Flip kit drop. would it be 5" or 6.5"

[74Pumpkin]

I am going to put in a flip kit on the 74 stepper. It has the heavy duty spring. currently the distance betweeen the top of the spring and the bottom of the axle is 6 1/2 inches. It has 8 leafs in the spring.
If I put in a flip kit would this drop the rear 6 1/2 inches? Or am I missing something. Also. Do I have to worry about the angle of the driveshaft into the tranny?
I plan on putting in 3" spindles. I might have to also put in 1-1 1/2 drop springs also if the rear drops that much.

[78SilveradoSWB]

I plan on doing the same thing, but I don't know about the 8 leaves part. I asked a local drop shop and they suggested that I get a regular 3/1 stock spring to lessen the harsh and bounce I would get with the HD 8 leaf spring.

[74Pumpkin]

Do you think I could take out a couple of leafs to lessen the harsh ride?.

[crazy longhorn]

You should be able to get a 4" rear drop, with a shackle/front hanger kit (try Bell tech). For a little additional drop, & better ride, you can toss a couple leafs from the stack. Good luck,crazyL

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by 74Pumpkin

Do you think I could take out a couple of leafs to lessen the harsh ride?.

Yes, but don't take out too many. You can pull the helper off, but I wouldn't go below 4 total (I haven't ever pulled more than 2). Not guarantees on the ride either. BTW, that is a 7 leaf setup, the last is the helper spring. A 3 leaf setup would be softer, but...
If you want to talk to someone that has done ALL of the ABOVE, Swerve has done it all.

You are measuring correctly also, it will be 6.5" or so depending on the flip supplier.

[Slammed67]

Here's how to measure when flipping an axle assuming you leave the same number of springs.

[swervin ervin]

Tell me about it. The more leafs you remove, the bouncier it get's. If you remove leafs from the 7/1 pack, every leaf you remove, will raise it back up the thickness of the leaf you remove.

The most I would recommend taking out would be 3 leafs and maybe the overload leaf, leaving you with 4. But as Chris said, no guarantee of ride quality though.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by Slammed67

Here's how to measure when flipping an axle assuming you leave the same number of springs.

BOP to BOP would be the about the same estimate, which is all you are really guaranteed. You will still have variables like how tall one manufactures flip is compared to another, and factoring in the axle moves back about ~1.25" so it could also be a little lower from that.

Originally Posted by swervin ervin

Tell me about it. The more leafs you remove, the bouncier it get's.

I remember our conversations on how much you just loved doing that...

[LONGHAIR]

Personally I would be a bit concerned about those springs. They are "swelled" by rust just outside of the u-bolts. This leads to breakage of the leaves themselves. You probably already have some broken/cracked.

[R 78 PROJECT]

I have a 78 2wd blazer does the flip/drop work the same way if so how much drop for me? is there special shocks to go along w/this procedure,do you have to buy a flip kit or can you do it safely with u bolts I'm new at this too me and my boys(10 & 12 yrs.old) are learning and if we save money we could buy drop spindles when you guys finish w/74pumpkin can you help us

[TIMSPEED]

74Pumpkin,
A friend of mine dropped his 75 C10 using factoy HD spring pack (like yours) flipped, along with a 3" DJM Spindle / 2" DJM Coil. It sits PERFECT. It rides pretty good too.

[74Pumpkin]

Originally Posted by TIMSPEED

74Pumpkin,
A friend of mine dropped his 75 C10 using factoy HD spring pack (like yours) flipped, along with a 3" DJM Spindle / 2" DJM Coil. It sits PERFECT. It rides pretty good too.

So what your saying if I put in 1 1/2 or 2' spring making it a 4 1/2 - 6 1/2 drop. If I go this low will I have to worry about clearance probs with anything? I have 15' rims. Long tube headders.

[78SilveradoSWB]

I think the only concern is using 15" rims and a 3" drop spindle. Most here had to grind a little off the A arm lip for clearance for the inside of front wheels. It may depend on the wheel offset too?

[Captkaos]

Same concept. All flips are approximately 5-6" of drop depending, so most people just say a flip is 6 inches. I suggest getting shock extenders for the rear along with the flip. That way you can use stock application shocks.

The flip kit is an actual saddle that the axle sits on, so you need that part. Most suppliers give you the extenders and the perches as a kit.

Here is what one typically looks like:

Originally Posted by R 78 PROJECT

I have a 78 2wd blazer does the flip/drop work the same way if so how much drop for me? is there special shocks to go along w/this procedure,do you have to buy a flip kit or can you do it safely with u bolts I'm new at this too me and my boys(10 & 12 yrs.old) are learning and if we save money we could buy drop spindles when you guys finish w/74pumpkin can you help us

[TIMSPEED]

Originally Posted by 74Pumpkin

So what your saying if I put in 1 1/2 or 2' spring making it a 4 1/2 - 6 1/2 drop. If I go this low will I have to worry about clearance probs with anything? I have 15' rims. Long tube headders.

My friend happens to have 17" Rims..but he does have hedman long tubes. But trust me, go 5" front drop.

[74Pumpkin]

Seems like most everyone on here talks about getting lower or wishing they went lower. So I guess I'll have to listen to everyone and go LOW now and save myself some work later.. So Now I have to come up with 2 inch springs also..