Ride quality K-trucks 1/2 vs 3/4 ... again.

[CG]

So when searching for springs on line I'm finding the same spring part numbers listed for use on 1/2 and 3/4 tons. When I see on the board that people say the ride is harsher on 3/4 tons I'm wondering how is an 8 lug axel more harsh? I must be doing something wrong in my searches or my thinking =)

[mongocanfly]

Pretty sure the springs are the same..but there's a huge difference in load ratings...and a little in length

[rpmerf]

According to Rock Auto, they are different spring rates. Both are for a 1970 pickup with a 350.

C10: 2406 lb
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...029833&jsn=553

C20: 2600lb
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...031690&jsn=590

I thought I had seen threads verifying the same thing. Threads about putting half ton springs on a 3/4 ton truck.

[Stocker]

I put 2 1/2" Softrides up front many years ago and they were the same listing for K10 as K20. Pretty sure factory springs were different though, and you could also get different OEM springs on your K20 (probably on a K10 too) depending on your option package. Maybe what you are noticing is common (shared) applications for aftermarket springs.

An 8-lug axle can't change the ride other than as a result of its additional unsprung weight, which also makes the shocks work harder.

[sweetk30]

front springs stock for the most part are 2 or 3 leaf .

rear springs = length and leaf count in the pack and thickness of the leafs .

if talking 73-87 style trucks there can be both 52" for 1/2 ton and light duty 3/4 ton and full on 3/4 ton stuff gets 56" long leafs .

if your never going to haul any real massive weight all the time get the softer stuff for better ride . and then add in something like timbren bump stops or air bags for when you do load it up .

i setup my k30 trucks with the lightest rear 56" spring packs for the best ride . but then 1 truck has timbren bump stops and the other has air bags . got a deal on each is why 2 different setups . both work great no problems . the truck i drive the most has the timbrens so i just use it and dont forget the air bags need filled is all .

and on the 52" to 56" difference its +4" on the back side only . you can bolt in the 52" springs on a frame that was set for 56" by just popping the rivets and moving the hanger up 1 set of holes and use some 7/16 bolts and crimp nuts and bolt in in place to now hold the 52" springs . or if you want more capacity you can go 56" were 52" was by moving it back 4" .

[HO455]

Another reason 3/4 tons ride harsher is they have different frame stiffeners than half tons. Thus the frame is more resistant to twisting. Each step in the GV weight classes of our trucks means different combinations of stiffeners on the frame. Check out the 67 factory manual at the GM heritage site.

[sweetk30]

then my k30 should ride like a cement block with this gooseneck hitch in the back end then . . . . but it dosnt .

a lot of ride problems is the brand of leaf springs people pic for there trucks and the most important ride problem to this day is the shocks you pic to install on them . same truck just swap shock brands new for new and road test them you will find there is huge differences .

[rowdy11]

Sweetk, what do you think is the best leaf spring and shock make for a comfortable ride? I buy your thinking, and it's a matter of knowing which one to go after.

I've heard really good stuff about EZ Ride and Nitro Gas shocks...going to move this direction myself soon.

[sweetk30]

off the shelf lift kit is tuff country / bds / sky jacker soft ride . 1st 2 being a toss up and bds prob a hair better .

if you have a big block or huge winch bumper or snow plow go tuff country HD option for less sag they still ride great tho . i run 3" hd front cause of my fisher snow plow .

bilstien is the hot ticket right now for ride quality of shocks .

if you want a 1 stop shop and done call these guys up . they have been specializing in leaf spring gm trucks for YEARS now . www.offroaddesign.com . they do tuff country or custom built leaf packs . they do bilstien shocks also as a upgrade . and have lots of other specific goody's to beef up these trucks .

i have both tuff country in 3" hd front and bds 8" front and 4" rear . so i am not just making random suggestions . my friends k30 we took out rough country and swapped in tuff country and he said he should have done that years ago it rode so much better . if i am doing new rear at stock height i like triangle spring brand and do 22-547 56" rears on my k30's to ride nice and still work good . then if i am working it i have timbrens on 1 and firestone air bags on the other .

[jeffahart]

I'm going to be trying out the tuff countrys. I put in the 4" Sky Jacker soft rides in front and complained about them bing too spongy for me. Then I installed a 120lb winch and the load seemed to calm down the sponge. I don't mind them as much now. But I will be swapping them out.


j

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

off the shelf lift kit is tuff country / bds / sky jacker soft ride . 1st 2 being a toss up and bds prob a hair better .

if you have a big block or huge winch bumper or snow plow go tuff country HD option for less sag they still ride great tho . i run 3" hd front cause of my fisher snow plow .

bilstien is the hot ticket right now for ride quality of shocks .

if you want a 1 stop shop and done call these guys up . they have been specializing in leaf spring gm trucks for YEARS now . www.offroaddesign.com . they do tuff country or custom built leaf packs . they do bilstien shocks also as a upgrade . and have lots of other specific goody's to beef up these trucks .

i have both tuff country in 3" hd front and bds 8" front and 4" rear . so i am not just making random suggestions . my friends k30 we took out rough country and swapped in tuff country and he said he should have done that years ago it rode so much better . if i am doing new rear at stock height i like triangle spring brand and do 22-547 56" rears on my k30's to ride nice and still work good . then if i am working it i have timbrens on 1 and firestone air bags on the other .

I put Timbren bump stops on the front of one of my dodges(stock height coils). It was going to be a temporary solution to the added weight of a winch and heavy brush guard. But the bump stops worked so well I left it that way. They did a nice job going up driveways and approaches with no cargo or trailer weight.


j

[sweetk30]

i have not had 1 customer say i dont like timbren bump stops or firestone air bags . . . they just work good .