One of my friends with a Lightning says that by using 2 inch drop shackles and removing one leaf from the factory leaf springs it will drop the rear of a Lightning 4 inches and in turn help it get better traction. He said that there are a lot of people doing this on L's. I was wondering if us Silverado guys can do this as well? If so that would be a great alternative to buying leafs for the rear, because you would only spend $ on shackles and 2 inch lowering springs for the front to get that 2/4 drop.

 

I dunno about the drop height, but it may help with traction. Leaf springs dont help all that much w/ traction. Ive heard of more stories of ppl getting better traction by goin 4-links w/ coilovers. But, pulling out a leaf will definatly drop it a bit, but it may not be as beneficial in the traction end

 

ok he is not lying. generaly you get an inch from removing a spring. but it varries on the app. i would not do it on our trucks because there are not enough springs. therefore i believe it would bottom out very easy because it is going to be so soft. you could maybe do it with a set of helper bags. the only way i could see it benifiting traction is it would help with weight transfer.

 

No It will not work on ours.I tried that and like sleeper said not enough springs.As soon as I took a leaf out and let the jack down the frame was on the axle.

Mike

www.geocities.com/mikestruckshop2003/1HOT99SILVERADO

 

But you can clamp down the overload leaf. This will drop it about an inch and also help with axle wrap/wheel hop. We've done it on two of my friends trucks and it works.

 

Yeah sounds good, I have seen some of the fastest older cars at the track with leaf springs, running a single leaf with a traction bar. Seen a bunch of Caltrac owners out there, funny I never even heard of them until this website.

 

If you want performance based leafs, i've heard Hotchkis has some kickass components

 

Yes they are. But that throws the cheap factor out the window.

 

I have done this on my 91 and also on my 03
On the bottom of the spring pack is a loose helper
it is not clamped in with the rest of the pack of leafs
If you remove all four nuts on the u bolts - jack the rear end up - remove the locating pin and nut - you can remove that bottom leaf - reassy
It will lower the truck a little- maybe .5 to 1 inch max
It will also reduce your load carrying capacity - if you
care about that - But it does work
Traction ?? Dunno - maybe a guy that races harder than I do can chime in.

 

Can you shoot me a pic of exactly what you did here?