how many leafs to take out

[bowtiehotrodder]

on my 79 heavy half it got 7 leafs springs. how many to take out and maybe get it leavel

[Staceydude]

Actually I think you would be much better off purchasing a set of normal 1/2 ton rear springs from a yard and keeping the others for futue restoration if you ever wanted to restore truck back to original.

Plus it would be a heck of alot easier in my book to just swap springs.

Regards

[Zilverado]

Level it - - why not just raise the front???

I actually did the reverse swap on my '86 (see my sig). I took the rear end - springs, diff, axles and all - from my old '77 "heavy half" and put them on my '86.

The heavier springs are 6" (I think) longer from eye to eye, meaning you would have to relocate your rear hangers 6" forward. There should be holes already in the frame for this. Removing the hangers (originally rivetted on at the factory) is a bit of a pain, but nothing that a grinder and cold chisel (air is good) can't handle. Also, the distance from the front hanger to the axle is the same in either case, so your axle set-up stays the same.

But, as for your original question - I've never tried to take my springs apart, but it can obviously be done. Depending on the amount of corrosion, you may well need to cut the hardware (u-bolts, spring "clamps", etc) and replace it with new. Despite all this, this might be a simpler option. I would just hope that a couple of guys who have actually done the individual-leaf-removal chime in here and give you some more direction.

So depending what you want to do, those are a couple of options.

Have fun with it...

[Low87]

2" shackles or 1" shackles w/ 1" hangers would be better than removing leafs.

[C10-Driver]

Originally Posted by Low87

2" shackles or 1" shackles w/ 1" hangers would be better than removing leafs.

A lot easier too... Unbolt the stock shackle, remove, install new drop shackle and you're done.

Removing leafs will affect the ride of your truck. If you want a softer ride, this will accomplish it but it may also make it too spongy, especially if you have any weight in the back.

[Zilverado]

Low87 and C10-Driver are bang-on, I got too carried away with my own spring swapping experience and actually forgot about the shackle option... If you can get these in the amount of drop you want, that would be the easiest.

Just another example of more heads being better than one...

[bigblock73]

I agree with the shackles! The only thing to be careful of, depending on what shackles you go with, notching the bed cross sills may be required.

I would not replace the hangers...what a PITA, especially with the bed on!!

[84slopwaggin]

So do you guys think 2in. shackles will level the truck out? I'm cool with doing the shackles, but I think the hangers would be a huge PITA. I don't own a grinder or chisel. I'm thinking of buying a elec. grinder, though. WE SHOULD DO A THREAD ON HANGER REMOVAL!!!

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by 84slopwaggin

So do you guys think 2in. shackles will level the truck out?

That should be an easy one to check - what's the difference between the front and the back - measure the distance from the ground to the top of the wheel wells. Just make sure your tires are properly inflated and everything else is "normal" (i.e. no additional weight in the bed, etc.). Once you know the difference in height, that should give you the amount of drop you need.

If anything, err on the side of leaving the rear slightly higher than the front. That just looks a little more normal, and if you ever carry any weigth (especially with softer 1/2 ton springs) the truck won't immediately look over-loaded.

[boxrodz]

I agree with Zilverado's approach on first measuring to determine the amount needed to lower the rear. But, I would take the measurements (wheel centerline) at the bodyline instead of the fender lips. (The front fender lips are raised 2" higher than the rear fender lips.) Once you have these measurements, you'll know the height difference between the front and rear. If you go with just shackles, you'll end up with half the drop for a given shackle size. As the others said, if you're not too concerned with maintaining your heavy-half capacity, you can remove 2 to 3 leafs depending on the drop you need.

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by boxrodz

...But, I would take the measurements (wheel centerline) at the bodyline instead of the fender lips. (The front fender lips are raised 2" higher than the rear fender lips.)...

Good point! My bad for sure.

I just took another look at a photo of my truck and it appears that you are correct. The body line (crease) is definitely a better benchmark.

[bowtiehotrodder]

i am not too concerned with maintaining my heavy-half capacity, it will not carry more then a few chairs. and trophy's and a cola cooler. i just want it to be leavel. i am not in to the rake look. thanks and for cutting the bed crosses i wont. i will get new springs if i have to thanks

[boxrodz]

Just for reference, the '83 with a 'heavy duty' suspension has five-leaf pack which includes the overload leaf spring. Removing the overload leaf spring would yield 'about a 3/4" drop.

[hiway]

Try like the third spring first. You want to leave the top (one with eyes) and the second for sure. Measure first. Use a large c-clamp on each side before unbolting u-bolts. Then take nut of spring pin. Losen c-clamp

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by hiway

...You want to leave the top (one with eyes)...

Unless you want to REALLY drop the truck...(sorry, just had to).

[bowtiehotrodder]

Hiway is your a heavy half