diy flip kit???will this work???

[bL.A.zer90045]

will is work to run a flip kit on the rear of my 84 c10? i had some left over steel from the 14 and 6 i took outthe frame when i shortened my lwb to a swb.i plan on of course cutting the other 3 arches out and fusing them together(wanted to get you guys feeback/ok before cutting more outalso is there a measurement for where i should drill out the factory ubolt plates,as so i can use them underneath????

[SkinnyG]

For a stepside, drill a 5/8" hole dead center to locate your flip on the leaf center bolt.

For a fleetside, drill a 5/8" hole 1" ahead of center (this moves the axle back a tick).

You can use the factory u-bolt plate as is without drilling, it will just result in the u-bolts being angled slightly. Alternatively, you can drill a 5/8" hole 1" forward as well.

To me, yours looks a bit light duty (though I like the extra plating on the sides). Is the metal 1/8" flat? I would prefer to see 1/4" minimum, preferably 3/8". Here is mine, out of 1/2" flat (DIY shock extenders are 3/16" flat).



Alternatively, you can get Mopar Performance leaf spring perches (P4120074, $12), and weld them on the bottom of the axle tubes (just match the existing perch angle). I think this method is best, and I switched my DIY flip kit out for them. You can see the added 5/8" hole.



Here is evidence of the center bolt wearing a notch into the plate:



So I drilled a hole:



Good luck!

[bL.A.zer90045]

lol, i was looking at your diy extenders(which i made the templates for today also)and flip kit!!! i was planning on doubling up the inner sides of the flip kit which are 1/8 frame steel,so that it would give me 1/4? i was going to order the
spring perches from summit(all56126)as they are only 5.99 ea.i wanted to just do this on the cheap,with scrap i have laying around and get my freshly redone chassis saved rear frame,axle,and leaves under the truck rolling, as im not going to be putting the c10 on the road just yet(will propably trailer it)and i do have future plans of doing a bag over axle rear set-up after i get it to my ranch/workspace where my 86 2wd blazer is along with my other projects,as ive been working on the c10 in my spare time here at one of my girlfriends houses(hoa sucks!)what thickness are your extenders? do you think the 1/8 i have will work? thank you for the hole measurements and clarification on the factory ubolt plates!

[tinydb84]

I wouldnt use 1/8 for that. Definitely 3/16 at minimum. I would spring the 5.99 just to save the time but looks like you already did the labor.

[SkinnyG]

My shock extenders are 3/16" flat. 1/8" feels too thin to me, but it may be just fine. Worst case, it cracks/breaks, and a shock comes loose - not the end of the world.

Having your DIY flip kit crack, fail, and come loose could be MUCH worse.

Do a search for failed flip kits, and get an idea of the metal thickness. The sides are definitely a plus, but the ends and bottom are still important. I don't think I would even try to double up what you have - I would just get some 1/4" or 3/8".

Doubled - would ~you~ use a component that had a crack right down the center of every part of its construction? Would you build a shed with only cracked timber?

I wasn't entirely happy with the multi-piece nature of the flip kit, and I'm much happier with the welded perches. $12 dude. Cheap, quick, and easy. Don't eat out once and it's paid for.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Don't eat out once and it's paid for.

I am so guilty of this. I will spend $100 at a nice dinner and not even think of it and try to build something I could buy for cheap.

[mattcrp1]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I am so guilty of this. I will spend $100 at a nice dinner and not even think of it and try to build something I could buy for cheap.

X2 lol. Same here.

[mattcrp1]

I bought some flip brackets made by a vendor here for a decent price.