Another drop shackle question, just a little different.

[Toad455]

Ok, I did research on this subject and see that with a 2" drop shackle with 52"leafs springs you have to notch the bed support. I just got a set of 1-2" drop shackles, what if I cut them off at the black marker line (see pic) and just used the 1" drop hole, will that clear without cutting the bed? My bed us currently off so I can't tell. If it does have to have the notch does anyone have a detailed pic of where to cut the bed so I can do it before I mount it back on? I still have a lot of work to do before I can sit this bed back on. And here's a pic of the bed standing up. Thanks.

 

[Grit dog]

I’d suggest doing a search here and on the good ole interwebs….sorry @bucket ….lol.
I researched all the methods for lowering as I plan on lowering the 77. 3/5ish
What I decided was unless you want to drop 6” or more in the rear, lowering springs are the simplest easiest and least amount of labor by a long shot on a good condition truck. And if you want more than 4” drop then use a small drop shackle that iirc doesn’t require notching at 2” or less. Or if it’s a F44 truck 4” springs should net 5” or a bit more. (I think. Havent confirmed with Western chassi yet if their 3” or 4” springs are based on a standard light duty 5 leaf truck. )
There are some nuances between spring length and long vs short bed though iirc.

 

[Grit dog]

Ok, I did research on this subject and see that with a 2" drop shackle with 52"leafs springs you have to notch the bed support. I just got a set of 1-2" drop shackles, what if I cut them off at the black marker line (see pic) and just used the 1" drop hole, will that clear without cutting the bed? My bed us currently off so I can't tell. If it does have to have the notch does anyone have a detailed pic of where to cut the bed so I can do it before I mount it back on? I still have a lot of work to do before I can sit this bed back on. And here's a pic of the bed standing up. Thanks.

Are you only dropping it 1” or also doing the front brackets? What’s your end goal because you don’t describe what you’re doing and you can lose 1” fairly easy just by removing a couple leafs.

 

[Toad455]

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that I just got new Leafs from ST. Louis Spring, the are like the originals: 4 (3-1) the lightest version I believe. For the front I have a set of 2" drop springs, that's about as low as I want to go.

 

[Toad455]

Are you only dropping it 1” or also doing the front brackets? What’s your end goal because you don’t describe what you’re doing and you can lose 1” fairly easy just by removing a couple leafs.

I just posted more info before I saw this. Yes, I only want about an inch or so in the rear. This truck sat higher in the front anyhow and I hated that. I didn't do anything to the mounts.

 

[Grit dog]

Ok. Interesting.
Drop coils would not have been my first choice. But based on others experience only.
I’ve never seen a stock 2wd anything (from squarebody to every other 2wd mfg in the last 6 or 7 decades) that sat higher in the front.

 

[Toad455]

Yes, it looked ridiculous. Never hauled anything its whole life. I'm not sure if I'll like the drop coils or not. The frame is still on stands, blasted and painted with only the front suspension done. If it sits level or just a tad high in the rear I'll be fine. I just hate the thought of having to tear back into it after it's done.

 

[Grit dog]

Yes, it looked ridiculous. Never hauled anything its whole life. I'm not sure if I'll like the drop coils or not. The frame is still on stands, blasted and painted with only the front suspension done. If it sits level or just a tad high in the rear I'll be fine. I just hate the thought of having to tear back into it after it's done.

99.9% sure it was not stock springs then. Even big block springs broke in holding up a small block would not look ridiculous. Maybe…1/2-1” higher than SB springs? 1” being a stretch.
Sum ting Wong. If it was that much higher, 2” drop coils may yield 4-5”??

 

[Toad455]

It wasn't that high just a little higher than the rear. It's a factory 305 truck, my dad bought it new and nothings been changed until now. The rear leafs 4 (3-1) had wear that I've never seen before, maybe that played a part. I am concerned about the 2" front drop springs coming out of their pocket when the truck is lifted off the ground or going over a large dip.

 

[xm20k]

I just swapped out my 2" drop springs for a set of stock springs they were too low with my smaller front tire. look at the angle of the A arms it had to go up maybe 3"

Before

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After

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[Toad455]

What size wheels? I'm running 15's.

 

[xm20k]

What size wheels? I'm running 15's.

Font is 17x4.5 with a 26 tall tire rear is 15x10 with a 28 tall tire

 

[Rustisbest]

https://content.speedwaymotors.com/DigitalAssets/assets/charts/127041650DS_INS_2023_4.pdf

Measurements on where to cut in that link if it works. You won't have to cut up as much but I don't see a way around it.

 

[Toad455]

Thanks much! That's exactly what I needed to know.

 

[Grit dog]

It wasn't that high just a little higher than the rear. It's a factory 305 truck, my dad bought it new and nothings been changed until now. The rear leafs 4 (3-1) had wear that I've never seen before, maybe that played a part. I am concerned about the 2" front drop springs coming out of their pocket when the truck is lifted off the ground or going over a large dip.

You do know the front fender well cutout is higher than the rear by I forget, 2” or so. If the truck is truly leveled it will look high in front or low in rear. If this was a never hauled anything truck, it seems highly unlikely the rear springs could be sacked out. Maybe also worn spring eye bushings contributing to the low in back look?