Replacement Leaf springs question

[RustMaster87]

I have a 2 wheel drive that I am installing a flip kit on and I currently do not have any leaf springs. I have been searching around but I am not sure how many leafs I should use. I do not haul anything, the truck will not be used for work. I am looking for the smoothest ride possible. If I use more leafs, will it have an effect on the amount of drop i get from the flip? Any info would be great at this point.

[bigblock73]

What did your truck come with originally? There are basically 2 different leaf spring packs, the light duty springs that are 52" long, and the heavy duty springs which are 56" long. If you don't know, you can tell by where the rear spring hangers are located on the frame. If they are in the rear mounting position (like in the pic below), then you have the HD springs, if not, then you have the LD springs. I would just buy whatever spring fits...otherwise you will be grinding off rivits and relocating your hangers. As far as ride, there isn't much difference between the two, and the drop difference (for a flip kit) won't be much as the top of the leafs springs are pretty much in a different location....the bottom is where the difference lies based on spring pack thickness.

[Eyegore]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

What did your truck come with originally? There are basically 2 different leaf spring packs, the light duty springs that are 52" long, and the heavy duty springs which are 56" long. If you don't know, you can tell by where the rear spring hangers are located on the frame. If they are in the rear mounting position (like in the pic below), then you have the HD springs, if not, then you have the LD springs. I would just buy whatever spring fits...otherwise you will be grinding off rivits and relocating your hangers. As far as ride, there isn't much difference between the two, and the drop difference (for a flip kit) won't be much as the top of the leafs springs are pretty much in a different location....the bottom is where the difference lies based on spring pack thickness.

So Jeff is that the difference between a c-10 and a 1500, the spring length? Also does the heavy duty determine the larger rotor on the front brakes?

Tom

[bigblock73]

I think C10 and 1500 are considered the same...1/2 ton. Don't the newer models go by 1500, and the older ones go by C10?

My 1/2 ton C10 has the HD leafs, or commonly referred to as 3/4 ton springs. I do not know if the rear springs and rotor thickness are tied together or if they were seperate options. I do have the thick 1.25" rotors too.

Whare are Chris (Captkaos) and Ken (Kiilew) when you need them?

[Captkaos]

I am right here... No idea where KIILew is....
There is no differences, C10 is Chevy 1/2 Ton and C1500 is GMC 1/2 Ton.

The HD option adds the longer HD springs (3/4T springs) and 1.25 Rotors.

[RustMaster87]

The truck came with the 52 inch springs, 5 leafs. I have noticed that in the catalogs they are available in 4 leafs. Would I be able to use a 4 leaf spring? The 4 leaf springs are around 100 a piece from LMC, where 5 and 6 pack springs are a fair amount more.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by RustMaster87

Would I be able to use a 4 leaf spring?

Yes you can, they will bolt right in place