Which shackles are you running?
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[lolife99]

DJM makes a flip kit for these trucks.
(DJM-FK1012-5)
Look at Summit Racing.
They have them in stock.

http://www.djmsuspension.com/applica...63C10Parts.htm
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DJM-FK1012-5/

[lolife99]

DJM install instructions:

http://www.djmsuspension.com/Instruc...p/FK1012-5.pdf

[LoudLowNslow]

So 70-72 is the same as a 66?
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[lolife99]

I would say so.
The other option is a drop leaf spring like these from ECE.
http://www.earlyclassic.com/Tech.asp...=Spring%20Time

I think the flip kit would be easier.

[lolife99]

Performance online also has drop leaf springs:
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...AF-SPRING-SET/
They list them as 66-72 or 73-87.

[LoudLowNslow]

Damn I didn't realize how expensive drop spindles are I'm trying to get those done on a budget. I might end up going with 3" drop springs up front, shackles and remove a couple leafs for the back. For now at least, I hate cutting corners but I have ALOT to do to get this thing road worthy by spring lol. Thanks for the links, I saved them.
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[lolife99]

Drop spindles are $228 at Performance Online every day.

[LoudLowNslow]

Didn't check out the link yet, but then wouldn't I have to convert to disc brakes? Everything adds up
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[gimmy 64]

i went with ECE shackles

[Greshampiglet]

I used 2" drop a-frames in the front and took 2 short springs out of the leafs and re-arched them rides great

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by LoudLowNslow

Didn't check out the link yet, but then wouldn't I have to convert to disc brakes? Everything adds up
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Yes.
But I would spend my money on disc brakes,... way before I lowered anything.

[Greshampiglet]

Mine has PDB

[LoudLowNslow]

What's PDB?

It will eventually get disc brakes, just not yet
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[Greshampiglet]

Power disc brakes, I put mine on after I lowered it I just had to change Lower ball joints, I don't know, if the rest of the form belive in lowerd a-arms and I have never used droped spindles, but mine looks good and handles great

[gimmy 64]

i have a set if 3in. dropped front springs if interested

[LoudLowNslow]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

i have a set if 3in. dropped front springs if interested

Pm me with price, shipped to 02375
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[shawno72]

I lowered my 72 with the 4" drop monoleafs from GMC Pauls and the 2" rear drop shackles from CPP. The rear still wasn't low enough so I installed a cnotch and raised the front hangers up 2". All of this can be seen on my homepage gallery of the 1972. The front drop for referance was ECE 2 1/2" drop spindles and 2" CPP drop springs.

[boucher racing]

I have a GMC C1000 SWB. I lowered it first by removing every other leaf spring ( I believe I removed 5 leaf's). It was not low enough, so I put a drop shackle on the rear. It got it very close to where I wanted it, but not enough. So finally, I removed the shortest, stubby, leaf. Now, its just right. I remember I had to have 4 new U-bolts bent because there were no threads left to thread. I got the shackles on ebay from CPP - 63-72 Chevy Truck Rear 1"- 2" Drop Leaf Spring Shackles.

Good Luck.

[Bazooka]

Originally Posted by lolife99

DJM makes a flip kit for these trucks.
(DJM-FK1012-5)
Look at Summit Racing.
They have them in stock.

http://www.djmsuspension.com/applica...63C10Parts.htm
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DJM-FK1012-5/

The description of the djm flip kit says its for 70-72 will it work on our 60s gmc trucks?

[Slammed96]

Did anyone ever confirm the kit working on 60s trucks? Thinking about buying one if so, current setup isn't working out too well.

[Robert Haas]

I went with the CPP dropped spindle disc conversion, I also went to a 5" on 5" bolt pattern and re-drilled my axles to the same pattern so I could run modern looking 5 lug wheels. Out back I flipped my set up by cutting off the perches and re-welded them to the same rear end. I set the pinion angle and welded it up. I had already had the stock springs re-arched so when I was done the rear end was just to low so I drilled out the rivets and remounted the front spring hangers 2 Inches lower on the frame, this raised the truck one inch.


this is with the dropped spindles and re-arched springs pre flip



this is the front perch after I boxed in the top and re-welded it to the frame.



notch in place ready to weld


after, And I love the new stance.



out in the world