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Old 04-13-2007, 06:48 PM   #1
69GMCLonghorn
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Bouncy Longhorn!

I have a 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn with rear leaf springs. Does anyone (Longhorn Man?) know if it is possible to replace those springs with a set that will ride better when the truck is empty? I don't want to lose the total loading capability. This is a tough truck and I do load it, but only occasionally. Right now, it is brutal on the bumps!! Either that or I'm just going to throw some sand bags out around the tailgate...
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Old 04-13-2007, 06:52 PM   #2
GREASEMONKEY72
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Re: Bouncy Longhorn!

in order to make the ride better you would need softer springs which would lower the load capacity, you can put softer springs with some bags and have the better ride and keep the load capacity, or just like you said throw some sand bags in there
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Old 04-13-2007, 07:02 PM   #3
crazy longhorn
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Re: Bouncy Longhorn!

2nd that, air over leaf should give you the best of both ..... L
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Old 04-13-2007, 09:05 PM   #4
stllookn
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Re: Bouncy Longhorn!

The owner of my Longhorn had the dealer pull about three of the leafs out of the back and then pulled the sway bar off the front of the truck to make ride softer. I got those NEW parts from him when I bought the truck. The sway bar is back in the truck but the leafs are still on the shelf. I am glad he never laoded it heavily enough to need them but you are correct in thinking you may need that capacity. If you remove enough to make it ride nice it will sag a bit when you get a real load on it. Pull some leafs and add bag an air bag system for when you really need the capacity.
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Old 04-13-2007, 09:38 PM   #5
WorkinLonghorn
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Re: Bouncy Longhorn!

How many leafs do you have on that? I've got the 3/4 version and with new shocks and the tires deflated to 35 or so I have a pretty good ride,stiff but bearable.I suppose you must have a heavier capacity set. Mine has one real thick leaf and 5 thinner ones and I can put 5000 lbs.in the bed and the rubber bumper thing still has some travel between it and the axle tube.
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Old 04-13-2007, 10:21 PM   #6
mtdave2
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Re: Bouncy Longhorn!

mine is rough too, even more so when the tires are full of air. but, when im not going to haul anything i let a bunch of air out and it rides soooooooooo much better!
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Old 04-13-2007, 11:10 PM   #7
WorkinLonghorn
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Re: Bouncy Longhorn!

Quote:
i let a bunch of air out and it rides soooooooooo much better!
Yeah,that's right and you also have better traction too. Then when I have a huge load of sod or a bed of sand etc. I pump them up to 80 psi.
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