86 Suburban lowering Question
 

Hi all,

I recently installed 2.5” drop spindles and 2” drop shackles on my 86. I was planning to use the original leaf springs as they were sagging from age and would’ve actually given me the right drop I was going for with the shackles (2.5/4). But when I went to install the shackles, every bolt was seized beyond belief and I had to cut the springs out. So, like a moron, I bought brand new stock height leafs instead of the 4” drop leafs. Don’t ask me why. Now I have so much money into the rear I really want to figure out a solution with the stock height leaf’s.

Axle flip is obvious, but I tow a lot and the diff hitting the floor is a concern. So I have a couple questions:

1. Can I do an axle flip and still be confident I could tow without bottoming out in the frame or the floor?
OR
2. Does someone make drop spring perches for the front eyelets so I can gain an extra two inches?
OR
3. I have to suck it up and spend another $800 on drop leaf’s?

Any help or ideas is welcomed and appreciated.

The pic below shows it loaded so you can imagine how much of a rake I have unloaded. I just want it to sit level.

Re: 86 Suburban lowering Question
 

Drop hangers are readily available for your year truck/Suburban. Note an axle flip usually nets 6"or more drop. For a dropped truck that is used for hauling on and off helper bags are a great option to go with either method you choose. Had them in the back of 94 with an 8" drop. Hauled all kinds of loads.

Re: 86 Suburban lowering Question
 

Flip kit drop amounts vary depending on the height/thickness of the spring pack. A truck w/a 4 vs. 6 vs. 8-leaf set-up will all yield different drop amounts. Axle housing OD impacts things as well (not by much but it does).

Options I would entertain would be the dropped front hangers or a flip kit w/a 'lift' shackle. Whether the flip-kit/lift shackle will work is dependent on where you wind up for the total drop amount prior.

The lift shackles under my '99OBS set-up were advertised as 1" but yielded more (1.5-2"). They do come in contact slightly w/the hanger on mine as there are witness marks from the shackles movement but I don't feel or notice anything from the drivers seat.

Re: 86 Suburban lowering Question
 

On my C10 I did shackle flip, and a axle flip. Which netted me a 1" drop from where I was before. My springs were sagged about 2" roughly due to age, and previous owner already added drop shackles.

To which I added air bags to keep load capacity. In a bag over axle style. I am also using 2015+ Silverado bump stops.

I.still have the ability to lower it nearly 2 inches more by using the extra holes in the shackle.

Re: 86 Suburban lowering Question
 

Here’s what I did on my 2wd Jimmy. I’m guessing it would work the same on a Suburban.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...uy+77+Suburban