Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

19GMC63 · 11-11-2009, 02:48 PM

Title says it all. How many leafs does your 1/2 ton have?

I'm getting ready to do a rear end swap and looking at dropping the rear an inch or two. I've heard that removing the thick overload spring will give around an inch. Only problem is I don't see one thick one.
I have 8 leafs in total. The top 5 are arched and together,while the bottom 3 are straight. Are these 3 serving the same purpose? Could I remove a couple (or all 3) of these? I'm not worried about hauling anything heavy. I already have a 2" shackle kit, but the rear still sits way too high, almost like it has 3/4 ton leaf packs in it or something.

Some pics to show what I'm trying to explain.

Rusteeze64GB · 11-11-2009, 04:08 PM

I need the answer to this one too.

70 Suburban · 11-11-2009, 04:31 PM

I took off the bottom 3.. But its more that an inch drop... You can use shackles

1stseries55 · 11-11-2009, 04:47 PM

this was my truck w/ the bottom 3 removed:

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Vernski · 11-11-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusteeze64GB

I need the answer to this one too.

My truck was sitting 2 1/8" higher on the left side so I decided to take them to spring works in Spokane WA. I wasn't sure if it was a weak spring on one side or not, but turned out to be both. The PO put the extra leaf in trying to level it up but that was overkill and may have never measured it.
Anyway I wanted it lowered 4" so they took out 3 leaves on each side plus the extra spring the PO put in. Now it sits level within a 32nd" so I called it good. I have some longer shackles that I could bring it down 2 more "s. Pic's should tell their own story, but if you have any questions or need more info let me know.---Vernski

19GMC63 · 11-11-2009, 05:51 PM

Excellent! That's exactly the answers I was looking for. Thanks guys.

Jared, that stance is perfect.... that's exactly how I want mine to sit.

Vernski, after looking at your pics, I just noticed something different about my rear end. It looks like the PO used different U-bolts, cradling the axle tube with round U bolts instead of cradling the leaf springs with square u-bolts like on yours.

Rusteeze64GB · 11-11-2009, 06:28 PM

Thank you.. Perfect

Vernski · 11-11-2009, 08:21 PM

Vernski, after looking at your pics, I just noticed something different about my rear end. It looks like the PO used different U-bolts, cradling the axle tube with round U bolts instead of cradling the leaf springs with square u-bolts like on yours. 19GMC63

[/QUOTE]

That is odd about the U bolts, but then GMC did allot of different things over the years. My truck is a 65 custom LWB so there must have been minor changes or a handy parts bin available. Do any of you leaf spring guys have the Dana 44 third member? Just curious Thanx---Vernski

4dranch · 11-12-2009, 09:06 AM

I had 8 and removed 3 also.

1Bad62Pro/Street · 11-12-2009, 04:15 PM

Just a few.....But she aint stock!

19GMC63 · 11-13-2009, 02:36 PM

specs?

11-11-2009, 02:48 PM	#1
19GMC63 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,510	Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? Title says it all. How many leafs does your 1/2 ton have? I'm getting ready to do a rear end swap and looking at dropping the rear an inch or two. I've heard that removing the thick overload spring will give around an inch. Only problem is I don't see one thick one. I have 8 leafs in total. The top 5 are arched and together,while the bottom 3 are straight. Are these 3 serving the same purpose? Could I remove a couple (or all 3) of these? I'm not worried about hauling anything heavy. I already have a 2" shackle kit, but the rear still sits way too high, almost like it has 3/4 ton leaf packs in it or something. Some pics to show what I'm trying to explain. Last edited by 19GMC63; 11-11-2009 at 02:48 PM.

11-11-2009, 04:08 PM	#2
Rusteeze64GB Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ. Posts: 67	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? I need the answer to this one too.

11-11-2009, 04:31 PM	#3
70 Suburban Rods Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 1,398	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? I took off the bottom 3.. But its more that an inch drop... You can use shackles __________________ Just keepin it simple. 1965 C-10 Ext cab build. 350??(Does it count at 2 truck if I had to cut one up?) 1966 C-10 lwb 283 auto 1970 Suburban in pieces 1971 Blazer 4wd....restore someday. all factory CST 1972 Blazer 4wd parts truck still a roller 1972 GMC Sierra Grandee 1998 Chevy ext driver. 2005 F**D the wife drive...(cant fix women)

11-11-2009, 04:47 PM	#4
1stseries55 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsboro, NC Posts: 130	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? this was my truck w/ the bottom 3 removed: __________________ Jared USMC 1st Battalion 8th Marines (95-99) 55 1st Series 3100 (on 98 sonoma frame) 65 GMC short bed fleetside big back window http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358493

11-11-2009, 05:51 PM	#6
19GMC63 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,510	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? Excellent! That's exactly the answers I was looking for. Thanks guys. Jared, that stance is perfect.... that's exactly how I want mine to sit. Vernski, after looking at your pics, I just noticed something different about my rear end. It looks like the PO used different U-bolts, cradling the axle tube with round U bolts instead of cradling the leaf springs with square u-bolts like on yours.

11-11-2009, 06:28 PM	#7
Rusteeze64GB Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ. Posts: 67	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? Thank you.. Perfect

11-11-2009, 08:21 PM	#8
Vernski Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rathdrum, Idaho Posts: 1,135	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? Vernski, after looking at your pics, I just noticed something different about my rear end. It looks like the PO used different U-bolts, cradling the axle tube with round U bolts instead of cradling the leaf springs with square u-bolts like on yours. 19GMC63[/QUOTE] That is odd about the U bolts, but then GMC did allot of different things over the years. My truck is a 65 custom LWB so there must have been minor changes or a handy parts bin available. Do any of you leaf spring guys have the Dana 44 third member? Just curious Thanx---Vernski

11-12-2009, 09:06 AM	#9
4dranch Shloooooong bed member #2 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Millington Tn. Posts: 1,864	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? I had 8 and removed 3 also. Attached Images __________________ *David,* Daughters 66 truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=484601 Learning to drive a 3 on the tree: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcCMvRgBo1Q

11-12-2009, 04:15 PM	#10
1Bad62Pro/Street "Where were you in '62?" Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cleveland County, North Cackalacky Posts: 5,013	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? Just a few.....But she aint stock! __________________ PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET" 1962 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed Nostalgia Pro/Street Pickup Truck PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET Build Thread What Are You Workin' On? - 1Bad62ChevyPickup PROJECT: "TYRANNORAMBLER REX" 1969 AMC Rambler American Nostalgia Pro/Street Youtube Channel: Father Son Projects Youtube Channel: 2TIMOTHY2FITHTEEN "North and South Carolina Folks Click Here!" (((( ~ I have Parts For Sale & Miscellaneous Stuff ~ )))) "Well being as there's no other place around the place, I reckon this must be the place, I reckon...Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk" -Curly Howard Ph.D.

11-13-2009, 02:36 PM	#11
19GMC63 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,510	Re: Guys with leaf springs... how many leafs? specs?

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