lowering the back by heating - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

short chevy · 04-30-2005, 08:04 PM

Got some 3 inch drop spindles for the front. but realy dint want to spend the money for the flipkit on the back of my 81. Thought about heating the top of leaf spring a little. up by the rear shackle. im not going to haul nothing heavy. maybe later on put some air shocks. anybody ever do this, if so what was the out come or do you a cheper way out

75stepside · 04-30-2005, 08:13 PM

i think it would be easier to just remove some of the leaves...

???

short chevy · 04-30-2005, 08:16 PM

no its a easer to heat

75stepside · 04-30-2005, 08:24 PM

good luck.

mudgutsandglory · 04-30-2005, 09:04 PM

you dont have to buy a flip kit, you can do it yourself, thats how im gonna do mine. im just gonna by new perches and u bolts, and do it myself. you just wanna make sure and get the perches lined up with the old ones, and keep the pinion angle reasonable. i actually use the ubolts to hold it all together while i weld it up.
later
Dan

boxrodz · 04-30-2005, 09:12 PM

I've only seen pics of someone who heated the rear portion of the leaf spring to accomplish a lower drop. The deformed spring did lower the truck, but it was very compromised. Safety factors aside, the springs were ruined. For under $100, you should be able to do a flip kit to match your front drop.

Slonaker · 05-01-2005, 12:47 AM

I saw a truck done that way locally. The ride appeared to be quite choppy and bouncy. What is a flip kit from Summit, $90? I'd say it is worth it.

Slonaker

*1FaastC10* · 05-01-2005, 03:55 AM

there's no nice way to put this.

stop being cheap before you kill someone. heating a spring is not only dangerous to yourself, but whoever happens to be with you, or anywhere near you when it fails. no question that it will fail.

75stepside · 05-01-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1FaastC10

there's no nice way to put this.

stop being cheap before you kill someone. heating a spring is not only dangerous to yourself, but whoever happens to be with you, or anywhere near you when it fails. no question that it will fail.

short chevy · 05-01-2005, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the input everbody. Yall have talked me out of it.Its not that Im cheap. Its hard to to give 90 dollars for what looks like some 30 dollar brackets. Im going to build my own brackets. I found some thick channel in the garage last nite. Ill let yall know how it turns out.

jermasaurus · 05-01-2005, 11:11 AM

Just remember that when you move the axle up that high, you will have to move it back a little on the leaf springs to compensate, or shorten the driveshaft. I agree that the parts you get do not look like they are worth the $90. If I knew that I could buy spring perches I would have.
When I did mine, I used the DJM kit and the axle was WAY to close to the bump stops. So I put air shocks on it, which raised it about an inch, and the ride quality is ten times better.

*1FaastC10* · 05-01-2005, 02:29 PM

c notch would've been the way to go, or shorter bumpstops. ditch the air shocks, and i bet the ride improves 10 fold again.

SCOTI · 05-01-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1FaastC10

c notch would've been the way to go, or shorter bumpstops. ditch the air shocks, and i bet the ride improves 10 fold again.

I agree.

boxrodz · 05-01-2005, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by short chevy

Thanks for the input everbody. Yall have talked me out of it.

Good move.

Good luck in your fabbing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jermasaurus

Just remember that when you move the axle up that high, you will have to move it back a little on the leaf springs to compensate, or shorten the driveshaft. I agree that the parts you get do not look like they are worth the $90. If I knew that I could buy spring perches I would have.
When I did mine, I used the DJM kit and the axle was WAY to close to the bump stops. So I put air shocks on it, which raised it about an inch, and the ride quality is ten times better.

Jsaurus, did you remove the stock bumpstop (rubber bumpstop and the riveted bracket)? If so, you should have about 3" travel between the axle and the frame (less the thickness of the snubber).

8t5Silverado · 05-02-2005, 12:32 PM

http://www.macsspring.com/website/we...pkitsframe.htm

$82.14 for a flip kit. Free shipping for orders over $100.

Slonaker · 05-02-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by short chevy

Its not that Im cheap.

I am. I'm a cheap b@st@rd.

Slonaker

jermasaurus · 05-02-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxrodz

Jsaurus, did you remove the stock bumpstop (rubber bumpstop and the riveted bracket)? If so, you should have about 3" travel between the axle and the frame (less the thickness of the snubber).

At the time I was finishing up, it was very late and the only tools of destruction I had were an air chisle, propane torch, and drill...the ordinary tools. So- no I did not remove the bump stop brackets or the rubber pieces.
I agree 100% that It would be a better alternative than the air shocks and I do plan to do a c-notch and go lower. But, you know how it is when you just want to be done and it's late...I just figured that I will notch it and the brackets will come out all at once

*1FaastC10* · 05-03-2005, 06:39 PM

ironicly, you had exactly the tools you need to remove it.

78' Silverado · 05-03-2005, 06:47 PM

Id just buy a kit man. I got mine from Sport Truck Direct. Didnt take me long at all! Spend the money and get it done fast. No worries on if your fabs were wrong...or if yu got the right angle...and if u fab wrong you wont have to fab again. Its just more easy imo. Go for the kit....theres my 2 cents.

jermasaurus · 05-03-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1FaastC10

ironicly, you had exactly the tools you need to remove it.

Ha, thats what you would think, all three batteries for my drill suck, the air chisle is from the 50's or somthing, and by "getting late" I mean everyone was going to sleep. You can just come over and notch it for me

pissonNOS · 05-03-2005, 10:30 PM

what i dont understand is they say heating is not good for ur springs? why is it ok to powder coat your leafsprings then?

