Q: Did 1 ton trucks after 1987 ever have 10 leaf springs?

[2badgn]

My dad has a 1984 GMC Sierra 3500 2wd 1 ton Pickup Truck.
The rear suspension has 9 leaf springs + 1 helper spring.

I just recently noticed other trucks- 1988 and newer and it seems that most 1 ton Pickups only have 6 rear leaf springs. What gives?

Its funny - About a year ago, my nephew used the my dad's 84 Pickup to pick up some heavy floor tiles 2 hours away. The guy that worked at the tile place said that he never saw a Pickup Truck hold that much weight without the rear springs dropping down all the way!

My brother-in-law has a 2000 Ford 350 4x4 w/dual wheels and he told me that my dad's 84 GMC is stronger than his Ford.

Please explain this.