I need leaf spring help

[pilotj]

I was gonna post this in the suspension forum, but it looks like all thats talked about in there anymore is bagging and lowering. I need to know which leaves to remove for a smoother ride! My old spring pack had 8 leaves plus the thick overload and my new spring pack has 9 plus the overload. My old set had 3 broken on one side and 2 leaves broken on the other side (both main springs were broken at the center bolt hole). I only found it when I went to replace the bushings. I got a really good deal on the 9 leaf spring pack, but after a being beat to death for the past year, I can't take it any more. Two of the springs have got to go!! I still haul some wood and cars occasionally with it so I don't want to remove the wrong leaves. I just want a smoother ride. A local spring guy said the 2nd from the top and the 4th. Is that right? (he seemed kind of confused at the time). Its a '79 C20. Pic' are of the old and new set. Thanks

[Green77c10]

I called a local spring shop. they told me which ones and also told me if you invert the bottom leaf that makes a big difference as well.

[Square84]

Originally Posted by Green77c10

I called a local spring shop. they told me which ones and also told me if you invert the bottom leaf that makes a big difference as well.

what kinda difference does it make the ride softer or firmer?

[Green77c10]

I guess which leafs you take out affects the general performance of the spring, so it might affect load carrying and the smoothness of the ride. The shop did tell me to take specific ones out to get the best results for what I was looking for. The info was free, I just told them what the springs were for and how many leafs were on it and they told me which ones, about a 5 minute phone call.

[Duro5341]

Personally I would go and get the proper spring pack.....just get a 1/2 ton set with 3 and 1 overload. This will soften the ride, and you can still carry 1000lbs legally. As soon as you start modifying spring packs you are asking for a hole heep of problems. These springs are designed to work in a pack. i would start from the bottom and work your way up....leaving the overload. This is what is done in the factory spring packs....

Duro

[Pyrotechnic]

One issue with removing leafs if that if you start out with two spring packs that are equal and you remove identical leafs on each one, your end result may not be equal. It just depends on the leaf packs. Sometimes you get lucky and they turn out equal for the most part. Sometimes you end up with your truck leaning to one side. Kind of a gamble.

[Square84]

Originally Posted by Green77c10

I guess which leafs you take out affects the general performance of the spring, so it might affect load carrying and the smoothness of the ride. The shop did tell me to take specific ones out to get the best results for what I was looking for. The info was free, I just told them what the springs were for and how many leafs were on it and they told me which ones, about a 5 minute phone call.

no sorry i mean what diff does inverting the overload make?

[pilotj]

Geen77c10, I was wondering what inverting the overload spring would do also. And you didn't say what spring leaves he told you to take out or the info he gave you. I'm asking here because I've gotten different answers from my spring shops around here. I was hopeing to find someone on this board that has removed them for the ride. I saw a post on here a while back about it but have searched for it and can't be found. Thanks to everyone for helping me out. It's a lot of work to do it it by trial and error, but it might be my best shot.

[Green77c10]

as you can see if you look at the overload, it has a very subtle curve, not much though. The shop also told me that it is not only an overload, but it is also designed to help control the spring and keep the leafs in line as well, i think they actually called it a control spring. What exactly they said I dont remember. anyway, they said that with it inverted, you are basically making it so that it takes more weight in the bed of the truck to compress the spring pack enough to where the overload comes into effect. I actually decided to let them do it for me, so i brought just the springs down to them. They unpacked, removed leafs, repacked, and made me a full new set of u bolts for $100, and only took them about an hour. The end result is a much smoother right (because of the no overload), but a spring that still performs as well as stock configuration. It was an 8 pack that was on my half ton, and 2 were removed and it actually lowered the rearend almost 2 inches, and it drives amazing for still having 6 leafs.


Thats just my story on the subject.

[Green77c10]

On my springs they took out the third and fifth leaf, out of the original 8.

[Square84]

so they did remove the overload and it dropped it?

[Green77c10]

all they did was flip it over

[Square84]

ok thanks

[pilotj]

On my springs they took out the third and fifth leaf, out of the original 8.

Is that the third and fifth leaf from the top? Thanks for all the great info.

[Green77c10]

yea, from the top. no prob! hope it helps. might be a bit different on that bigger spring pack, hope it gives some idea though