question on rear suspension swap

[junkyardpartseeker]

I have a 84 1/2 ton suburban and am thinking of putting a set of 20 series rear leaf springs on my rear. I pull a lot of heavy trailers and it seems to ride too low in the rear for me.

1. What do I need to perform this?

2. Can I use my rear axle I have now, or do I also need to get the rear axle from a 20 series vehicle?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tommy Davis

[old Rusty C10]

I just did that on my 1976 i took leaves off a 20 series suburban and swapped them onto my C 10 pickup.
Its alot easier of the bed is off cause i used the shackles from the 3/4 ton springs.
what i did is i used the U bolts off the 3/4 ton truck and the metal braces they used fromt he 3/4 ton too. youll have to bend down the bar where the rubber brake line sits so it dont pull it apart and i bought new shocks for the 3/4 ton truck and used them
it rudes fine and gives ya several inches of lift in the rear

[junkyardpartseeker]

Ok, so I just need the springs and U bolts from a 3/4 ton. Not the rear axle.
And shocks rated for the 3/4 ton.
Are the end eye holes the same distance apart, or each different. I have read other posts of ppl talking about the distance.

Tommy

[rage'nrat638]

install air ride bags....they make a compressor kit too.
i have it on my truck....for hauling garage doors...
i can raise and lower while driving....add air for more load and remove air for light loads.....
they kick butt.....
the whole kit cost about 350.00....
rides like a dream

[MylilBowTie]

I think your thinking about the difference between 3/4 and 1 ton. On the 1 ton rears the spring perches are in closer to the center chunk a little. Im thinking maybe about an inch but that's just a guesstament. The 1 tons are the frames are narrower. The 3/4 tons have the same spring perch locations as the 1/2 tons.

Not to have you spend more money or anything. But would it be better to get a 3/4 rear setup? I guess this will depend on the weight of the trailers. Im guessing you have a 10 bolt rear. I was thinking if this might be a weak link for hauling or not.

Edit: I misread that question. On trucks there are two different spring lengths. One is 52in which was in a lot of 1/2 tons and 56in witch was heavier duty leafsprings that could be ordered on 1/2 tons. Im pretty sure that the 56in leafsprings are standard on 3/4 and 1 tons and optional on 1/2 tons. Suburbans might be different Im not sure.

[1FaastC10]

dang mark, you never mentioned that you bagged your truck before...