How much drop?

[kevmar96]

I was planning on doing a rear flip kit on my 72 and was looking at the DJM flip kits and was just wondering how much drop I can expect. I know it will be the thickness of the axle but I wasn't for sure if the new mounting hardware added any more to it. If you have any before and after pics that would be helpful. Thanks.
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[lolife99]

5"-6" drop.
Look at this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=463339

[sKnNyPpY]

I'm installing the DJM flip kit hopefully tonight. I have CCP spindles up front with 1" drop springs (factory 5 lug disc, 2.25 leaf and drum out back). I'll post pics as soon as it is done. The 5" drop it is supposed to do should get me closer to level 3.5/5.

[kevmar96]

Sounds like u are doing the same thing I plan on? Are you going to notch the frame also. I'm running 18" rims. What are you running? Really looking forward to seeing your pics.
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[sKnNyPpY]

What a pain in the ass. Took way longer than I thought and now my ass is in the dirt with no spring, bottoms out on every manhole cover. All the rusted bolts took a impact to break loose and after bolting everything back together the pinion angle was way off. Now either I de-sprung my springs, have too short a shock (factory front Monroe size), or put my shocks on upside down (skinny part goes down, right?) Also not sure if the shackles are already drop or stock. I need some spring/ height back...or a c-notch and larger than 1" drop springs on the spindles up front.

[sKnNyPpY]

btw I'm on 20x8.5 with 45 series rubber. Doesn't appear to be any rubbing problems. Here're before pics:

[lolife99]

You have drop shackles.
Replace those with stock and it will raise up approx. 2".
You really need a c-notch.
Also, looks like some leaves may be missing from your leaf spring pack.

[lolife99]

Got any good pics of your rear shock angles?
They really need to be stood up more vertical, to work correctly.
(maybe add some 73-87 shock extenders to the rearend's shock mounts?)

[sKnNyPpY]

thanks lolife...I knew you could help. The PO didn't do any of the work to the truck himself, so I can't ask anybody about it and am learning about it as I go.

[kevmar96]

Thanks for the pics. I agree it looks like some leafs are missing. Mine are much thicker. Don't they sell shock relocate kits? Also definitely gonna need a notch.
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[lolife99]

I don't know of a shock relocator kit for the narrower 67-72 leaf spring trucks.

[sKnNyPpY]

Yeah, the shocks are laid down. Approximately 45 degrees and I know they shouldn't be more than 30 degrees according to Monroe. I've seen relocation brackets for other year trucks and leaf spring trucks. I found these for lower extenders for 73 up: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ws.../1973/make/gmc

And the uppers brackets from this look like they would work if I could just get the uppers: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444925

My pinion angle is also horrible, hopefully when I get it back up a couple of inches it will level out. I'm planning on removing the 2" shackles, replacing them with stock (if I can find any), then working on the shock relocation. Not too concerned about possible missing leafs. My buddies 71 is the same and they work, but I guess I'm running a little lower with those out too.







And yeah, I know the bump stops are in the wrong spot.

Got her on jack stands to take pressure off of the shocks, it was just laid flat in my non-level driveway. Man, I miss that rake now!

[sKnNyPpY]

Well the "stock" shackles I ordered are the same as the current ones, so unless I modify/shorten these that won't help. I drilled out the top shock mount bracket and used the studs that came with the Monroe Sensa-Tracs to bring the shocks more upright but I need nuts that will thread all the way down (the nuts that came with the shocks don't thread all the way through). I will update, but it looks like I will absolutely need to notch.

[N2TRUX]

Something is odd here. Normally I would think the springs have sagged, but your before pics don't indicate that to be an issue.

Does your front spring hanger still have rivets holding it to the frame? You mention bad pinion angle and it makes me wonder if the PO might have raised the spring hanger. Post a pick of it if your not sure.

[sKnNyPpY]

Front hanger looks stock riveted. Both my spring packs fell apart when I removed them, could that have de-arched them?

[sKnNyPpY]

Relocated the shocks and I seem to have gained some clearance and straightened the pinion a little. I reiinstalled the factory bump stops and they are sitting on them but the wheels are no longer tucked into the wheel wells, they are about even with them. I will test drive tomorrow and probably trim the bump stops. If I can drive to my buddies shop I will work on loosening the u bolts and try to straighten the pinion angle better and tighten everything back up and figure out when to notch. Thanks for y'alls input, I'll get through this eventually, then I'll have to do a (slack-asses) how-to!

[sKnNyPpY]

After a test ride with the relocated shock mounts and the frame practically laying on the factory bump stops, I felt better about the larger than expected drop. I trimmed the bump stops 1" and the tops of the wheels are about even with the wheel wells with about 2" of shock travel. I even took the wife out on a date and she didn't complain about the ride, but did joke about the bounciness. I still need to work on the pinion angle a bit, and a notch will definitely help with the larger bumps, but I'm becoming much more comfortable working on her. pics to come

[sKnNyPpY]

Rear resting on bump stops:


Pinion angle still jacked:

[Slow Build]

I had this type of a problem when I lowered my 89 from 4" (shackles and hangers) to 6" drop (flip kit). I put back the original hangers and shackles when I did the job. Well it dropped the rear more like 9" for some reason. I just installed some Add-a Leaf springs on it and it brought it back up 2.5" which worked out perfect.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/p.../gmc/year/1972

[sKnNyPpY]

New 5/1 leaf packs on the way from General Spring KC. $350 shipped with new bushings already pressed in to go with the new stock shackles with bushings and new bolts. About the only thing I can figure besides droopy 3/1 springs is that the two forward bolts on the upper plates of the flip kit are supposed to be 3.5" and the rear 4". I'm not sure if I even knew there were two different ones when I put them in. So much for reading the directions. Will update, thanks again for the help (and sorry for hijacking the thread, I figure this info can be useful in the future)