1979 Silverado lowering issue

[JROC's Chevy]

Hello everyone. I am new to the site and I just bought a 1979 C-10 Silverado. It has a issue with the rear suspension. The truck has been lowered but not sure exactly how much, Its possibly a 2/4 or 3/4 drop. Some knot head welded the rear leaf spring attached to the underside of the bracket! If any one has a good idea of how to go about fixing this problem... please help me out. Lowereing bracket? Cut weld and reset leaf spring in bracket? I like the way the truck sits and would like to keep close to the same ride profile, maybe an inch taller. I will post some pics tomorrow of the truck and rear leaf spring problem. Thanks.

[Cherub]

pictures would help clarify

[JROC's Chevy]

Here is a pic of the truck. I will post some more pics tomorrow of the leaf springs.

[JROC's Chevy]

http://imgur.com/iYc6uW1

[JROC's Chevy]

Here are the pics of the rear leaf spring job that was done on my 79 chevy. First two pics are the passanger side rear and front leaf spring attachment. Last two pics are the drivers side front and rear leaf spring attachment.

http://imgur.com/2FZnp9H
http://imgur.com/CqNpknY

http://imgur.com/QI42Ods
http://imgur.com/v1O4o3j

[pwradder]

it looks like if you put the spring back where it's supposed to be it'll be about three inches lower in the rear-not what you want. is the rear mounted over the leafs or under it? i cant figure out how the truck is lowered but someone needed to do that to lift it.

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by JROC's Chevy

Here are the pics of the rear leaf spring job that was done on my 79 chevy. First two pics are the passanger side rear and front leaf spring attachment. Last two pics are the drivers side front and rear leaf spring attachment.

http://imgur.com/2FZnp9H
http://imgur.com/CqNpknY

http://imgur.com/QI42Ods
http://imgur.com/v1O4o3j

Wow - I would highly recommend NOT driving that truck until you get the rear suspension fixed properly! Welding on the spring eyes has ruined the main leaf on your rear springs. Once you have cut them free from that hanger, I would throw them away. They have been compromised by welding on them, and will fail at some point. You should be able to just swap out the main leafs for something serviceable (wrecking yard), and install rear shackles and get it back on the road.

As it sits right now, you have the front and rear of the spring ends fixed, which means your rear axle is essentially solid mounted with no suspension.

[ChevDog1]

From the profile pic of the truck, it also appears that the axle has been flipped on top of the rear springs. Correcting the rear end of the springs will probably drop you about 3" from where it sits now. If you do not want to go any lower, you might want to flip the axle back under the springs, and order a shackle / hangar drop to do at the same time.

[JROC's Chevy]

Ok, guys the axle is on top of the leaf springs. So you guys are saying I need new springs and need to put the new springs on top of the axle? What size drop shackles do I need to keep the same ride height? From what I have researched the truck sits about 3"/4" lower than stock height. Do you guys think it needs a 4" rear drop once I get the new springs and axle flipped? Thanks for the advice!

[JROC's Chevy]

Btw chevy dog, the truck is parked. I knew I had to get that fixed ASAP. It also had the frame cut for some reason just above the rear axle. I am having a plate welded into the cut section. Someone abused this ole truck, but I plan on getting her in good operational shape first than get the looks down. The rims and tires will be replaced with some 2012 camaro 5 star polished aluminum possibly wrapped with some 275/55/20's on the rear and some 265/45/20's on the front.

[ChevDog1]

I'm glad to hear that you have parked it. Especially now that you say that the frame was notched without reinforcement. From what you have said, I think that you should be looking into about a 4" drop kit, which is designed to have the axle mounted under the springs, like stock. At the same time, you should look into a proper c-notch kit. This will provide the reinforcement you need to fix your frame that has already been cut. Depending on how they cut it, you may have a little work ahead of you in fitting a notch kit. Depending on where they cut it, you may have to weld in a patch, but it is likely that a c-notch reinforcement will take care of it.

Your poor truck sounds like it suffered a bit of abuse from a well meaning, if a bit ham fisted, previous owner. I feel your pain, as I am still trying to fix all of the wrongdoings in my engine compartment. At least my PO hadn't got around to the suspension when I got it!

[JROC's Chevy]

Do you thinks it's better to weld a patch than to add a c-notch kit. I know nothing about the c-notch stuff. I thought it was for dropping the truck to the ground? I just want to get the frame structural sound and near stock as possible. Can I buy just the rear drop kit? All the kits I have seen come with 2" drop coil springs along with the rear drop shackles. Basically a 2/4 drop kit.

[ChevDog1]

If you are only going to have about 4" of drop, the c-notch isn't really absolutely necessary. I just thought it might be an easier option for fixing your frame. A lot of guys aren't equipped to weld, and a bolt in notch reinforcement would be a good route if you can't weld, or don't have acces to someone who can. If you already have someone who can get your frame patched and back in good condition, that would work also.

[JROC's Chevy]

Gotcha. I'm no welder but got a couple buddies who are real good. Thanks for your advice. I will post some pics once I get it all straighten out.

[JROC's Chevy]

Pics coming soon. Got a my leaf springs coming in and gonna get to work. Chevydog I decided to go with the C-notch kit. thanks for your advice.

[ChevDog1]

Glad I could help!

[Desert1957]

Is this a hole in the frame? Hope not.



Desert

[JROC's Chevy]

Desert its not a hole but in the picture it sure looks like one. Its grease or something, probably from me looking aroung under it.

[JROC's Chevy]

Fella's finally got to do some work on the ole truck. http://imgur.com/JwhdYDh
Here is a picture of it finished. http://imgur.com/5v1aUIu
I do have one question, I noticed the rear shackle's do not stand straight up and down, is this common? The new leaf spring measured exactly the same as the old one which was 52". To me it looks as if I may need to relocated the rear bracket closer to the cab to get the lowering that I want. I am gonna set the bed on first to see how it stands before i do anything.

[ChevDog1]

I thought that shackle angle looked wrong too - so I went back to my build thread where I have a pic of mine with the bed off. Looks about the same, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by JROC's Chevy

Fella's finally got to do some work on the ole truck. http://imgur.com/JwhdYDh
Here is a picture of it finished. http://imgur.com/5v1aUIu
I do have one question, I noticed the rear shackle's do not stand straight up and down, is this common? The new leaf spring measured exactly the same as the old one which was 52". To me it looks as if I may need to relocated the rear bracket closer to the cab to get the lowering that I want. I am gonna set the bed on first to see how it stands before i do anything.

Your rear shackle hangers are in the position for 56in springs, that's why the lean of the shackle. To correct this you need 56in springs or move the shackle hangers forward 4in to the next set of holes.

[JROC's Chevy]

J Knight thats what I was thinking also. By moving them toward the cab should lower the rear a couple more inches...correct?

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by JROC's Chevy

J Knight thats what I was thinking also. By moving them toward the cab should lower the rear a couple more inches...correct?

Yes, and with the weight of the bed will help too.

[JROC's Chevy]

J Knight, thanks. I am going home today and pressure wash everything and set the bed on there to see how it looks. If its not the right height I will be moving the brackets foward. I will post some pics of the ride height before I move the brackets.

[JROC's Chevy]

If I like the ride height do you think this is a issue as far as being operational?