Replacement Leaf Spring Questions

[argonaut]

Oh and I called Alcan. Bob over there is a really nice guy! Its about $1,300 plus shipping for stock height or low lift springs like these. They use 7 leaves on each pack and come with bushing pre-installed. And the fronts are straight 2.5" leaves, not tapered out to 3" ends like factory springs.

I wasn't able to get in touch with anyone local at Atlas spring yet.
And I have yet to call E&C Spring.

I'll post with what info i get so others have it as reference.

[DeadheadNM]

Good deal. I found them easy to approach.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by argonaut

It would be awesome if you could get reference numbers front and rear. I usually like to get a measurement from a fixed point on the axle up to the frame, to avoid discrepancies with tires sizes and wear...but fender heights are definitely appreciated and better than nothing!

OK, I will try and get you that info.

I will try and get a measurement from the top of the axle tube to the bottom of the frame, front and back. I'll also try and get a lip height from the centerline of the axle to the lip on the fender(s)

I'll do it this way so that the tire diameter doesn't come into play.

I can only measure one side of the truck because it's pushed up tight against a wall, but my truck sits very level so that shouldn't be an issue.

[Blazerowner]

From what I remember my rear spring was actually a -1” spring from stock due to the shackle flip. I think they mentioned them sourcing the spring from Deaver. They’re nice springs and I like the height, but it was a big jump from stock. I went with 3” due to the LS crossmember to clear the differential. I believe the original springs had sagged a couple inches over the years.

Originally Posted by argonaut

ORD gets their "custom" springs from Deaver here in Santa Ana, Ca.
With the shackle flip bracket they can tune the lift height, using Deaver's typical 4" lift springs.

[CJM72]

Enjoying this thread! Went out and measured my wheel arches and they are both right at around 39.5" front and back. Cheap add-a-leafs in the front and 2.5-3" blocks out back. Springs and bushings otherwise appear to be sagged out originals.

Decided to measure my 33" tires and they are between 31.5 and 32" tall! My overall height looks to be about 73+" roughly. That would mean I have closer to a 3" lift compared to stock height of 68.5" with a 29" tire. Seems like a lot of lift for a clapped out add-a-leaf.

[argonaut]

I called Atlas and spoke to one of their techs. You have to call the shop, no one seems to pick up or call back from the main line number listed on the website. But if you call the main line their message gives you the shop number.
For the Blazer there are two spring options:

Progressive:
- Softest more compliant ride.
- lose about 20% total load capacity
- Cannot under any circumstances use these for towing (but I'm thinking would be okay if you added some air bags in the back for use only when towing) I do tow occasionally, so this is a concern for me
- recommend (anti)sway bars (i think)
- $1380 for set of four springs

Expedition:
- use these if you are towing, have a camper, heavy gear systems, etc.
- lose about 5% total capacity
- Different spring pack with more stiff leaves
- $300 additional charge for a set of four springs.

The guy I was talking to didn't know how many leaves would be in each o the assembled spring packs listed above. I think I need to get in touch with one of the spring engineers to get that info. The front springs are also use straight 2.5" leafs, not tapered out to 3".

[argonaut]

Spoke to Ben at E&C Spring. Very nice guy. His recommendation was to re-arch all my spring packs and put 1 to 1.5" back into them. If I bring him the springs it'll run about $750 for the re-arch with new bushings installed and new u-bolts. Add $350 if I just drop off the Blazer and have them remove and reinstall.

I respect that he was trying to give me an economical solution.

[DeadheadNM]

FWIW - I noticed a big improvement in ride quality went I went from re-arched to new springs.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Spoke to Ben at E&C Spring. Very nice guy. His recommendation was to re-arch all my spring packs and put 1 to 1.5" back into them. If I bring him the springs it'll run about $750 for the re-arch with new bushings installed and new u-bolts. Add $350 if I just drop off the Blazer and have them remove and reinstall.

I respect that he was trying to give me an economical solution.

IMHO, I would not reuse the old springs. You will be further ahead putting in new ones. Like Deadhead said, the improvement that new springs make is amazing. Also, don't get them to build you new springs. The leaves they use are not tapered which gives them too stiff of a spring rate. I highly recommend the Tuff Country springs.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

FWIW - I noticed a big improvement in ride quality went I went from re-arched to new springs.

