What to do up front?

[thirdstreettito]

My 84 K10 has a 6.2 diesel. Lots of weight for 25yrs. The bumps stops are 3/4" - 1" above the top of the front spring pack. Can I put a zero rate add a leaf on top of the spring pack? I want to keep my ride quality, but stop hitting the bumps stops every time there is a slight bump. Can you put it on top? If not, what can I do to raise the front end?

[LONGHAIR]

This just sounds wrong?

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

I want to keep my ride quality, but stop hitting the bumps stops every time there is a slight bump.

Hitting the bump-stops is killing whatever ride quailty you should have.


On top is exactly the opposite of what you need to do.....Adding a zero-rate (which is nothing more than a bolt-in spacer block) to the top of the spring will just take up any space that you have now. you would be on the bump-stops constantly. Even adding one to the bottom of the spring pack will not solve your problem. It will have the same ride, 1 inch higher, but still the same space to the bump-stop.
You need to get more arch to the springs, whether you do that with an "add-a-leaf" a small lift spring (like 2.5") or simply replacing the stock springs with new stock springs. As long as you bang the bump-stops, you will have a bad ride.

[special-K]

Go to your local spring shop and get them arched and add a leaf.You may need new shocks.Maybe some used 3/4t springs would be cheapest way.New springs wouldn`t be a bad idea.Oh...and the cheapest thing would be take some off the bump stops.
My`72 k2500 is about on the bump stops,but they never hit.I know my shocks are shot.

[Dooley]

Here's a pick of the front springs on my old K10 plow truck. I have a 8.5' Western pro plow that weighs a lot and this extra spring added to the bottom has worked well on every truck I ever installed them on. Old and rusty, it still holds it grille up high!

[LONGHAIR]

Back when I was working on these for a living, those are the trucks I hated the most.....Plow trucks. It seems that the only thing harder on a truck than a plow was the guy driving it. LOL

[special-K]

...and salt! I`d go to the car wash,religiously,before taking the plow off and parking it.It`s that plunge into the worst of it then park it cycle that really gets them.What little salt it got heading back to it`s resting place was nothing compared to what that plow sucks into the truck.Gets all in the engine compartment,big time.That`s just what you need.A truck that`s already rusted you can just dedicate to the job.mine was dual purpose and it got old switching back and forth.besides,Maryland has such schetchy snowfall.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by special-K

Oh...and the cheapest thing would be take some off the bump stops.

you beat me to that one...

Either way you're looking at a few bills to get you there, once you add shocks, bushings and U-bolts in the mix. Does the truck sit level or is it high in the back?

[thirdstreettito]

Thanks guys. The truck sits a bit low in the front (maybe 1"), I have also been thing of getting 2" springs up front and 1 1/2" blocks in the rear to level the truck and take it away from the bump stops.

Also, my ride is great now, my bump stops are half rotted, so when it hits em you dont feel it much, unless you are off road.