*1FaastC10* · 05-04-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pissonNOS

what i dont understand is they say heating is not good for ur springs? why is it ok to powder coat your leafsprings then?

heating the springs takes the temper out of the steel, and makes them brittle. they will break where you heat them. powdercoating doesnt get nearly as hot as a torch does.

**N2TRUX** · 05-04-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pissonNOS

what i dont understand is they say heating is not good for ur springs? why is it ok to powder coat your leafsprings then?

There is a HUGE difference in the temperture that it takes to powder coat a spring and heat a spring to the point that it will bend. If you heat a spring that much it will loose it's tempering. That means it is no longer "spring" steel and is now just steel. Guess what happens when you repeatedly bend steel back and forth? It breaks! I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing....

**N2TRUX** · 05-04-2005, 12:22 AM

Dang Jeremy, brilliant minds do think alike. Look at our post times....

*1FaastC10* · 05-04-2005, 12:37 AM

haha... i guess you're right Ken, great minds to think alike.

04-30-2005, 08:04 PM	#1
short chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 20	lowering the back by heating Got some 3 inch drop spindles for the front. but realy dint want to spend the money for the flipkit on the back of my 81. Thought about heating the top of leaf spring a little. up by the rear shackle. im not going to haul nothing heavy. maybe later on put some air shocks. anybody ever do this, if so what was the out come or do you a cheper way out

04-30-2005, 08:16 PM	#3
short chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 20	no its a easer to heat Last edited by short chevy; 04-30-2005 at 08:19 PM.

04-30-2005, 09:04 PM	#5
mudgutsandglory Certified Truck Nut Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Elizabeth, WV Posts: 187	you dont have to buy a flip kit, you can do it yourself, thats how im gonna do mine. im just gonna by new perches and u bolts, and do it myself. you just wanna make sure and get the perches lined up with the old ones, and keep the pinion angle reasonable. i actually use the ubolts to hold it all together while i weld it up. later Dan __________________ 1982 GMC Sierra Classic 1500 Longbed 350, TH350, 3.73 10 bolt soon to be slammed

04-30-2005, 09:12 PM	#6
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	I've only seen pics of someone who heated the rear portion of the leaf spring to accomplish a lower drop. The deformed spring did lower the truck, but it was very compromised. Safety factors aside, the springs were ruined. For under $100, you should be able to do a flip kit to match your front drop. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin... Last edited by boxrodz; 05-01-2005 at 01:45 AM.

05-01-2005, 12:47 AM	#7
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	I saw a truck done that way locally. The ride appeared to be quite choppy and bouncy. What is a flip kit from Summit, $90? I'd say it is worth it. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

04-30-2005, 08:13 PM	#2
75stepside Proud Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 741	i think it would be easier to just remove some of the leaves... ???

04-30-2005, 08:24 PM	#4
75stepside Proud Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 741	good luck.

05-01-2005, 03:55 AM	#8
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	there's no nice way to put this. stop being cheap before you kill someone. heating a spring is not only dangerous to yourself, but whoever happens to be with you, or anywhere near you when it fails. no question that it will fail. Last edited by 1FaastC10; 05-01-2005 at 03:56 AM.

05-01-2005, 10:40 AM	#10
short chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 20	Thanks for the input everbody. Yall have talked me out of it.Its not that Im cheap. Its hard to to give 90 dollars for what looks like some 30 dollar brackets. Im going to build my own brackets. I found some thick channel in the garage last nite. Ill let yall know how it turns out.

05-01-2005, 11:11 AM	#11
jermasaurus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Lenox, IL Posts: 442	Just remember that when you move the axle up that high, you will have to move it back a little on the leaf springs to compensate, or shorten the driveshaft. I agree that the parts you get do not look like they are worth the $90. If I knew that I could buy spring perches I would have. When I did mine, I used the DJM kit and the axle was WAY to close to the bump stops. So I put air shocks on it, which raised it about an inch, and the ride quality is ten times better. Last edited by jermasaurus; 05-01-2005 at 11:12 AM. Reason: Font Problem

05-01-2005, 02:29 PM	#12
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	c notch would've been the way to go, or shorter bumpstops. ditch the air shocks, and i bet the ride improves 10 fold again.

05-02-2005, 12:32 PM	#15
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	http://www.macsspring.com/website/we...pkitsframe.htm $82.14 for a flip kit. Free shipping for orders over $100. __________________ Always on the lookout for old cars and parts...(20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.) http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/500339

05-03-2005, 06:39 PM	#18
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	ironicly, you had exactly the tools you need to remove it.

05-03-2005, 06:47 PM	#19
78' Silverado \/ My Loves \/ Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midland,Texas Posts: 462	Id just buy a kit man. I got mine from Sport Truck Direct. Didnt take me long at all! Spend the money and get it done fast. No worries on if your fabs were wrong...or if yu got the right angle...and if u fab wrong you wont have to fab again. Its just more easy imo. Go for the kit....theres my 2 cents. __________________ 78' Silverado - Blue - (In a Coma) 04' Silverado -Red- 383 Stroker in progress for the 78'!!!

05-03-2005, 10:30 PM	#21
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	what i dont understand is they say heating is not good for ur springs? why is it ok to powder coat your leafsprings then? __________________ 69 GMC bagged



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05-04-2005, 12:22 AM	#24
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Dang Jeremy, brilliant minds do think alike. Look at our post times....

05-04-2005, 12:37 AM	#25
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	haha... i guess you're right Ken, great minds to think alike.

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