Flip Kit or shackles/hangers That is the Question

[chevymotocross]

Hello everyone, I have had my 87 r10 swb for little over a year now, and it's time to lower. My plans were to go with a 2.5/4 drop via spindles and a shackle/hanger kit, but after checking out other trucks, I'm not sure if it will be enough drop. I am now considering a flip kit and spindles with springs for about a 4/5 drop. I daily drive the truck, most I usually haul are a few dirt bikes and sometimes I use a 5x8 open utility trailer. My truck currently has 265/75/15 tires which I know are too big for dropping, so I was going to go with a 255/70/15.

Problem is, I'm not sure if I want to notch my frame for the flip kit. I know it's probably easier to install the flip kit, but I know I won't have to notch with shackles/hangers, plus, I do have air chissels and I've done shackles/hangers before, it's not that hard. Few questions, if I go flip kit, will I have to install other items, that aren't included in most kits, such as pinion shims? Can I use shock extenders with the flip kit, like I was going to use if I install just shackles/hangers? Or do I have to get new shocks?

If I go the shackles/hangers route, I already know about having to notch the bed support, which is fine, since mine is basically not there! (it is rotting away which I will replace when I take the bed off anyways). But do I have to install pinion shims?

I like a slight rake, not dramatic, so with a shackle/hanger spindle drop, should I also add 1'' springs? If I go with flip kit, should I install spindles with 2'' springs (and new shocks of course)?

The first pic is of my truck as it sits now. 2nd pic, belongs to a member on this board, sorry, I forgot who, but it has a 2.5/4 drop with 255/70/15 tires. Looks good but I think I would like it slightly lower all around.

The 3rd and 4th pics are of a truck which was on ebay, unsure of complete specs, but it has the flip kit, as you can see, and it looks like it has adequate clearance with no notch and bump stops removed, it looks as though a c-notch isn't even necessary. Not sure on his front drop specs, but I'm guessing spindles and 2'' springs. I believe those are also 255/70/15 tires but they might be a 60 series tire, not sure. I'm hoping with that much drop, a 255/70/15 won't rub, since I dont have any 60 series tires laying around.

Any other opinions are greatly appreciated!

My truck:



2.5/4 drop with 255/70/15 tires on a boardmember's truck:



Flip kit on the ebay truck:

[VileZambonie]

You don't have to notch the frame to do a flip kit. If you plan on bagging it that's a different story but if you've got helathy rear springs, flip it and use lowering spindles and springs in the front.

[chevymotocross]

You don't have to notch the frame to do a flip kit. If you plan on bagging it that's a different story but if you've got helathy rear springs, flip it and use lowering spindles and springs in the front.

Awesome, I don't plan on bagging. I agree, from that pic of the ebay truck, and personally seeing a buddy's truck of mine, an 83 lwb c10, the axles aren't that close to bottoming with the bumpstops removed. I guess to eliminate the chance of bottoming in an extreme situation, a c-notch would be best, but I will avoid those "extreme" situations by not hauling a billion pounds of weight, and not hitting the huge potholes. What has caught my eye, are the DJM and belltech drops. Most spindles only offer 2.5'' of drop, the DJM and Belltech offer 3'' so that may eliminate my need of even having to add a 1'' spring with a 2.5'' spindle, maintaining my factory ride and front shocks. BUT, I read that they don't work well with a 15'' wheel. DANGIT!

[VileZambonie]

I have 15" wheels on my 74 an with the belltech spindles i had to grind the lower control arms slightly and ran a 1/4" spacer to clear the wheel. It actually sits nice. I also used coils and flipped the rear axle. Before you remove the bump stops make sure you even need too. I ended up welding mine back on 1/2" further back and could have just left them especially with the new rear springs.

[chevymotocross]

I have 15" wheels on my 74 an with the belltech spindles i had to grind the lower control arms slightly and ran a 1/4" spacer to clear the wheel. It actually sits nice. I also used coils and flipped the rear axle. Before you remove the bump stops make sure you even need too. I ended up welding mine back on 1/2" further back and could have just left them especially with the new rear springs.

Where did you have to add the spacer? Are you talking about a wheel spacer?

[VileZambonie]

yep one of these things

[chevymotocross]

yep one of these things

Used these just on the front to clear the drop spindles or at all 4 wheels? Does it make the wheel appear to be "bowed out"? I work at a Town Fair Tire (part time), and for some reason when a vehicle comes in with these, my service manager wants to puke. I honostly don't know why, but does it mess something up, like the alignment or something?

[VileZambonie]

No they don't mess up your alignment. I just used them on the front to gain enough clearance due to my wheel backspacing. If you work at town fair tire you should know how critical putting wheels on and torquing them with a torque wrench is as opposed to blasting your wheels on with an impact gun right? lol That's what your boss should be puking about to be honest with you... Depending on your wheels you may not need them at all. I have aluminum slots on my truck so I needed them.

[chevymotocross]

No they don't mess up your alignment. I just used them on the front to gain enough clearance due to my wheel backspacing. If you work at town fair tire you should know how critical putting wheels on and torquing them with a torque wrench is as opposed to blasting your wheels on with an impact gun right? lol That's what your boss should be puking about to be honest with you... Depending on your wheels you may not need them at all. I have aluminum slots on my truck so I needed them.

Everything gets torqued with a torque wrench. In fact, the impact guns are only 1 way, only 2 way guns in the shop belong to the alignment techs. I think I am going to go with the 3'' spindle 5'' rear drop kit from either DJM or Belltech, and hopefully all I have to do is minor grinding of the LCA. I think I may also add a 1'' drop spring to make sure it's level with a slight front rake. That way, I won't have to go with a 2.5'' spindle, add a 2'' spring, and sacrifice ride quality.

[VileZambonie]

Sounds like a good idea.

Too bad the town fair tires around here don't follow suit. A Jeep Grand Cherokee lost it's left front wheel on the highway last week probably going about 80mph and I saw the whole thing. Guess where he just had his tires rotated? He's lucky he wasn't killed or someone else.

[HAULIN IT]

To add to this: I've been amazed at how little a truck with average shocks really goes down upon hitting a bump, even with a little weight in the bed, most only go down an inch or so, two at the max. You may want to alter your bump stops, but the frame to axle should be just fine. Lorne 

[2502]

that flip kit makes the truck look so much better... i have no idea what's been done to my 80, but that was more of the reason to buy that truck for parts..

[chevymotocross]

Only other thing I am wondering about is the tire size. I wonder if the 255/70/15 will rub with the drop I want to do, or if I need to go down to a 255/60/15