First Post - 71 C20 - Leveling

[Voorhees]

Hello everyone. This is my first post on the forums. I have been reading a lot of the forum posts and decided to create an account. The short story is that I am 25 years old and bought a 71 C20 with my brother about a year ago. Nothing special, other than it is my first older vehicle. This truck did have some rust but for the most part was pretty straight. We bought the truck in September of 2013 with the intention of restoring it as time and money became available.

After about a month of having the truck, we dismantled it in our driveway and started bodywork. I build cabinets for a living, and we do our own finishing, so I said lets just paint it ourselves. Anyways, it took between 3 and 4 months of working on it when we could to get it stripped and painted. This is a driveway paint job. We didn't have a spray booth, or much bondo skills, so we did miss a few dents, but I feel they add character. After getting the truck back to a driveable state, we took a break for about 6 months. It was just so hot during the summer months and we needed a break.

The truck has a 454 out of a 76 1 ton donor truck paired to a factory th350 with a dana 60 4.10:1 rear end. Not to great on mileage, but it sure breaks those rear tires loose easily. We have been going through the systems, and are at the suspension. It is an 8-lug truck and it is going to stay that way, because it will on occasion tow a vintage trailer. The brakes are done, however the bushings everywhere need replacing. We are just trying to level the truck out because the rear end sticks up kind of high. We took it to our buddy who owns an alignment shop and he said that he would first replace the front springs and do the bushings before trying to mess with the rear.

Anyways, that project will be coming up one weekend, however I am trying to get a couple inch drop in the rear. I can't find any shackles specific for 3/4 ton trucks. From my best estimates, the shackles are the same on c10's and c20's. Am I correct in assuming this? I know it has the weird 2.25" leaf pack too. The reason I ask, is because those bushings are shot as well and it is just easier to get new shackles with bushings already inside. Any place that sells them would also be greatly appreciated too. Thanks.

[1972BlueC20]

Welcome to the forum from Texas!!!

Good looking truck you got there, I can't see how well the paint looks up close, but it looks like you guys did a great job considering what you were working with.

as for the questions you had, Im not sure and I look forward to others with the knowledge to chime in. I have a C20 as well, and would like to know myself.

Good luck finding the answers and keep up the good work!

[Voorhees]

Thanks. A lot more cut and buff than I would have liked. It took me probably close to 40 hours to wet sand and buff the orange peel off. There are some minor dents, but overall I am happy with how the paint came out. You can see the overspray on the ground in some of the pictures. That's how you can tell I painted it in the backyard. Not quite a show truck, but a nice driver. A lot of people can't believe it when I tell them where I sprayed it. This was my first time spraying a car and red was not a cheap color. I learned a lot though.

[Voorhees]

Finally got the suspension work done. A lot more involved than I thought it would be. Did the front end with new control arm bushing and ball joints. Those were a lot worse off then I thought. Anyways that actually brought the front end up about 1.5" from where it was sitting. I guess everything was just sagging pretty good.

Finally got around to the back and that was pretty far worn. I did the leaf spring eyes and found some drop shackles to work. A lot of people told me that the rear used 5/8" bolts, and half tons used 9/16" bolts. The one guy at DJM suspensions said to pull a bolt and check and if it is the same they sell half ton drop shackles.

I don't know if it is for all 3/4 ton trucks or not, but half ton drop shackles fit perfectly. Everything on the rear end was 9/16" bolts besides the u bolts. I also found out that you aren't supposed to reuse those and had to have some new ones made. No notching the bed support or anything. I don't know why no one says they don't sell 3/4 ton drop shackles.

Anyways here is how the truck sits now and the era appropriate trailer it will be towing.

[FL71C10]

Truck looks great, what color is that?

[Sicklajoie]

Sharp truck!

[rocknss]

Welcome to the board

Very nice truck!

[70LonghornCST]

Welcome to the site! Great looking truck.

[Tinkermc]

Looks very nice and the Silver Sausage too

[Mike C]

If it's a leaf spring truck, Early Classic Enterprises has lowering shackles to fit the 2 1/4" width springs. I put them on my '70 GMC C2500 to bring the back down a little. I used the lower of the two holes (lowered the rear less) and did not need to trim the bed crossmember. Most likely if you lower it with the higher hole (from the ground) you will need to trim.

I'm doing an axle flip on a 69 short step C10 with leafs next week and the shackles are in the box just in case I need to get it down just a tic more. I think you will be happy with the shackles for your application as well.

[Stranny64]

Good looking truck!!! Nice job! Love the Airstreams too!

[Voorhees]

Thanks everyone. Been busy lately. The color is Victory Red. I ran 2" drop shackles from DJM suspension. they had 2 different size holes to choose the drop. I went with the upper holes for the maximum drop and did not have to notch the bed rail. It was however real close to uitting. About 3/8" worth of clearance. I thought that I would have to notch but everything fit. I was a little skeptical about the shackles, so that is why I went with DJM. They are about 45 minutes from my place.