Calling all leaf spring guru's

[JQE80]

Ok I found a junkyard that had some leaf springs for my new frame that were 52" like I needed but I was only able to find the 4 leaf version. My dilema is that my truck that was totaled is a big 10 so I loved the HD suspension on it. The truck has 56" springs on it and I want to know if I can use some of the shorter springs from the HD pack on my 52" springs for the new truck? I know this sounds confusing but the back story is that I had 79 Big 10 long bed and that got totaled so I am switching what I can over to a short bed frame.

[f.monroe]

Are your old leaf springs still good . If so , move the rear leaf spring perches to the rear set of holes and they will accept the 56" springs . I think all frames have both sets of mounting holes .
Frank

[JQE80]

No the driver side rear of the truck got blasted and it snapped 3 of the leafs in the middle of the pack. I just want to be able to have a strong suspension like I used to.

[JQE80]

Anyone have a thought on this?

[COMP]

Originally Posted by JQE80

Anyone have a thought on this?

ya,,but i don't explian things well,,,....................if you mix springs you need to mix evenly,,,,,,,,,,main springs need to be the same, build ,even,, over load (flat) same .........thats the basic info i can tell you

[GMBowtie79]

Originally Posted by f.monroe

Are your old leaf springs still good . If so , move the rear leaf spring perches to the rear set of holes and they will accept the 56" springs . I think all frames have both sets of mounting holes .
Frank

If you move the spring hanger in the rear for the longer spring will it change the location of the axle? Or are the center locating bolts farther forward as well to keep the wheel centered in the wheel well.

[89 crew]

The things you have to watch out for when doing springs are the center bolt size, the width of the leaf, and the length.

The center bolt is a different size depending on if the leafs were made for 1/2 3/4 or 1 ton, Make sure before you start.

next comes the width. You can't mix and match. Once again make sure before you start.

finally comes the length. Never let 2 leafs end at the same point. You can mix and match leafs between stacks as long as you do it evenly per side. You can't put a 40" leaf on one side and a 41" on the other.

If you have more questions let me know.

[Pyrotechnic]

Best I can suggest is keep looking for the heavy duty springs. I believe these are the same springs that came on 3/4 ton trucks too. After having driven both, I prefer the longer springs. Mine had 8 leafs and I removed the huge helper spring and a regular spring to soften it up slightly and the ride is awesome.

[Captkaos]

The centering bolt is in the same location. All trucks should have the holes, If you get the HD springs and move them back everything will be fine.

I wouldn't be switching pieces from one set to another, you can really screw up the ride if you mix them wrong. Any 3/4T truck will have the springs you need, or any HD 1/2T truck.

[79gmcsierragrande]

You can mix and match and then tack them to a spring shop and have them resprung. I’m going to have mine done soon I think he said it would be like $30 or so, so not too expensive.

[COMP]

Originally Posted by 79gmcsierragrande

You can mix and match and then tack them to a spring shop and have them resprung. I’m going to have mine done soon I think he said it would be like $30 or so, so not too expensive.

my buddy has a spring shop 30 bucks will get center bolts and bands put on

[79gmcsierragrande]

Oh, maybe he's cutting me a deal cuz we do a lot of work for them. I just figured that's what it ran.

[COMP]

Originally Posted by 79gmcsierragrande

Oh, maybe he's cutting me a deal cuz we do a lot of work for them. I just figured that's what it ran.

cool ,,take the deal