Flip or shackle the rear down?!

[Malicious]

Hi,

Looking at lowering my 74 long bed, but not sure of how to do the rear. Thinking djm 3” spindles in the front, then spring to suit.

In the rear I was going to flip kit it, but I’m concerned I won’t have enough clearance without notching. I don’t want to notch, and I want to use the tub. Nothing crazy but occasional house Reno hauls.

I have about 5 3/4” from the top of the spring to the bottom of the chassis rail. Axle tub is about 3”, so I’m guessing I’ll have about 2.5” clearance to the rail.

What amount of clearance pre flip will allow me to not notch?

Or am I better off just using the drop shakle hanger kit and dealing with it sitting heigher in the rear?

Cheers!

[blazer2007]

Mine is not notched and is a 80 swb ,get the odd bottoming out on a big pot hole

[Palf70Step]

How often will you haul something in the truck? The flip is a much better way than shackle method if you want 5/6inch or so drop. If the truck is empty most of thetime you should not have many issues without doing a c-notch.

[skyphix]

Drove my truck from South Carolina, USA to central Maine, USA (1600 miles) with a flip kit and no c-notch, with about 150lbs in the bed and super worn out rear leafs.

Other than some terrible roads in one state (3-5" pot holes/cracks/lips in the middle of an interstate while going 80ish mph to keep up with traffic,) I didn't really run into an issue with the axle hitting the frame - I'll probably put an add-a-leaf to adjust the height and stiffen up the rear a bit but its more for appearance than function.

[Malicious]

I'm probably not going to be hauling a lot of cargo, mostly short trips with things like engines, rail way sleepers (the wooden logs), etc. However there might be the occasional long trip with a tray full of car parts for a swap meet. or maybe pulling a car on a trailer.

I'm just concerned that 2.5" estimated clearance will not be enough.

what clearance are you guys running without a C-notch?

You have a fair point about adding leaves, helpers or searching the springs tho if it is too low...

[74CustomK20]

Could always do softer springs and helper bags for load capacity

[blazer2007]

I hauled some fairly heavy stuff 400 miles with little bottoming out,mostly when the road dips here and there, you just have to get the weight off the rearend, put the heavy stuff right up to the cab.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Malicious

Hi,

Looking at lowering my 74 long bed, but not sure of how to do the rear. Thinking djm 3” spindles in the front, then spring to suit.

In the rear I was going to flip kit it, but I’m concerned I won’t have enough clearance without notching. I don’t want to notch, and I want to use the tub. Nothing crazy but occasional house Reno hauls.

I have about 5 3/4” from the top of the spring to the bottom of the chassis rail. Axle tub is about 3”, so I’m guessing I’ll have about 2.5” clearance to the rail.

What amount of clearance pre flip will allow me to not notch?

Or am I better off just using the drop shakle hanger kit and dealing with it sitting heigher in the rear?

Cheers!

Are your dimensions to the frame rail or bump stop? The bump stop is usually what makes contact first but you didn't mention what your plan is for it.

[Malicious]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Are your dimensions to the frame rail or bump stop? The bump stop is usually what makes contact first but you didn't mention what your plan is for it.

That measurement is from the bottom face of the frame rail. I was planning to cut the factory bump stop out and use either a flat bump stop or a weld in that in board and off of the side of the frame rail. Likely a flat stay bag on the bottom of the rail. Which is why I was estimating about 2.5" of clearance. Giving my self about 1/4"-1/3" for a bump stop.

Helper bags of load springs might be the way if its an issue... hmmm.

[SCOTI]

I set-up my stuff for 3" of compression travel. 2.5" will prob be fine for 90% of the time but that's w/o a load. What's the clearance going to be when loaded? That's where a small notch might be beneficial.

[808_67C10]

I have a flip kit, no notches... there is lots of room as long at you take out the gigantic bump stops. I have never bottomed out and carried loads of 2-300lbs.

There is more than 2.5 inches clearance, I have almost 4" with the original 2wd springs (unloaded).