How do I make the rear leafs softer? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mtm_seven · 08-03-2009, 07:19 PM

Hey gang,

I have a little 4x4 project that started as a dually and now has single rears and no bed - as you can imagine, it beats you to death offroad with the stiff rear springs and no weight. (running 15 and 12 psi in the tires)

Question, how can I keep the same ride height but make the rear springs softer? - What part of the packs should I remove and how big of a block should I plan for? Or is there another option like swapping some front leaves to the rear? I have a plasma and a mig; not afraid to use them

Uglee huh?

DirtyLarry · 08-03-2009, 08:20 PM

Put the bed back on it and load it down with about 1,500 lbs of watermellons!

Actually, the best method I found to make these ride better is do a rear spring shackle flip. It is amazing the ride difference with the flip which I was not expecting or looking for, the smoother ride was a secondary bonus.

ORD has one of the better shackle flip kits IMHO. http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm

After adding 52" rear springs and longer shackles. Really rides nice now, flexy too.

mtm_seven · 08-05-2009, 11:56 PM

Hmmm, good point - I could do this and remove leafs as needed to get back down to size:

http://www.coloradok5.com/shackleflip.shtml

Want to remain as low as possible (height and $$-wise) - building it to teach my niece and nephew how to drive standard and laugh at them hitting trees.

lyrikz · 06-27-2016, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

Put the bed back on it and load it down with about 1,500 lbs of watermellons!

Actually, the best method I found to make these ride better is do a rear spring shackle flip. It is amazing the ride difference with the flip which I was not expecting or looking for, the smoother ride was a secondary bonus.

ORD has one of the better shackle flip kits IMHO. http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm

After adding 52" rear springs and longer shackles. Really rides nice now, flexy too.

I know this is an old post but I'm looking for flex and a softer ride also. I mostly do sand which is higher speeds and bumpy. I'd like more travel so the shocks can take care of the rest. Would you recommend d this for the front and rear?
1971 chevy blazer 1/2 ton. Has a basic lift now. Couple of inches. 35 inch tires.

andrewmp6 · 06-28-2016, 08:37 AM

That is for the rear and it would soften the ride some,The off road guys do a 52 inch spring swap in the front which do flex more.Keep in minding doing both will give you 4 to 5 inches lift if i remember right.

08-03-2009, 07:19 PM	#1
mtm_seven Loading..... Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 214	How do I make the rear leafs softer? Hey gang, I have a little 4x4 project that started as a dually and now has single rears and no bed - as you can imagine, it beats you to death offroad with the stiff rear springs and no weight. (running 15 and 12 psi in the tires) Question, how can I keep the same ride height but make the rear springs softer? - What part of the packs should I remove and how big of a block should I plan for? Or is there another option like swapping some front leaves to the rear? I have a plasma and a mig; not afraid to use them Uglee huh? Attached Images __________________ -M7 '69 SWB GMC 5.7 EFI ‘69 C/10 SWB patina survivor ‘71 K20 LWB GMC '72 K5 1-ton gear 468BB ‘79 K20 LWB GMC ‘86 K30 GMC High Sierra C&C Single Cab ‘94 LWB GMC 2500 4x4 '96 SWB Single Cab 5.7 ‘99 SWB Z71 Single Cab '01 K2500 Yukon Safari 6.0 ‘06 1500 LWB 4x4 5.3 ‘06 2500HD Single Cab C&C Duramax 4x4 '08 2500HD x-cab duramax 4x4 '11 2500HD Single Cab Duramax 4x4

08-03-2009, 08:20 PM	#2
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: How do I make the rear leafs softer? Put the bed back on it and load it down with about 1,500 lbs of watermellons! Actually, the best method I found to make these ride better is do a rear spring shackle flip. It is amazing the ride difference with the flip which I was not expecting or looking for, the smoother ride was a secondary bonus. ORD has one of the better shackle flip kits IMHO. http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm After adding 52" rear springs and longer shackles. Really rides nice now, flexy too. __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

08-05-2009, 11:56 PM	#3
mtm_seven Loading..... Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 214	Re: How do I make the rear leafs softer? Hmmm, good point - I could do this and remove leafs as needed to get back down to size: http://www.coloradok5.com/shackleflip.shtml Want to remain as low as possible (height and $$-wise) - building it to teach my niece and nephew how to drive standard and laugh at them hitting trees. __________________ -M7 '69 SWB GMC 5.7 EFI ‘69 C/10 SWB patina survivor ‘71 K20 LWB GMC '72 K5 1-ton gear 468BB ‘79 K20 LWB GMC ‘86 K30 GMC High Sierra C&C Single Cab ‘94 LWB GMC 2500 4x4 '96 SWB Single Cab 5.7 ‘99 SWB Z71 Single Cab '01 K2500 Yukon Safari 6.0 ‘06 1500 LWB 4x4 5.3 ‘06 2500HD Single Cab C&C Duramax 4x4 '08 2500HD x-cab duramax 4x4 '11 2500HD Single Cab Duramax 4x4

06-28-2016, 08:37 AM	#5
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: How do I make the rear leafs softer? That is for the rear and it would soften the ride some,The off road guys do a 52 inch spring swap in the front which do flex more.Keep in minding doing both will give you 4 to 5 inches lift if i remember right.



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