Lowering a 79 2wd Blazer - ?

[68Timber]

I finally found a set of correct new rear leaf springs at a decent price. Once they're on I can put my wheel/tire combo on, lower it, and put new coil springs on front to level it out.

I'd originally guessed a 2/2 drop would put it where I want, based on how it sits now with sagging springs. The plan is to use 2" rear drop shackles. Will they bolt up to the Blazer without any cutting or other clearancing?

[78ChevySilverado]

I dropped my 78 blazer a few weeks ago with drop shackles. There is a clearance problem with the filler neck on the passenger side when you put the shackle on. I could only use the 1" drop hole on the shackle after using a sawzall to cut off the 2" drop hole to clear the filler neck.

[68Timber]

Ouch. I hope 1" is enough. I don't want to do any cutting on the truck. Thanks for the feedback.

What brand rear shackle did you use? I'd planned on using Summit's 2" rear shackle and 2" drop front springs. If their rear shackle has holes for a 1" drop they don't mention it.

Thanks again.

[Boog]

John, what leaf pack count does it have on it? I mean how many leaves make up the rear springs? You may be able to remove 1 leaf to gain that extra drop without severely softening the ride.
OR
Do a little shopping and you just might find some "lowered" replacement leaf springs in 2 or 3" or dropped spring hangers?

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by Boog

John, what leaf pack count does it have on it? I mean how many leaves make up the rear springs? You may be able to remove 1 leaf to gain that extra drop without severely softening the ride.
OR
Do a little shopping and you just might find some "lowered" replacement leaf springs in 2 or 3" or dropped spring hangers?

Jim, I wish you'd been in on my search for replacement rear springs. All the data is at work. I looked on all the websites I know of that make lowering kits - granted, that was only two or three since I've always lifted my trucks - but Google helped me find more. Rear leaf springs (OEM) for 73-87's are rare but pricey. I shopped around until I found a good deal. But I couldn't find any rear leaf springs for *lowering* the truck.

But that works out to my advantage. I'll get to mount the wheels/tires of my choice under new rear leaf springs. Then I'll know exactly how low I want to go to get it down where I want.

[streetstar]

A flip kit will lower the rear about 4-5" and put it roughly level with the front end if the front has a 2 or 3" drop, as most 2wd's have a little bit of rake.


but if you dont want to go quite that ow, i guess the shackles will work

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by streetstar

A flip kit will lower the rear about 4-5" and put it roughly level with the front end if the front has a 2 or 3" drop, as most 2wd's have a little bit of rake.


but if you dont want to go quite that low, i guess the shackles will work

Here it is, the only pic I have now.



Seems to sit level. That's stock over 28" tires, which I plan to run, but wider. I just want to sit it down with something like a 1" gap over the rears. Thus the 2/2 plan.

[Boog]

I don't know John. I think a 3" rear and 4" front will put it just about right. Have you found any lowered leaf spring hangers? Not shackles but the hangers. Also there's the possibility of taking your new springs to a big truck spring shop and have them reverse the spring eyes to lower it or at the very least dearch them some. You can get a couple of inches out of that. That may be the best deal right there.

Have you checked tvblazer's thread? His is 2wd lowered. Leafs and air bags on the rear. You might find something there to help.

[68Timber]

Boog, I posted that pic and regretted it immediately. It looks high in the rear there. If I'd posted a pic of it in my driveway, it'd look like an ass-dragger. On level ground, it is level.

The rear replacement springs are in the mail. I'll figure out what to do from there. I'm still convinced 2/2 will be perfect.

I just don't want to hack anything if I can help it.

[Boog]

Oh I understand your concerns. Blazers and Burbs are well known for sagged rear leafs after a few years. I have heard a company like Detroit Spring could make any spring you need. I bought some new leafs and coils for a 57 Chevy car from a local parts store that were made by TRW. Over 20 yrs ago.
Well hey, I'd keep on looking for springs, lowered springs, etc and if I found one I could return the stockers I had coming.

[78ChevySilverado]

I used Western Chassis shackles. I also think that hangers would prolly have the same problem since they basically do the same thing. Flip kit isn't the way to go either unless you wanna c-notch the frame to keep the suspension travel.

[kevinr1970]

Is there anything on the front end of the springs that would give you clearance issues with dropped hangers? Probably a cheap solution there.

