How many leafs???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Keep on Trukin · 01-02-2004, 06:18 PM

I got a 67 GMC short bed and i wanted to econo-lower my truck, i was going to cut a small piece off of the front springs and i wanted to take some leafs out of the back but i dont know how many, can anyone help? And does anyone know how much it will lower it.

navybear70 · 01-04-2004, 05:34 AM

I'll tell you, but I wouldn't recommend it. It destroys the ride, and torques everything out of place. My bumpstops hit the axle all the time. Take out the middle leaf. The longest one connects to the frame, the shortest stops over extension and the next shortest holds them all in line. The middle one, second from the top, is the strongest I believe. I bought my truck with it removed and with the front springs compressed (by heating I think). I added the leaf back and it raised the truck at least a good three inches. Again, I would not recommend this practise. I would just buy a flip kit. But each to his own.
This pic was as it stood with the leaf out.

72MARIO · 01-04-2004, 10:31 PM

Take the rear springs out and get them dearched. As for the front cut a coil off then see what you want in the back

Slammed '87 · 01-05-2004, 03:02 AM

just my input.... i have lowered many 73-87's by removing a few leafs and never had any problems EVER! I find this softens up the ride and you can still carry a decent load! Mind you trucks vary as do their suspension wear. My current daily driver had a few broken leafs, and i wanted to lower it a little, so to kill two birds with one stone, i removed the broken leafs, and also got a 4" drop. I learned all i know bout lowering this route by trial and error. If you find that you don't like the ride after removing a few leafs, you can always reinstall them, and go the flip kit route.

Keep on Trukin · 01-05-2004, 04:34 PM

Slammed 87 which ones did u remove, do u go from top to bottome or start on the bottom?? I will do this and get some shorter shocks front and back.

Slammed '87 · 01-07-2004, 11:00 PM

well to be honest, with my latest truck, i just removed the broke/cracked leafs. They were different ones on both sides, but it worked out good as it lowered both sides approx 4". But ususally i would start with the smallest, or the bottom of the pack and work my way up. On my '87 one pack was way more bagged than the other, so i actually had one and a half more leafs on one side. How half? I just cut a longer leaf off both ends a little until i got a level stance. I made custom spring pack brackets to hold it in place. Not recommend, as i knew mine would be temporary, but it worked for 2 years with a nice ride and no problems! cheers

Keep on Trukin · 01-08-2004, 04:36 PM

Thanks, slammed '87, for the info.

01-02-2004, 06:18 PM	#1
Keep on Trukin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 71	How many leafs???? I got a 67 GMC short bed and i wanted to econo-lower my truck, i was going to cut a small piece off of the front springs and i wanted to take some leafs out of the back but i dont know how many, can anyone help? And does anyone know how much it will lower it.

01-04-2004, 05:34 AM	#2
navybear70 hometown heroes! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ewa Beach, HI Posts: 487	I'll tell you, but I wouldn't recommend it. It destroys the ride, and torques everything out of place. My bumpstops hit the axle all the time. Take out the middle leaf. The longest one connects to the frame, the shortest stops over extension and the next shortest holds them all in line. The middle one, second from the top, is the strongest I believe. I bought my truck with it removed and with the front springs compressed (by heating I think). I added the leaf back and it raised the truck at least a good three inches. Again, I would not recommend this practise. I would just buy a flip kit. But each to his own. This pic was as it stood with the leaf out. Attached Images __________________ 2009 Silverado 2wd, 121k as of 04APR13. I love my truck 29 days out of the month. The payment is due on the 30th... Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. -Robert E. Lee "Never give up ground you've already taken." -Unknown

01-04-2004, 10:31 PM	#3
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Take the rear springs out and get them dearched. As for the front cut a coil off then see what you want in the back __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

01-05-2004, 03:02 AM	#4
Slammed '87 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary Canada Posts: 556	just my input.... i have lowered many 73-87's by removing a few leafs and never had any problems EVER! I find this softens up the ride and you can still carry a decent load! Mind you trucks vary as do their suspension wear. My current daily driver had a few broken leafs, and i wanted to lower it a little, so to kill two birds with one stone, i removed the broken leafs, and also got a 4" drop. I learned all i know bout lowering this route by trial and error. If you find that you don't like the ride after removing a few leafs, you can always reinstall them, and go the flip kit route. __________________ If you can't rock the roads with your bumpers 1/2" off the ground, you're nowhere near low enough!

01-07-2004, 11:00 PM	#6
Slammed '87 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary Canada Posts: 556	well to be honest, with my latest truck, i just removed the broke/cracked leafs. They were different ones on both sides, but it worked out good as it lowered both sides approx 4". But ususally i would start with the smallest, or the bottom of the pack and work my way up. On my '87 one pack was way more bagged than the other, so i actually had one and a half more leafs on one side. How half? I just cut a longer leaf off both ends a little until i got a level stance. I made custom spring pack brackets to hold it in place. Not recommend, as i knew mine would be temporary, but it worked for 2 years with a nice ride and no problems! cheers __________________ If you can't rock the roads with your bumpers 1/2" off the ground, you're nowhere near low enough!

01-05-2004, 04:34 PM	#5
Keep on Trukin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 71	Slammed 87 which ones did u remove, do u go from top to bottome or start on the bottom?? I will do this and get some shorter shocks front and back.

01-08-2004, 04:36 PM	#7
Keep on Trukin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 71	Thanks, slammed '87, for the info.

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