Lowering... leaf spring bracket flip???
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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Lowering... leaf spring bracket flip???
I have a 1969 short bed w/flexomatic leaf springs.
I've been reading (did a search) a lot of threads about this but have some questions. Hope someone reading has done this mod.
After i cut the front bracket out how do I determine where to remount it? Do I bolt it back onto the leaf spring and lower the truck down and kind of see where it wants to go?
Maybe just over thinking this but I'd like to have a plan in place.
I'm thinking just keep the front spring eye bolt hole moving straight up as opposed to any fore/aft movement. Maybe mark a centerline first.
Just thinking out loud here I have no experience with this kind of mod.
Is there a simple way to measure pinion angle with out spending a lot of cash on special tools?
thanks
I've been reading (did a search) a lot of threads about this but have some questions. Hope someone reading has done this mod.
After i cut the front bracket out how do I determine where to remount it? Do I bolt it back onto the leaf spring and lower the truck down and kind of see where it wants to go?
Maybe just over thinking this but I'd like to have a plan in place.
I'm thinking just keep the front spring eye bolt hole moving straight up as opposed to any fore/aft movement. Maybe mark a centerline first.
Just thinking out loud here I have no experience with this kind of mod.
Is there a simple way to measure pinion angle with out spending a lot of cash on special tools?
thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Is there a simple way to measure pinion angle with out spending a lot of cash on special tools?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
Thanks
how much of a drop did you get from the flip and did you need to adjust pinion angle?
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 34
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front hanger flip
hi all
The way I did mine was once i had the hanger loose i flipped it upside down and two of the rivet holes will line up on the wide part of the bracket and i bolted them in and drilled two more holes and bolted them also. now this is called a half hanger flip because you can move the brackets further up and drill all new holes. but the bed needs to be on to make sure the bracket doesnt hit the bottom of the bed.After this I also did an axle flip and c notched the frame with half sections of 6 inch i/4 wall steam pipe and boxed the inside of the frame with 1/4 inch plates . i have about 4 inches of travel before the hogshead hits the bottom of the bed. I did this to get the truck exactly level with the crown vic front suspension i installed after cutting two coils off of the front springs.
The way I did mine was once i had the hanger loose i flipped it upside down and two of the rivet holes will line up on the wide part of the bracket and i bolted them in and drilled two more holes and bolted them also. now this is called a half hanger flip because you can move the brackets further up and drill all new holes. but the bed needs to be on to make sure the bracket doesnt hit the bottom of the bed.After this I also did an axle flip and c notched the frame with half sections of 6 inch i/4 wall steam pipe and boxed the inside of the frame with 1/4 inch plates . i have about 4 inches of travel before the hogshead hits the bottom of the bed. I did this to get the truck exactly level with the crown vic front suspension i installed after cutting two coils off of the front springs.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 60
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From: Marshville NC
I am in the process of doing mine right now. Question to those that have done it. When you use the angle shims to correct the angle of the driveline.. How did you get long enough center pins in the leafs? my shims don't have pins made into them.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 193
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From: Denton, TX
How much of a drop will you get from flipping the rear axle & notching the frame?
I have the flex-o-matic springs so I know I can't use the DJM shackles, hangers, etc. I figured instead of buying new non-flex-o-matic leaf springs that I would just flip the axle to save money. I'm afraid it will drop the rear-end so much that I am forced to do the CV swap up front instead of a DJM i-beam drop. I want to drop it far enough to barely tuck the tires under the fenders.
Should I flip the rear axle or buy new leaf springs & get a DJM 3"-4" drop kit?
I have the flex-o-matic springs so I know I can't use the DJM shackles, hangers, etc. I figured instead of buying new non-flex-o-matic leaf springs that I would just flip the axle to save money. I'm afraid it will drop the rear-end so much that I am forced to do the CV swap up front instead of a DJM i-beam drop. I want to drop it far enough to barely tuck the tires under the fenders.
Should I flip the rear axle or buy new leaf springs & get a DJM 3"-4" drop kit?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Bella Vista, Ar
How much of a drop will you get from flipping the rear axle & notching the frame?
I have the flex-o-matic springs so I know I can't use the DJM shackles, hangers, etc. I figured instead of buying new non-flex-o-matic leaf springs that I would just flip the axle to save money. I'm afraid it will drop the rear-end so much that I am forced to do the CV swap up front instead of a DJM i-beam drop. I want to drop it far enough to barely tuck the tires under the fenders.
Should I flip the rear axle or buy new leaf springs & get a DJM 3"-4" drop kit?
I have the flex-o-matic springs so I know I can't use the DJM shackles, hangers, etc. I figured instead of buying new non-flex-o-matic leaf springs that I would just flip the axle to save money. I'm afraid it will drop the rear-end so much that I am forced to do the CV swap up front instead of a DJM i-beam drop. I want to drop it far enough to barely tuck the tires under the fenders.
Should I flip the rear axle or buy new leaf springs & get a DJM 3"-4" drop kit?
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