Question for those that pulled a leaf

[Ice&burban]

Ok guys, I've got a 1990 suburban. I've drop the front with 2 1/2" drop spindles and 1" coils. The rear I used 73-87 drop spring hangers and drop shackles. I didn't want to do the flip and go that low, as I still use it for family trips. Anyway, I still have a rake to it and need to bring the rear down about an inch or so. I'm going to pull a leaf, but I need to know which leaf spring would work best? If I'm not mistaken, it's 5 main leaves and a helper (sorry, truck is at buddies shop and can't verify). If anyone has experimented at taking different leaves out trying to get their truck level, I could use your help. Which leaves have y'all done and how much drop did it give you?

['68 Newtricks]

Can you get a longer shackle than the one you bought? Or make one or have one made for you. I would do that before screwing with removing leaves, it normally doesn't work out in the long run. If you have no other choice, I would start with #4.

main leaf is #1
bottom leaf is #5
overload leaf

[Ice&burban]

I already have longer shackles. I can't go any longer, I'd be into the floor. My thought was the helper spring would give me and inch. I don't tow anything anymore so, I wouldn't run into problems with that.

[68Timber]

I know a lot of guys do this with good results but I'm not sure which is the best leaf to pull. The overload is probably a safe first choice but I don't know if you'll get much drop from it.

[Ice&burban]

From research I've done, it looks like the helper will give me 3/4" drop. I think I'll experiment one of these days, just run with a rack for a few weeks. I think I want to keep the helper, just for that added support.

['68 Newtricks]

pull the overload if you think you'll never use it

[Koz1]

i Just pulled the overload from my 1991 suburban,dropped rear .770,and it rides exactly the same as before,u just lose the the towing advantage without the overload.
Also reused stock u bolts,and reused center spring bolt,just trimmed off the excess.
re torque u bolts to 140-150 ft. lbs with a good torque wrench,not a HF one.
BTW- you prolly didn't get any extra drop from a front hanger,since burb ones are allready lower than the truck hangers.

[68Timber]

The Pittsburgh torque wrenches at HF are actually pretty good. A Craftsman torque wrench I bought in the late 90's died a little over a year ago and I replaced it with one of these after reading that article. It's worked well.

[Koz1]

yeah up to a point,HF starts getting worse at higher torque values. Yes for the price i carry one in each truck for changing tires ,flat. its pretty close to the Snap on ,at the wheel torque levels,it was within 5-6% ,but at u bolt torque greater difference. i had to set the hf to 155 to snap on 140 on the u bolt torque.