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Re: [oletrucks] lowering rear with original leaf springs

To: "Don Simmons" <tasimmons@cbnn.net>, <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] lowering rear with original leaf springs
From: "joe" <chevy1@jps.net>
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000 21:16:22 -0700
Don,

On one of my 3100  I  lowered the truck by notching and raised the spring
perches up into the frame.

You could also find a donor AD and substitute the front "shorter perches"
for the longer rear perches to lower the spring.

Have you thought about moving the springs below the rearend if it hasn't
already been done and adding lowering blocks between spring and rearend to
lower the truck.

I wouldn't recommend removing any leafs for the pack because you not only
reduce the load carrying capacity "even if you say....I don't plan on
carrying anything", you also cause the rearend to rotate up during
acceleration "spring wrap" and that leads to excessive pinion angle, wheel
hop and u-joint wear.

I have the full leaf set with 4" lowering blocks and shortened spring
perches in my 50 Chevy and it's very low.   I also have a 1969 Chevelle posi
rearend and can light up the tires with no wheel hop which wouldn't be the
case with removed springs.  I know because I did the same thing 10 years ago
on another AD with a V-8 and had all the symptoms listed previously.

The Chevelle rearend will have bushing towers on the center section where
the strut bars used to locate the rearend into the Chevelle frame.  The
rearend cover will have an outward  protrusion to sling oil.  Theirs also a
breather tube on the top right hand side of the rearend.

Joe
http://chevy1.freeservers.com/
http://50chevy.freeservers.com/
----- Original Message -----
From: Don Simmons <tasimmons@cbnn.net>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2000 7:44 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] lowering rear with original leaf springs


> What can be done with the original rear leaf springs to lower a 53 3100?
Can
> leaves be removed? Is there an inexpensive alternative? I would like to go
> with monoleafs but $400. price tag is holding me back. Thanks in advance
for
> any advice!
> Don Simmons    By the way I have installed a (Chevelle?) rear end now and
> have put the 54 car hubs/drums on allready for 5-lug wheels. Works great.
> Also is there a kit of some kind to mount the rear end better? The rear
end
> I used was taken from a 49 pickup that was allready converted by someone
> else along the way. Thats why the question mark after Chevelle,I'm told
> thats where it came from anyway. The mounting of spring perches is so-so
and
> done by previous owner, so if there is something out there that is better
> I'd like to know. Thanks again!
>
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>

oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959

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