1969 gmc heavy half ton, leaf spring removal for drop and ease up stiffness

[evanlove]

Hello

I have a gmc 1969 heavy half ton short bed with a period correct enclosed utility bed.

I plan to remove the utility bed and run it around as a lowered cab and chassis.

It has 5 leaf springs now, when I remove the steel enclosed utility bed, this thing is going to have some serious forward rake and ride very stiff.

Can I remove a couple springs, or even 3 of the 5, to loosen it up and get some drop, then maybe finish the drop with shackles?

Keep in mind I have no intention of putting any truck bed or weight back there.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Evan

[Mike C]

4 leafs plus the overload? My short step has the heavy duty rear springs. I am running them as is with the overload removed. I flipped the rear for 7" drop. Would have kept the overload but it hit my CalTrac bars.

Personally, don't think it rids all that rough/stiff. I drilled the stock shock mount upper hole out and used it to mount the shock. I used stock length front shocks all the way around.

[mongocanfly]

I've seen lowered trucks with the utility bed still on...they look pretty cool...not something you see every day...
I drove a truck with no bed back in high school...its no fun..
I'd lower it and leave the bed on it...
Google lowered utility bed trucks....

[evanlove]

So that thicker, flatter bottom spring is just in case someone over loads a truck?

And the 4 plus that one is a heavy duty stack right?

How many leaves are in a normal 1/2 ton short bed stack?

[Mike C]

The overload is for when you are loading the truck up to rated capacity even. Once you get a certain amount of weight in the truck, the spring place flattens out to transfer weight to that leaf.

The parts axle I had from a 71-72 truck that I put in my 69 came with the standard leaf pack which was 3 leaves plus the overload.