Chevy & GMC Vans

A while ago I cut my front springs, just one coil but it made a big difference. Last weekend I got tired of the stink bug stance, and decided to drop the rear.

For my rear drop I did an axle flip. This lowered the van 6". I used the old axle saddles from the DJM flip kit from my 84 GMC Sierra. When I started to put things back together The clam shells were 2" to tall so I sectioned them. I plan on putting in a c-notch but since I also want to convert to steel springs I will wait.

So far all of the mods I have done were free, unless you count the welding gas, and my time.

When you cut the springs in the front, did it cause the van to ride different? Is it softer or harder?

astro355 wrote:When you cut the springs in the front, did it cause the van to ride different? Is it softer or harder?

I havent noticed a difference. I only cut one coil, before I had Dodge Dakota dropped springs and that made it ride stiffer, and they sagged real quick. The thing that affected the ride is that the rear is on the bump stops, which I hope to cure this weekend.

Good post, but yeah with a flip like that retaining the "stock", front and rear spring mounting points you will definately need to C-Notch your frame rails. The axle slammin` on the chassis gets very annoying.... > very quickly!

I`m sure that you have seen my C-Notch pics around here..... do a search

SoCali, yeah I have seen your notch. The pic of that rectangle tubing is going to be my notch. I wanted to do the notch this weekend but I discoverd the axle isnt square in the chassis. It isnt noticable with the 225/70/15s, but I was experimenting with 275/60/17s and saw that the tire hit the back of the fender lip on the drivers side and was nearly centered on the passenger side.

Right now my axle doesnt hit the frame, I left the stock bump stops in place. It rides real bumpy though. I drove my Silverado for a week before cutting the notches on it, and that got old real fast.

*Update*


I have since raised the rear of my van with fuullsize truck lowering shackles. I had to use spacers at the point where they mount to the "frame" but otherwise they work great. This is only temporary however. My ultimate plan is to convert to steal springs and a normal spring pad and u-bolts, as well as a c-notch. When I convert to weld on spring pads I will lose the clumsy axle mounts and correct the pinion angle. I used the same method in place of a traditional axle flip on my 90 Silverado.

Nice job Lon.

You guys up north notice anything strange to you in those shots under Lon's van ?

Rebel wrote:Nice job Lon.

You guys up north notice anything strange to you in those shots under Lon's van ?

looks to be rust free.....

Rebel wrote:Nice job Lon.

You guys up north notice anything strange to you in those shots under Lon's van ?

Yeah, rub it in, Larry, rub it in...

Definitely upgrade to steel leaf springs, from the composite.

wow. just amazing work Lon. Thanks for posting the pics. I wish I had the knowledge/skills.

Thanks for the compliments.

Larry dont too uppity about the rust freeness of my van. I have replaced a lot of floor pans in southern cars. And my newest toy (V-8 Blazer) is rusty in the strangest places. Above the back window and I found rust last night when I took off the A/C box to convert to heater only.


Crash, knowledge and skills?!?! Nope. Pure dumb luck.

your pics frustrated me so much with our winters, I decided to run out and take a pic of the same spot.

let's do a little comparison... you're 93 ext vs. my 93 ext

Crash, your photo comparison really makes the point.
Larry, when are you going to open "Rebel's Gently Used and Rust-Free Southern Vehicles on Milepost 96"? I'll be your first customer.

crash wrote:your pics frustrated me so much with our winters, I decided to run out and take a pic of the same spot.

let's do a little comparison... you're 93 ext vs. my 93 ext

Crash, that freakin scary! This further illustrates why I HATE winter.