Where to buy lowering kit?

[muddpile]

Does anyone sell a complete lowering kit to lower a 72 C10 with rear leaf springs? I was looking on Early Classics website, but all their kits are for coil trucks. They sell drop leaf springs, but I am looking at doing a flip kit to save some cash. Basically, I will end up with a 4/6 drop, or so I hope. Here's my questions in case I have to buy my lowering kit in pieces.
1. Who sells flip kits, what is included and are they hard to install?
2. Where does my lower shock mount move to when I flip the diff?
3. Do I need to re-locate the upper shock mounts? If so, how and where?
4. Do I need a C-Notch?
5. What would be involved with the front? 2 1/2" spindles, 1 1/2" springs?
6. How hard are the front end pieces to install?
7. 8" wide (I think) 15" Rally Wheels with 255/60/15 tires fit without rubbing?
8. Will there be any grief with my one piece driveshaft?
9. How well does exhaust fit over the axel?

All this will be going on a rolling chassis, so that makes it a lot easier. There is NO box, NO cab, NO front fenders/hood/grille. It is just a rolling chassis with a drivetrain in it. The truck will be used for work a bit, so I still want full hauling ability. The stock leafs look beefier than the ECE 4" drop leafs, so they should haul more I would think. Any answers or photos regarding my drop problem would be great! Thanks!

[Tx Firefighter]

I'd use Early Classic's drop leaf and shackle combo to get the inch drop.

Belive it or not, having a bare chassis will make your job harder. You don't have much weight to compress the suspension.

[Bowtiefreak]

Early Classic IMO is the only place to go. Their kits are just plain quality. Give then a call and talk to them about what you want or need.

[gringoloco]

1) a)Belltech and others sell the flip kit. Try summitracing.com. You will have more luck searching for a kit for 73-87. Same axle tube diameter. Try the 73-87 parts board, you can find one once in a while for sale. Got mine for $40 shipped(Thanks Fletch).

b)Included parts look like this: (minus the leaves and mounting hangers of course.)



c) Just support the truck by the frame, place jack under rear pumpkin, remove u-bolts brake lines etc., remove the rear shackle thru bolts, place axle on top of springs, bolt it back together with supplied brackets.

2) Stays where it is.

3) Don't need to move them, but will help ride quality. Either move crossmember back, or fabricate one. gets the shocks back close to vertical. Use the proper length shocks.

4) No. You will definitely need to trim the bumpstops or install shorter ones though.

5) Exactly. Best way to go by far.

6) Not bad if you've done it before. Plan a FULL day if you haven't, maybe two. There are many posts on this or google spring/spindle replacement. Just be careful of the spring assembly. Lots of potential energy there waiting to jump out and bite you.

7) Many people run this exact combo= no issues. 3" spindles may give you some grief.

8) Should be less grief. You may get contact with the top of the center crossmember where the carrier bearing used to be. Then again you may not. A lot of people flip the crossmember putting the clearanced area at the top. Not a big deal but a pain with the body in place.

9) Much easier than with coils. No track bar to deal with. Go to a shop with a drive on lift so the suspension isn't drooping when they weld it up. Gives a much better idea of the amount of clearance.

I say go for it. You will at least learn something from the deal. Since your truck is already a bare frame, you don't have to worry about down time. Take your time and reap the benefits and satisfaction of doing it yourself.. -Chris

[muddpile]

I got my measuring tape out tonight, and a 6" rear drop looks pretty extreme once I get looking, especially if I want to do any amount of hauling. I've been looking at the drop leaf springs Early Classics sell, and they look like a quality product and they lower it 4", but they look kinda weak in terms of how much they can haul. Can anyone give me any more info on these?

[Bowtiefreak]

Originally Posted by muddpile

I got my measuring tape out tonight, and a 6" rear drop looks pretty extreme once I get looking, especially if I want to do any amount of hauling. I've been looking at the drop leaf springs Early Classics sell, and they look like a quality product and they lower it 4", but they look kinda weak in terms of how much they can haul. Can anyone give me any more info on these?

Give them a call and tell them what you want the truck to do and what your after for drop and look. Ask for Stan or Dave, they are really nice people and ask them load carrying capabilities of their springs. They will give it to you straight (not what you want to hear but what you need to hear about your truck)

Ron

[muddpile]

I'll be sure to give them a call! Thanks for the help. I was looking again tonight, and I can't wait to lower my truck.

[Tx Firefighter]

Dave isn't at Early Classic anymore. Stan or Terry are your go-to guys.

The thing about ECE, is they still maintain payload capacity so you can use your truck like a truck after lowering it.

[72MARIO]

8" wide (I think) 15" Rally Wheels with 255/60/15 tires fit without rubbing?

My 255 60's on 7" vans do clear with my 3.5 drop. Never have they rubbed
SEETEN has 275/60's on 8" and they rub slightly.

[muddpile]

I checked today, and I apparently screwed up my tire size in my post. I thought they were 255/60/15, but they are actually 255/70/15, on Rally wheels off an 80's suburban (I assume they are 8"). I am considering doing the 2 1/2" spindles in the front and drop leafs in the back to avoid any potential rubbing hazards. I'll have to see if I can locate pictures of such a drop on a longbox.

[Orange]

For the sake of not starting a new post on the subject, let me just resurrect this one...

So, muddpile, did you ever get it straightened out?
What did you find on the ECE springs? I have wondered as well. This is something I am considering for the future.

[muddpile]

I actually decided not to lower the truck, but I did find out the ECE rear leafs take a bit of weight, so you could still haul.