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#1 |
SIX BANGER
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 169
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how many leafs to take out
on my 79 heavy half it got 7 leafs springs. how many to take out and maybe get it leavel
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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2597018(NN) 1979 chevy truck swb 454 w turbo400 with buckets 1977 chevy truck swb soon to be 454 1976 chevy dually 454 1969 chevy truck six shooter |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW Area Texas
Posts: 436
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Actually I think you would be much better off purchasing a set of normal 1/2 ton rear springs from a yard and keeping the others for futue restoration if you ever wanted to restore truck back to original.
Plus it would be a heck of alot easier in my book to just swap springs. Regards |
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#3 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Level it
![]() I actually did the reverse swap on my '86 (see my sig). I took the rear end - springs, diff, axles and all - from my old '77 "heavy half" and put them on my '86. The heavier springs are 6" (I think) longer from eye to eye, meaning you would have to relocate your rear hangers 6" forward. There should be holes already in the frame for this. Removing the hangers (originally rivetted on at the factory) is a bit of a pain, but nothing that a grinder and cold chisel (air is good) can't handle. Also, the distance from the front hanger to the axle is the same in either case, so your axle set-up stays the same. But, as for your original question - I've never tried to take my springs apart, but it can obviously be done. Depending on the amount of corrosion, you may well need to cut the hardware (u-bolts, spring "clamps", etc) and replace it with new. Despite all this, this might be a simpler option. I would just hope that a couple of guys who have actually done the individual-leaf-removal chime in here and give you some more direction. So depending what you want to do, those are a couple of options. Have fun with it... ![]() Last edited by Zilverado; 03-13-2007 at 08:39 AM. |
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#4 |
been here longer than Liz
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Broken Arrow, OK
Posts: 2,437
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Re: how many leafs to take out
2" shackles or 1" shackles w/ 1" hangers would be better than removing leafs.
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~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin |
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#5 | |
Chevy Truck Addict
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kelowna, BC
Posts: 1,176
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Quote:
Removing leafs will affect the ride of your truck. If you want a softer ride, this will accomplish it but it may also make it too spongy, especially if you have any weight in the back.
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. 1970 Chev C/10 SWB, 355 SBC, 700R4, 3.73 Posi, Air Ride (Click to view Build Thread) (SOLD) 1978 Chevy C/10 SWB 1970 Pontiac Lemans . |
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#6 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Low87 and C10-Driver are bang-on, I got too carried away with my own spring swapping experience and actually forgot about the shackle option... If you can get these in the amount of drop you want, that would be the easiest.
Just another example of more heads being better than one... |
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#7 |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Re: how many leafs to take out
I agree with the shackles! The only thing to be careful of, depending on what shackles you go with, notching the bed cross sills may be required.
I would not replace the hangers...what a PITA, especially with the bed on!!
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Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ar
Posts: 558
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Re: how many leafs to take out
So do you guys think 2in. shackles will level the truck out? I'm cool with doing the shackles, but I think the hangers would be a huge PITA. I don't own a grinder or chisel. I'm thinking of buying a elec. grinder, though. WE SHOULD DO A THREAD ON HANGER REMOVAL!!!
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#9 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Quote:
If anything, err on the side of leaving the rear slightly higher than the front. That just looks a little more normal, and if you ever carry any weigth (especially with softer 1/2 ton springs) the truck won't immediately look over-loaded. |
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#10 |
Until Seventy Times Seven
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range
Posts: 1,301
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Re: how many leafs to take out
I agree with Zilverado's approach on first measuring to determine the amount needed to lower the rear. But, I would take the measurements (wheel centerline) at the bodyline instead of the fender lips. (The front fender lips are raised 2" higher than the rear fender lips.) Once you have these measurements, you'll know the height difference between the front and rear. If you go with just shackles, you'll end up with half the drop for a given shackle size. As the others said, if you're not too concerned with maintaining your heavy-half capacity, you can remove 2 to 3 leafs depending on the drop you need.
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boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin... |
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#11 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Quote:
![]() I just took another look at a photo of my truck and it appears that you are correct. The body line (crease) is definitely a better benchmark. |
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#12 |
SIX BANGER
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 169
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Re: how many leafs to take out
i am not too concerned with maintaining my heavy-half capacity, it will not carry more then a few chairs. and trophy's and a cola cooler. i just want it to be leavel. i am not in to the rake look. thanks and for cutting the bed crosses i wont. i will get new springs if i have to thanks
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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2597018(NN) 1979 chevy truck swb 454 w turbo400 with buckets 1977 chevy truck swb soon to be 454 1976 chevy dually 454 1969 chevy truck six shooter |
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#13 |
Until Seventy Times Seven
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range
Posts: 1,301
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Just for reference, the '83 with a 'heavy duty' suspension has five-leaf pack which includes the overload leaf spring. Removing the overload leaf spring would yield 'about a 3/4" drop.
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boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin... |
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#14 |
Mad Scientist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Enola Arkansas
Posts: 380
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Try like the third spring first. You want to leave the top (one with eyes) and the second for sure. Measure first. Use a large c-clamp on each side before unbolting u-bolts. Then take nut of spring pin. Losen c-clamp
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#15 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Re: how many leafs to take out
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#16 |
SIX BANGER
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 169
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Re: how many leafs to take out
Hiway is your a heavy half
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http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2597018(NN) 1979 chevy truck swb 454 w turbo400 with buckets 1977 chevy truck swb soon to be 454 1976 chevy dually 454 1969 chevy truck six shooter |
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