Yup, I definitely plan on getting new custom built spring packs and not just rearching the old springs.

Deadhead, do you think you could get an axle to frame measurement, front and rear, from your Blazer? Or even a top of tire to fender lip would suffice. I'm trying to decide if I'm going with stock height or adding an inch. It would be much appreciated.

[DeadheadNM]

Can do ASAP - pm sent

[simicrintz]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Spoke to Ben at E&C Spring. Very nice guy. His recommendation was to re-arch all my spring packs and put 1 to 1.5" back into them. If I bring him the springs it'll run about $750 for the re-arch with new bushings installed and new u-bolts. Add $350 if I just drop off the Blazer and have them remove and reinstall.

I respect that he was trying to give me an economical solution.

Ben is the guy to talk to there. They have been doing all the city trucks (including fire and big commercial service trucks) for many years, as well as custom set ups. I'm not a metal man, but if he recommended re-arching I suspect there is a reason (he can build anything you want, and has for me in the past, so it's not that he can't or won't build new).

It's good to have options; good luck whichever direction you go!

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by argonaut

It would be awesome if you could get reference numbers front and rear. I usually like to get a measurement from a fixed point on the axle up to the frame, to avoid discrepancies with tires sizes and wear...but fender heights are definitely appreciated and better than nothing!

Hope this helps!

[CJM72]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Hope this helps!

Thanks Hemi! I just measured my front bump stop. I have about 6" from the top of the spring plate to the top side of the bump stop mount where you have close to 7". Seems odd when my fender lip height is close to 40" with 33" tires. (32" actual). I believe you are in the 39.5" range with similar tires.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Hope this helps!

Thanks Hemi43! I have used both tuff country and skyjacker on my 66 K20 pickup. I have found that the skyjackers are a little softer than the tuffcountry, but i'm hoping to get something more compliant than either of those.

I'm planning to use Alcan to build my springs, but I'm trying to determine whether i want stock height, or +1" or +2". I'm trying to confirm the loaded arch dimension for their "stock height" so I can figure out how much higher that may be than my original saggy springs.

[harrisoncole4]

The off the shelf stuff front Tuff Country and Skyjacker obviously run a fair bit cheaper than the custom stuff as well. Too bad TC doesn't make a stock height kit.

[CJM72]

I ended up buying the 2.5" Skyjacker Softride kit, so I'll post results when I get if installed. I'm looking for clearance for my LS swap without getting to high in the air. I'm short some bushings, paint, and time at the moment, but I'll put my numbers up similar to Hemi's when it's done.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by harrisoncole4

The off the shelf stuff front Tuff Country and Skyjacker obviously run a fair bit cheaper than the custom stuff as well. Too bad TC doesn't make a stock height kit.

If you want stock springs that don't cost an arm and a leg you can get replacements here:
https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/
https://www.generalspringkc.com/Default.asp
https://www.truckspring.com/

[DeadheadNM]

Mine measures 24” from center of hub dial to the lip of the front fender and ~11” from top of axle tube to line drawn from the underside of the frame.

[aotte1]

Jason,

REAR SPRING MEASUREMENTS

Photos showing rear springs with axle measurements we discuss. The measurements are from the top of axle. Two different measurements provided. 1). Bottom of frame bracket, and 2). Bottom of frame. These are not ride height measurements, as frame is on jack stands, along with no body weight. Work in progress, so a mess all around. Hope they give you some ideas to estimate ride height with these springs. Believe they are very close to Pete’s, if not the same. Ordered stock springs, with options and some additional load.

Les

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Jason,

REAR SPRING MEASUREMENTS

Photos showing rear springs with axle measurements. The measurements are from the top of axle. Two different measurements provided. 1). Bottom of frame bracket, and 2). Bottom of frame. These are not ride height measurements, as frame is on jack stands, along with no body weight. Work in progress, so a mess all around. Hope they give you some ideas to estimate ride height with these springs. Believe they are very close to Pete’s, if not the same. Ordered stock springs, with options and some additional load.

Les

No weight on the springs mean those numbers are irrelevant. I`m curious what the final number is once the weight of the truck is on them. My rear springs were bought as stock height, but I had to add a 1`spacer block to get the desired level to match the front.