What to do with my rear suspension ?

[Pyrotechnic]

This weekend while I was swapping rear ends on my 77 I decided to remove some leafs from the HD rear springs since I thought the 8 leafs on each side were a little excessive.

I took out 4 from each side. This gave me a pretty nice drop, which I wasn't exactly planning on though I'm starting to like. I'm worried now that I don't have enough spring rate though. I've got Monroe Magnum shocks so the rear is behaving itself but I have the feeling that if I put a load in the back, I'll be riding on the bump stops. It does ride like a Cadillac though.

I need help in deciding my next steps. I've thought of a few options.

a) Add a simple helper bag setup with schrader valves.

b) Add a leaf or two back in

First I need to know, Do I have enough clearance between the axle and the bump stop?



Here is the current leaf springs pack:



This is the truck before:



And after:



Let me know what you guys think.

[benoit454]

Well from the looks of it you have just as much bump stop to axle clearance and just as many leafs as our stock 84 1/2 c10 has.

I don't see where it wouldn't be ok but then again it dropped the truck down, maybe it has heavy duty front springs also. The 84 we have sits like yours did before, back higher then the front but it's stock. it has the same clearance as you do now though I'm pretty sure.

Nice looking truck by the way.

If I were you I'd throw all the weight in back that you can and see if she gets alot lower. Just however much you've hauled before or ever plan to haul, that much or a little more.

If you like the look of it, I'd leave it alone and get some helper air bags to throw in there, or air shocks. That way if you do haul something just fill them up and you'll not have to worry much about botoming out your suspension travel.

[N2TRUX]

I think you should drive it and see what it feels like. We can make suggestions all day long, but without knowing how soft the rear is it won't help much.

I have used the helper bags in the past and they work great. Much better than air shocks.

[slugish]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I think you should drive it and see what it feels like. We can make suggestions all day long, but without knowing how soft the rear is it won't help much.

I have used the helper bags in the past and they work great. Much better than air shocks.

What helper bags do you have . Im considering the same option for mine.
Ive seen some from firestone in summitt etc.

[Pyrotechnic]

It rides fine but I think thats mostly the shocks doing their job. If I get on the bumper and jump up and down, it feels pretty spongy, which tells me that if I put any kind of load in the back then i'm gonna be in trouble.

While these springs are probably the perfect candidate for helper bags right now, I think the cheapest method is to add 2 leafs back into each side.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by slugish

What helper bags do you have . Im considering the same option for mine. Ive seen some from firestone in summitt etc.

I had them on a 95 and a 97 Chevy truck. Summit racing is hard to beat.

[bell]

I removed two leaves on my '82 Blazer and added a set of air shocks, in case I need to haul something. Air shocks are rated at adding 1500 lbs. of capacity..... PLUS, they were about $35 on ebay. It seems to work very well, so far.