Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Scott76 · 11-21-2016, 12:18 PM

I was running a 4/6 drop with McGauhys 2 inch drop spindles and springs up front, and a flip kit in the rear on my 79 C10. It looked cool as heck, but my front wheels rubbed everywhere and my header collectors scraped getting out of my driveway. I ended up swapping the front springs for some Belltech 1" drop springs, and it fixed all my issues except that it looks wonky now. It almost looks like the truck has a reverse rake. Seems like the McGauhy springs were much more than a 2" drop. I have a big block, not sure if that's a contributing factor, but the front of the truck probably sits 2-3" higher than it did with the McGauhys springs.

So as I see it, I have these options:

Install Belltech 2" drop springs up front and see if they're actually not as low as the McGauhys 2" drop springs. If they are, Get some 3/4 length headers and fab up a new exhaust system that's tucked up high. This is probably the best long term solution.

Leave the front of the truck alone and raise the rear of the truck up an inch or so. How can I go about doing this?

**MikeB** · 11-21-2016, 12:31 PM

Air shocks? Or back to un-flipped rear, and use shackle/hanger kit for 4" drop?

But if the front is now too high, maybe the solution is another pair of springs. If the info is available, you'll need to know the installed height at xxx# load, as well as spring rate for your current springs in order to determine what you need.

Funny how one mod affects another mod affects another mod.

Tom · 11-21-2016, 08:55 PM

McCrappys springs are well known to lower more then they advertise. I'd get some good 2" springs and start from there. Otherwise you'll need some shackles or hangers to raise the rear. FYI I've always thought "leveled" trucks [2" lower in rear then front] looked wierd and reverse raked.

Jay2Cor517 · 11-21-2016, 11:00 PM

I had the exact same issue using a complete BellTech 4/6 Kit. I ended up attacking it on two fronts: 1) I bought 1" lower springs for the front and 2) I use two different size tires. The front tires are 245-40-20s and the rear tires are 275-45-20s. The tires are 2" in height difference. Go to the website tiresize.com and use the comparison function https://tiresize.com/comparison/
I hope this helps.

Gmc.guy · 11-21-2016, 11:29 PM

Same here. Levelled out does look funny sometimes. It doesn't help the rear wheel openings are smaller than the front too

Scott76 · 11-22-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

McCrappys springs are well known to lower more then they advertise.

Ahh. Makes sense, glad I'm not imagining things. I think I'll grab some Belltech 2" springs and see where I'm at.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gmc.guy

Same here. Levelled out does look funny sometimes. It doesn't help the rear wheel openings are smaller than the front too

No, it certainly doesn't. The difference in amount of the top of the tire that is visible makes it really stick out.

Speeding Dakota · 11-23-2016, 07:49 PM

Instead of buying aftermarket front coils use factory GM big block coils and cut only 1 full coil off. It will lower the front but will maintain the spring rate that is required.
That's what I did on my setup (2.5" CPP spindles & 1 coil cut - flipped rear) plus running 255/45/18 front & 275/40/18 rear.

Scott76 · 11-23-2016, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speeding Dakota

Instead of buying aftermarket front coils use factory GM big block coils and cut only 1 full coil off. It will lower the front but will maintain the spring rate that is required.
That's what I did on my setup (2.5" CPP spindles & 1 coil cut - flipped rear) plus running 255/45/18 front & 275/40/18 rear.

Dumb question but where can I buy those springs? Rock Auto?
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ElGracho · 11-23-2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott76

Dumb question but where can I buy those springs? Rock Auto?
Posted via Mobile Device

Moog 6454 wherever you want to get them. SUMMIT had them mis priced for a while. They are about 80 a pair now.

Scott76 · 11-23-2016, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElGracho

Moog 6454 wherever you want to get them. SUMMIT had them mis priced for a while. They are about 80 a pair now.

Cool. I didn't know if we were talking about an actual OEM piece or what.
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UKNOWME · 11-24-2016, 11:21 AM

Do you have any pictures of how it sits now?

Scott76 · 11-24-2016, 11:29 AM

rich weyand · 11-24-2016, 02:12 PM

You look dead level to me. It doesn't seem like it because the fender openings aren't the same on these trucks, and lowering it emphasizes the difference.

When I raised mine, I raised it 2" in front and 3" in the rear to even out the fender openings. So the body line is actually downhill by an inch. I like the look.

Scott76 · 11-24-2016, 02:14 PM

Yeah if I put a level on the bed side it's actually almost perfectly level. The problem is the appearance because of the wheel wells, like you said.

rich weyand · 11-24-2016, 02:17 PM

You can 1" block the rear to get the look you want, I think.

