Caught between a axle flip and a hard place.

[70's luvr]

1970 C20. I did an axle flip on the rear but am hitting the frame rail on some bumps. I have the original 5 leaf spring pack in the back and I don't want to do a C-notch (at least one that takes 1/2 the frame rail away) so how do I get another inch or two back into the rear suspension height?

[chevy_mike]

I don't recall if the rear shackles on these are tension or compression style (I have only had trailing arm setups). Depending on the style, either a longer or shorter shackle will raise it up. Keep in mind that you only get half the lift of how much the shackle moves the mounting location (i.e. if the mounting holes are spaced 2" further apart then stock, you will only get a 1" lift).

Obviously this will raise the back of the truck. If you want to keep the current look, you'll have to notch the frame.

[70's luvr]

Thanks for the reply Mike. I don't believe I could make the shackles any shorter than stock. I was wondering if a new set of leaf springs would buy me any height (Stock ones have to have sagged) but then it'll ride even stiffer. Do they make lift shackle mounts? Can you just move the stock ones down?

[lolife99]

Have you thought about adding an air-lift style bag set-up on the rear.
Two bags could be plumbed with Schrader valves for easy height adjustments?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by 70's luvr

Thanks for the reply Mike. I don't believe I could make the shackles any shorter than stock. I was wondering if a new set of leaf springs would buy me any height (Stock ones have to have sagged) but then it'll ride even stiffer. Do they make lift shackle mounts? Can you just move the stock ones down?

I know on my '84 M1010 (basically a K-30 with ambulance box) they were shackle flips for doing a lift. I did mine with a 2 1/2" lift. No idea if they make them for '72 and earlier.

[chase@ridetech]

you can try an AirOver Leaf, but it will also stiffen up the ride quality.

[chase@ridetech]

or... if you dont mind welding, you could build a small notch out of steel tubing. I grabbed this image from another site:

[ksshane]

I had the same problem. ended up doing a c notch. New springs will help some, but you will still probably hit from time to time.

[70's luvr]

Thanks for ideas! Say I wanted to lower the spring mounts? Could you just use 1/4 plate to extend down from the frame then bolt the mount to it? In this case one set of bolts would go through frame and lower bolts would go through mount then plate.

[70's luvr]

Looks like they make 4" flip shackles that I assume really means 2" of actual lift? I'm guessing you use the stock shackles and just flipping them over.

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm



Edit: Just spoke to Chris at ORD and it's 8" lift so actual would be 4"...too much.

[tinydb84]

I like how low it is in the rear. Any reason you don't want do to the C notch like Chase suggested? That is what I would do personally.

My (1975) C20 had support brackets off the bottom of the shackles and hanger mounts as they hung partly below the frame. It was basically an L shaped bracket that was riveted to the frame and bracket. You could lower your shackles and hangers and do the same if you want.

[70's luvr]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I like how low it is in the rear. Any reason you don't want do to the C notch like Chase suggested? That is what I would do personally.

My (1975) C20 had support brackets off the bottom of the shackles and hanger mounts as they hung partly below the frame. It was basically an L shaped bracket that was riveted to the frame and bracket. You could lower your shackles and hangers and do the same if you want.

I guess I still wanted to keep some of the C20 capacity. I put just my dirt bike in the back and I'm banging the frame too easily. A heavy duty C-notch will probably end up being the outcome of this.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by 70's luvr

I guess I still wanted to keep some of the C20 capacity. I put just my dirt bike in the back and I'm banging the frame too easily. A heavy duty C-notch will probably end up being the outcome of this.

If you only need an inch or so I wouldn't worry about notching it (done properly of course).

Depending on your budget you can also get new/lift springs.