Hangers and a flip kit? Will this work?

[nico]

My 84 SWB, see below, is currently lowered with 2.5" spindles, 2" hangers, 2" shackles and the thickest overload springs removed. I liked the look when it was on 15" Cragars, but since I've gone with Torq Thrusts, it seems a little high and has too much rake. The new shoes are 17x8 and 17x9.5 with 255/50 and 275/50 Nitto's.

My question is: Can I keep my hangers and then go with a 5" flip kit? I'm not sure what it would do to my pinion angle... What should I go with in the front to level things out: I'm considering 2" springs?

Is 5/7 too low for a static drop cruiser?

[Captkaos]

A flip kit on top of the shackle/hangers will put the rear to low in comparison to what you can get the front for a driver.  5/7 is about as low as I would go for a conservative driver.  Plus added the flip will throw your pinion off big time.

I would put a flip and hanger on the back and spindles /1" springs to get about 3.5/5 out of it.  Of course you have to put the stock hangers back on.

[Flamingbig10]

I would with 2" lowering leafs

[69byrd]

I would with 2" lowering leafs

x2  and I would like to say your truck looks sweet with the Torque Thrust on it.

[eventhorizon66]

Who makes good lowering leafs for these trucks?

[nico]

Thanks for the compliments everyone... I will probably pull the stock hangers off one of my parts trucks this weekend.

My original thoughts were: Shackles are -2, Hangers are -2, overload leaf is -3/4 = -5-ish
Remove shackles +2, flip kit -5 = -7 under stock

If I keep my spindles and hangers, and add 2" coils and a flip kit, I should be around 4.5/7... Perfect for my staggered tire sizes.

I'm not sure how low I want to go... I may end up adding stock hangers, flip kit and trimming some stock front springs until the rake is perfect.

[nico]

After studying some of my leftover parts, I decided to swap the rear leaf springs on this project.  My other 84 had a set of light duty spring with new poly-graphite bushings already installed...

The tan truck was originally a Big 10 package with five leaves, including the thickest overload, and rode accordingly.

I swapped these springs for a set of standard light-duty springs with three leaves (minus the overloads) and the truck dropped well over an inch... Now, it has about around 5.5" of rear drop, 2.5" of front drop and is very close to the look I was going for...

Thanks to all those who offered advice!

[treepete]

im sorry to bring this post back, but they always say to search before asking a redundant question...

did you happen to have pictures of your new setup since you did this work? I am in about the same boat.. Im considering a flip kit to lower my rear a bit, but not sure how to approach it because the PO has a belltech 3/5 on it already with the dropped shackles and spindles. can I do a flip kit still and some coils in the front? I just want to do another inch in the front and maybe 1.5-2" in the back.

Ive got a great ride now, si I can sacrifice a little of comfort to get that lowered stance om looking for.
thanks for your thoughts.


just throwin that out there.

[Captkaos]

A Belltech 3/5 kit should be either spindles and 1" spring/flip OR they 3" spindles/ flip.
You can't put a flip on a flip...  If you axle is ABOVE the springs you already have a flip kit.

[84stepside]

But is it possible to reinstall the stock shackles, leave the dropped hangers, then do a flip kit to get approx. 7 inches of drop? I just so happen to be contemplating this idea also. Will I need to do any adjustments for the pinion angle? Also, is having the axle above the leafs better for tire hook up?

[Captkaos]

Axle above the leaf is just how you accomplish a flip kit, it is flipped to the top of the springs.
What exactly do you have first?

It is possible, but you will DEFINITELY have pinion angles to address using those together.

[84stepside]

Right now I have dropped shackles & hangers, which gave me approx. 4" of drop. I was thinking of putting the stock shackles back on which would bring me back up 2", then do the flip kit. Which I figure would be 2" hanger + 5" flip would give me 7". Has anyone done this? Also, is tire hookup better with the axle on top of leafs?

[Captkaos]

Yes you can, and you will need shims.

Where the axle is has little to do with hookup on a leaf setup.

[84stepside]

Thanks Capt.