Nick_R_23 · 11-24-2016, 03:35 PM

I think more than anything you need a bigger tire to fill up that wheel well more. It would additionally gain you that extra inch to raise the rear up more.

evan · 11-24-2016, 03:46 PM

Cool truck but with the current setup it does look like you've got some weight in the back. Ideally, drop the front an inch and rebuild the exhaust so you don't drag it.

What are the wheel and tire specs? They don't look like they should be rubbing but wheel backspacing and tire width/height are a major factor there.

UKNOWME · 11-24-2016, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich weyand

You can 1" block the rear to get the look you want, I think.

A block will lower it more since he's flipped his axle

Scott76 · 11-24-2016, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evan

Cool truck but with the current setup it does look like you've got some weight in the back. Ideally, drop the front an inch and rebuild the exhaust so you don't drag it.

What are the wheel and tire specs? They don't look like they should be rubbing but wheel backspacing and tire width/height are a major factor there.

They're 285/45/18 at all four corners. When I originally was planning the build out I was into autocross pretty heavy and was going that route. I would not do it the same way if I had to do it again. Would go bigs and littles, drag race style now.
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evan · 11-24-2016, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott76

They're 285/45/18 at all four corners. When I originally was planning the build out I was into autocross pretty heavy and was going that route. I would not do it the same way if I had to do it again. Would go bigs and littles, drag race style now.
Posted via Mobile Device

Yeah, that's a pretty wide tire for the front. It wouldn't be too expensive to get 2 narrower 15" tires. I'd do that, adjust the exhaust and then lower the front until you're happy.

Scott76 · 11-25-2016, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evan

Yeah, that's a pretty wide tire for the front. It wouldn't be too expensive to get 2 narrower 15" tires. I'd do that, adjust the exhaust and then lower the front until you're happy.

I think a 15/18 stagger would look really weird. I will just go with a narrower front tire on the same wheel when the time comes to replace them.

evan · 11-25-2016, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott76

I think a 15/18 stagger would look really weird. I will just go with a narrower front tire on the same wheel when the time comes to replace them.

Oops. I was thinking they were 15" for some reason. Yeah, good plan. Do some burnouts and swap the fronts to the back and put narrower tires on the front.

Scott76 · 11-25-2016, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evan

Oops. I was thinking they were 15" for some reason. Yeah, good plan. Do some burnouts and swap the fronts to the back and put narrower tires on the front.

Now that's thinkin!

HunterRotten · 11-26-2016, 10:51 AM

I made the mistake of buying a mcgaughys kit too and I've scraped up the underside of my new tubular arms on the driveway. My dad and I have been talking and we though upgrading to some heavy half springs would lift the back end just enough, and then raise the front with some belltech 1" drop coils. Any idea how that would sit?

LT7A · 11-27-2016, 03:25 PM

Scott76, you raise a good question. I have been thinking about this on my truck but its a long bed. Might be the same for both tho. How about removing the overload spring in the rear? The thick one at the bottom of the spring pack. Would raise the back about 3/4 inch. Being a short bed you could probably remove a second leaf to get you an inch plus. Or cut half a coil off the front. Only expense then is time and maybe u bolts. Like the truck, BTW. And I'm actually a fan of having the same size tires all the way around on these trucks. How's the clearance with your 285s at the front's current elevation?

11-21-2016, 12:18 PM	#1
Scott76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 71	Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. I was running a 4/6 drop with McGauhys 2 inch drop spindles and springs up front, and a flip kit in the rear on my 79 C10. It looked cool as heck, but my front wheels rubbed everywhere and my header collectors scraped getting out of my driveway. I ended up swapping the front springs for some Belltech 1" drop springs, and it fixed all my issues except that it looks wonky now. It almost looks like the truck has a reverse rake. Seems like the McGauhy springs were much more than a 2" drop. I have a big block, not sure if that's a contributing factor, but the front of the truck probably sits 2-3" higher than it did with the McGauhys springs. So as I see it, I have these options: Install Belltech 2" drop springs up front and see if they're actually not as low as the McGauhys 2" drop springs. If they are, Get some 3/4 length headers and fab up a new exhaust system that's tucked up high. This is probably the best long term solution. Leave the front of the truck alone and raise the rear of the truck up an inch or so. How can I go about doing this?

