3/4 ton Rear Springs on a 1/2 ton

[68 Suburban]

I am going to be changing the rear springs in my burb. I want to get the firmer ride of the 3/4 springs. How much higher should I expect my burb to sit in the rear over the stock springs?

Also, if the truck will sit higher, do they make a dropped 3/4 ton rear spring.

Also, what is the proper procedure for replacing the rear springs. I am under th impression that the rear springs are not under compression like the front springs?

Thanks

[Terry'sToy]

If your truck is rear coil,( I can't remember if burbs are leaf or not) Then the truck will sit about 1 1/2 inches higher.
Yes they make 3/4 ton drop springs for coil.
To take them off just unbolt the bottom of the shock, then unbolt the bolt going through the spring top and bottom. Jack the truck up and the spring will almost fall out.

If your truck is leaf. I just wasted your time and mine

[68 Suburban]

Originally posted by Terry'sToy
If your truck is rear coil,( I can't remember if burbs are leaf or not) Then the truck will sit about 1 1/2 inches higher.
Yes they make 3/4 ton drop springs for coil.
To take them off just unbolt the bottom of the shock, then unbolt the bolt going through the spring top and bottom. Jack the truck up and the spring will almost fall out.

If your truck is leaf. I just wasted your time and mine

Nope it is coil, thanks Where do you get 3/4 drop springs?

[CPNE]

Originally posted by Terry'sToy
If your truck is rear coil,( I can't remember if burbs are leaf or not) Then the truck will sit about 1 1/2 inches higher.

Probably more if using new springs in place of 36 year old used ones. I would think replacing your old springs with new 1/2 ton HD springs would achieve the ride results without lifting your rear as much.

[Huck]

Another thought---you can either go with your existing springs or go to HD 1/2 ton coils but install a set of factory overloads for those times you might need them. That gives you a decent ride but also give you that overlaod help when loaded down. Fact overloads can usually be bought for between $50----$100. Make sure you get the lower spring bkt that engages the overload spring.

[Longhorn Man]

Actually, the HD 1/2 ton springs are the same as the 3/4 ton if memory serves.

[1972C10]

Ive got a pair of them heavy duty rear coils off a 72 half ton if you need measurements or anything/ I changed my truck over to light duty and it stayed same hieght only difference in the spring i could tell was the coil diameter.

[Longhorn Man]

1972C10, the center coils on the light dutys are touching where the HD ones maintained the gap right?
Or did I dream this up somewhere along the line?

[1972C10]

I want to say they touch on the heavy duty ones too i have them outside pulled ill check them out tommorow and measure them .. i also have a pair of stock light duty ones Ill post up the measurements and pics

[JQ-72]

I put a set of used HD 3/4 ton springs (3,000#) on one of my 1/2 tons. They did lift it a little, not too much. Definitly improved loading capicity. I also had the factory overload leaf springs. They very, very seldom got used!! Here is a picture of the stance:

Joshua

[68 Suburban]

Originally posted by JQ-72
I put a set of used HD 3/4 ton springs (3,000#) on one of my 1/2 tons. They did lift it a little, not too much. Definitly improved loading capicity. I also had the factory overload leaf springs. They very, very seldom got used!! Here is a picture of the stance:

Joshua

Did you use the 3/4 springs in front too?

[68lwb]

I put the heavy duty springs on my half ton, nice to see JQ-72's, as I wasn't sure of the difference in height yet. Not a bad idea to loop a chain through the spring and around the frame so it doesn't accidently fly out at you is it? If your truck is from Arizona you might be luckier than I was, but I had to replace the retaining cups and the bolts also. Replaced the u-bolts on axle to, figured it might be easier to work on next time. Gotta love the effect of 35 years of salty Indiana winters!

[Huck]

If replacing the front springs, I always chain them just in case. Had a buddy who made the mistake on a 57 chev. His peanuts became coconuts and that was not a pretty scene. believe he limped for months. I limped for days just thinking about it. In fact I'm beginning to limp again at the memory and it's been 40 years!

[rolson1039]

i did the swap on my 76. i found it alot easier to do the removal on the vehicle with no bed but how i did it was the day before i sprayed the living **** outta the bolts on the chassis and the tops of the U Bolts with PB Blaster
i used air tools to bust loose the shackle bolts and the one towards the front is hard cause you need to get a wrench on the back of it. i wound up bending a knucklebuster to get one to fit ont he nut with the bed ont he truck it was 13/16 i believe or 7/8 one of the two i forget the one at the back of the chassis i was able to get the nut from underneath
once i did that i used a breaker bar with a long pipe to bust the u bolts on the springs.
I used the ubolts and spring seats from the 3/4 ton when i put it all back together and i used the shackels that were with the springs i used 3/4 ton shocks too
the only other thing to watch out for was i had to bend down the metal bracket for the brake line its a pretty easy swap out and my truck had a worn front end it made the rear sit four inches higher than the back. when spring comes here and hopefully it goes above freezing, ill get to gettin to the front end and that should make the front slightly higher too
if you have specifics you need to ask just post and ill get back to you

[Terry'sToy]

Check out www.gmcpauls.com
He's one of the sponsors of the board I believe. For $150 part #254614. It says for burbs and panels, they are available in different drops.

Or what i did was I bought a set of blocks to lower the rear and a set of 3/4 ton coils. My coils were used and raised the truck about an inch. I put in 3inch blocks so my overall finish is minus two inches. The blocks were cheap and the coils were used. The truck will handle a huge load and sit level.

Have fun
Terry