If I understood correctly, tvblazer originally used later model (1992-00?) K5 4x4 springs as a direct bolt in then did the flip kit. Springs were 2" or 3" higher but the flip kit brought it down 4" or 5"; net drop was 2" or 3" (can't remember exactly).
I don't remember if he c-notched it or not? But IIRC, a notch was not needed for the total amount of drop he ended up with.
On the lowered '81 Blazer I sold last summer it had a flip kit but there was only about 1-1/2" of clearance between the axle and the frame with the stops cut off. I never drove it but the PO said he never had an issue with it hitting the frame. I found that hard to believe after taking a close look at it.

My goal is to lower it 2/2 or maybe 3/3 with the method listed above. Please keep us informed on what you do!

[lolife99]

A cheap fix isn't easy. Flip the rear on stock leaf springs. If you swap out the rear hanger with one off of a 4x4 it will give you the frame clearance you need. The problem is you have to remove the gas tank. Grind the frame rivets off,... and then bolt on the 4x4 brackets. No gas tanks problems associated with using drop shackles.

[lolife99]

This is my old '82 2wd blazer. It had 4" dropped leaf springs and a dropped shackle. I had to do some "creative" routing of the gas tank fill piping. I used exhaust tubing bends and the original rubber fill hose to route it away from the drop shackle. If I had it to do again,... I would flip it,...and use the rear 4x4 blazer spring mounts.

[68Timber]

I appreciate all the help. I went outside and took a flashlight to my truck and it looks like I have three or four inches from the top of the rear shackle to the gas hose. Not from the mounting bolt, from the top of the current rear shackle.

I'll take a picture this weekend with a tape measure there, maybe I'm wrong. But I think I can do a 2" shackle drop no problem. If it rubs the gas hose I think I can get a longer one and route it around the shackle.

I'll post the pics as soon as I can make them. Thanks.

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by lolife99

This is my old '82 2wd blazer. It had 4" dropped leaf springs and a dropped shackle. I had to do some "creative" routing of the gas tank fill piping. I used exhaust tubing bends and the original rubber fill hose to route it away from the drop shackle. If I had it to do again,... I would flip it,...and use the rear 4x4 blazer spring mounts.

did you sell that 82 to someone in Arkansas. It looks exactly like one a friend of mine has.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by lolife99

This is my old '82 2wd blazer. It had 4" dropped leaf springs and a dropped shackle. I had to do some "creative" routing of the gas tank fill piping. I used exhaust tubing bends and the original rubber fill hose to route it away from the drop shackle. If I had it to do again,... I would flip it,...and use the rear 4x4 blazer spring mounts.

How much drop was in the shackle?

[DROPPED15]

If Any Body Knows About Lowering A BlAzer Tvblazer Will.pm Him He'll Answer Any ?'s That You Have!!!

[lolife99]

bagged74,... The guy I sold it to lived in southern MO. This was a pretty cool ride,... but it needed quarters. I kinda wish I would have kept it and put a later model tub on it. '89-'91 4x4 blazers are pretty cheap around here. Do you have any pics of your buddys? I'd know it if I saw it.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Blazin79

How much drop was in the shackle?

2 inch.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by lolife99

2 inch.

Thanks. 2" is about all I want to do, if I have to reroute the filler hose that should be the cheapest and easiest way to make 2" drop shackles work.

The new rear leaf springs arrived yesterday, I'd love to dive into this but it's that time of year where we're getting together with family every weekend through December. Except this weekend.

I'll see how much I can get done.

I really appreciate the help, I've lifted my trucks before but I have no experience lowering one so all the advice is gold. Thanks.

[lolife99]

Blazin79,... Don't be surprised if you don't get a full two inches. New springs usually means they are going to raise it up. Add a 2" shackle and you might be right back to where you are now. I guess I don't understand what you are trying to achieve. Are you going to pull a trailer? Is that why you want to change the springs? Why not just add the shackles to your "sagging" springs?

[68Timber]

Yeah, I know... I've got a bunch of spring sag. If 2" drop shackles get me back where it is now after putting replacement rear springs on I'll be in good shape. It's not like I have any choice, the springs on the truck are shot. I've never seen it at factory height, but I'm pretty sure 1" or 2" will put it where I want.

Again, I appreciate the help.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by lolife99

This is my old '82 2wd blazer. It had 4" dropped leaf springs and a dropped shackle. I had to do some "creative" routing of the gas tank fill piping. I used exhaust tubing bends and the original rubber fill hose to route it away from the drop shackle. If I had it to do again,... I would flip it,...and use the rear 4x4 blazer spring mounts.

My eyes lied to me, the filler has to be moved. It look like a simple $10 fix to get a curve welded in at the local muffler shop. I just need to drop the tank first. Thanks for the tip.

[Boog]

It's been a while John. So how's it looking now? I just noticed yours is almost the same color as the 82 Ken posted for sale.