11-21-2016, 12:31 PM	#2
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,423	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. Air shocks? Or back to un-flipped rear, and use shackle/hanger kit for 4" drop? But if the front is now too high, maybe the solution is another pair of springs. If the info is available, you'll need to know the installed height at xxx# load, as well as spring rate for your current springs in order to determine what you need. Funny how one mod affects another mod affects another mod. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 23 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

11-21-2016, 08:55 PM	#3
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,692	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. McCrappys springs are well known to lower more then they advertise. I'd get some good 2" springs and start from there. Otherwise you'll need some shackles or hangers to raise the rear. FYI I've always thought "leveled" trucks [2" lower in rear then front] looked wierd and reverse raked. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

11-21-2016, 11:00 PM	#4
Jay2Cor517 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 75	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. I had the exact same issue using a complete BellTech 4/6 Kit. I ended up attacking it on two fronts: 1) I bought 1" lower springs for the front and 2) I use two different size tires. The front tires are 245-40-20s and the rear tires are 275-45-20s. The tires are 2" in height difference. Go to the website tiresize.com and use the comparison function https://tiresize.com/comparison/ I hope this helps. __________________ Everything that can be counted does not necessarily counts; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted--Albert Einstein

11-21-2016, 11:29 PM	#5
Gmc.guy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 464	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. Same here. Levelled out does look funny sometimes. It doesn't help the rear wheel openings are smaller than the front too __________________ -Cody

11-23-2016, 07:49 PM	#7
Speeding Dakota Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Shrewsbury, PA Posts: 325	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. Instead of buying aftermarket front coils use factory GM big block coils and cut only 1 full coil off. It will lower the front but will maintain the spring rate that is required. That's what I did on my setup (2.5" CPP spindles & 1 coil cut - flipped rear) plus running 255/45/18 front & 275/40/18 rear.

11-24-2016, 11:21 AM	#11
UKNOWME Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 2,705	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. Do you have any pictures of how it sits now? __________________ 2018 Audi S5- wife's ride 1980 Chevy Scottsdale http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543511 1981 Chevy Silverado- in pieces 1964 Chevy c10 2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU

11-24-2016, 11:29 AM	#12
Scott76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 71	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up.

11-24-2016, 02:12 PM	#13
rich weyand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bloomington Indiana Posts: 1,041	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. You look dead level to me. It doesn't seem like it because the fender openings aren't the same on these trucks, and lowering it emphasizes the difference. When I raised mine, I raised it 2" in front and 3" in the rear to even out the fender openings. So the body line is actually downhill by an inch. I like the look. __________________ Rich Weyand 1978 K10 RCSB DD.

11-24-2016, 02:14 PM	#14
Scott76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 71	Yeah if I put a level on the bed side it's actually almost perfectly level. The problem is the appearance because of the wheel wells, like you said.

11-24-2016, 02:17 PM	#15
rich weyand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bloomington Indiana Posts: 1,041	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. You can 1" block the rear to get the look you want, I think. __________________ Rich Weyand 1978 K10 RCSB DD.

11-24-2016, 03:35 PM	#16
Nick_R_23 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Willow, Alaska Posts: 836	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. I think more than anything you need a bigger tire to fill up that wheel well more. It would additionally gain you that extra inch to raise the rear up more.

11-24-2016, 03:46 PM	#17
evan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 488	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. Cool truck but with the current setup it does look like you've got some weight in the back. Ideally, drop the front an inch and rebuild the exhaust so you don't drag it. What are the wheel and tire specs? They don't look like they should be rubbing but wheel backspacing and tire width/height are a major factor there. __________________ Evan B.

11-26-2016, 10:51 AM	#24
HunterRotten Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Kentucky Posts: 385	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. I made the mistake of buying a mcgaughys kit too and I've scraped up the underside of my new tubular arms on the driveway. My dad and I have been talking and we though upgrading to some heavy half springs would lift the back end just enough, and then raise the front with some belltech 1" drop coils. Any idea how that would sit? __________________ 1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD

11-27-2016, 03:25 PM	#25
LT7A Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: PNW Posts: 3,511	Re: Raise the rear an inch or so after a flip kit? Rake looks messed up. Scott76, you raise a good question. I have been thinking about this on my truck but its a long bed. Might be the same for both tho. How about removing the overload spring in the rear? The thick one at the bottom of the spring pack. Would raise the back about 3/4 inch. Being a short bed you could probably remove a second leaf to get you an inch plus. Or cut half a coil off the front. Only expense then is time and maybe u bolts. Like the truck, BTW. And I'm actually a fan of having the same size tires all the way around on these trucks. How's the clearance with your 285s at the front's current elevation?



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