Lifts and load capacity

[Pano]

I have an 87 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4. I use it for pulling a 27 ft travel trailer and hauling mulch wood etc. It has 2 leafs up front and 8 in the back which I believe are HD leafs.
I will be replacing the leaf springs and want to maintain or increase the hauling capacity. The truck will not go offload. It is not a daily driver and I am not concerned about the ride.I am running the stock 235/85/16 with dog dishes and plan to keep the same or replace with a slightly wider tire on steels to keep the stock caps.

My current plan is to go 3 or 4 leafs upfront for a potential future plow and the 8 leaf HD in the back. I was looking at Eaton or another OEM type supplier and considering 1inch ORD zero rate leaf blocks all around for a 1 inch lift. Eaton offers 1-3 inch increases but not on the front because they leafs are negative arched. The website says they do but I called them and eaton suggested the zero rates with a stock height front leaf. I have already read all the opinions about the zero rates up front.

Bottom line is I want to maintain or increase my hauling capacity and lift 1-2.5 inches if possible.

Do the 2-2.5 (ruff country, tuff country, skyjacker etc) lifts maintain the load capacity of OEM leafs? What do you guys think? Thx.
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[blakeduren]

Get 2 inch lift Tuff Country HD leafs for the front. It will lift it a bit and keep the capacity.
For the back, I think factory replacements will raise it an inch just from sag over the years, and throw a "zero rate" in to raise it a bit. You can get 9 leaf springs from a K30 truck also.

[Pano]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

Get 2 inch lift Tuff Country HD leafs for the front. It will lift it a bit and keep the capacity.
For the back, I think factory replacements will raise it an inch just from sag over the years, and throw a "zero rate" in to raise it a bit. You can get 9 leaf springs from a K30 truck also.

Made in US and a little pricey Eaton sells 56 inch rears in an 7/1 and 8/1 and can be ordered with +1, +2, or + 3 inch lifts. I could go with a 2 inch Tuff Country front with a 2 inch Eaton in the rear. The zero rate blocks could be used for leveling if needed.

http://www.eatonsprings.com/73-87chevroletk20.html
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[Rubble]

K30 springs are 4" longer than the K20, so that won't work unless you want to move the rear hanger back. At least this is the case between any of my 3/4 tons and my K35 crew.Tried to use a new set of 1 ton springs on my 82 K25 last fall & found the same thing too.
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[blakeduren]

3/4 ton trucks had both the 52 inch and the 56 inch leafs. Measure eye to eye to determine which length of springs you have in the rear.

[Pano]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

3/4 ton trucks had both the 52 inch and the 56 inch leafs. Measure eye to eye to determine which length of springs you have in the rear.

I have the 56 inch and 8 leafs.
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[Rubble]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

3/4 ton trucks had both the 52 inch and the 56 inch leafs. Measure eye to eye to determine which length of springs you have in the rear.

Was there any specific year that had the 56" springs? Or was it just however the truck was ordered. My 80 K20,82K25,& both 86s are all 52" springs.
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[Pano]

Originally Posted by Rubble

Was there any specific year that had the 56" springs? Or was it just however the truck was ordered. My 80 K20,82K25,& both 86s are all 52" springs.
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Check this link.

http://www.eatonsprings.com/73-87chevroletk20.html

It shows the 80, 82 and 86's with either 52 inch or 56 inch depending on how many leafs. The heavier leaf packs are the 56 inch.
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[hartbraker]

If you aren't concerned about ride quality. Take you springs out, take them to any reputable spring/axle shop and have them put in a couple leafs in the rear and 1 in front. Then do your 1 inch ORD lift.

Or... you can order your lift springs and add leafs to them, whatever your heart desires.

Adding leafs will be much cheaper than buying lift springs (if money is a factor).

[Pano]

Originally Posted by hartbraker

If you aren't concerned about ride quality. Take you springs out, take them to any reputable spring/axle shop and have them put in a couple leafs in the rear and 1 in front. Then do your 1 inch ORD lift.

Or... you can order your lift springs and add leafs to them, whatever your heart desires.

Adding leafs will be much cheaper than buying lift springs (if money is a factor).

When loaded my passenger side rear hangs about an inch and a half lower. I am ok with replacing both to get them equal again.

I have had the truck since 97 and it looks like a PO had a gooseneck on the truck. There is a steel plate welded cross the frame above the rear axil with a hole in the center. I figure the leafs have done there share of work and new ones are in order.
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