70 4x4 Rear Springs

[4x4swb1970]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of restoring the frame for 70 4x4 K10 short bed. Somebody messed with the rear springs in the past. Right now the drivers side is a 7 leaf with a 5/8" bottom leaf and the rest are all 3/8". The passenger side is a 5/8" bottom leaf and then 3 1/4" leafs and 3 3/8" leafs. Long story short the truck sits crooked, and I want to fix that. If anyone knows what the original springs were supposed to look like I'd appreciate your input. Thx

[67mater]

my 67 k10 longbed is 2 full length leaves 3/8" each. Not sure if that's consistent for all years half tons, but I know when I had my k20 it was more like that with the 5/8" overload. your PO was either attempting to change the lift, fix a weak spring, or the normal chevy twist, or all of the above! are you wanting factory ride height or lift?

[4x4swb1970]

Well I really dont have a preferance so I'm kind of aiming at either replacing it to a stock spring and keeping it original, or just going the opposite extreme and putting a lift kit on it. I need rear springs and all 4 shocks anyways. I guess whatever is cheaper is the way I'll end up going. If I can find what an original spring looks like I can see if anyone makes them. It seems like most of what I'm finding are generic springs, and I dont feel like returning 3 sets of springs because they make the truck sit funny! Thx

[randy500]

Half ton had 4 main leafs and an overload stock, heavy duty spring option would be 5 main leafs and an overload.

[4x4swb1970]

Originally Posted by randy500

Half ton had 4 main leafs and an overload stock, heavy duty spring option would be 5 main leafs and an overload.

Ok awesome, do you have any idea what the thickness of each leaf was. I'm kind of thinking that they were all supposed to be 3/8" leads. Thanks!

[KyFarm]

Originally Posted by 4x4swb1970

Ok awesome, do you have any idea what the thickness of each leaf was. I'm kind of thinking that they were all supposed to be 3/8" leads. Thanks!

My truck is a ‘69, but the four springs are 3/8”, the helper spring is 1/2”. These are the thicknesses over the axel.

My truck also has a 1” block between the helper spring and the axel perch.

[derotoreut]

Hey Buffalo neighbor. Looking at your pictures I see 6-springs + 1-heavy overload in each picture. Anyway here is my K10 after replacement of rear spring set. I went with a Skyjacker 2-1/2" spring lift. Are you planning to reuse the springs? They are 50-year old springs. If you're going through the trouble, why not just replace them with new?

[4x4swb1970]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

Hey Buffalo neighbor. Looking at your pictures I see 6-springs + 1-heavy overload in each picture. Anyway here is my K10 after replacement of rear spring set. I went with a Skyjacker 2-1/2" spring lift. Are you planning to reuse the springs? They are 50-year old springs. If you're going through the trouble, why not just replace them with new?

Well it looks like I'll be going that route. I was debating on whether to go lift or stay stock. I've heard good things about the ride of the skyjackers. If I'm putting lifted springs on, I might as well bite the bullet and get the skyjacker 4" kit. Rough Country is cheaper but it sounds like it's way stiffer of a ride. If you need any parts let me know I have a couple parts trucks kicking around that I dont need much off of anymore! Thx