52" vs 56" spring, short and long bed conversion. HELP!!

[cochino12]

I pulled the bed off my 3/4 CC that I will be shortening last night and now I have a few questions.

I assume the axle will be centered correctly when swapped from 56 to 52", right?

I've done some reading and it sounds like the frames should already have hanger holes for the shorter leaf springs. Am I missing something because I dont see the holes? Is the extra length is in the rear of the leaf pack?

I dont remember swapping leaf packs when I shortened my old c30? Can I run the 56" leaf springs under my short bed, it doesnt look like it?

thanks in advance for any help

[lolife99]

Extra frame holes are in the rear on 1/2 ton trucks.
I don't know if your 3/4-ton frame will have them or not.

The leafsprings will have the centering pin,... the same distance from the front spring eye.

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Extra frame holes are in the rear on 1/2 ton trucks.
I don't know if your 3/4-ton frame will have them or not.

The leafsprings will have the centering pin,... the same distance from the front spring eye.

Ok, no big deal drilling the new holes. so just to clariify, I just need a new 52" leaf pack, bolt it to the front hangers and that will thell me where to mount the rear hanger right? thanks for the help

[lolife99]

1/2-ton frame,...
This is the only pic I could find.
I think the rear green line is wrong.
It's actually one hole forward of the one shown in this picture.

It might be easier for you to find some 56" 1/2 ton springs.

[cochino12]

Will a 56" spring work in a swb?
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[88Jimmy4x4]

my swb 1976 1500 2wd has 56" leafs from factory so I dont see why it wouldnt work on your conversion

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by cochino12

Will a 56" spring work in a swb?
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SWB trucks had both 56" and 52".
The rearend will be centered with either one.

Maybe just use your 3/4-ton spring pack with a few leafs removed?
Aren't the leaf spring pads on the rearend in a different location between the 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. (farther out on the 3/4 ton?)
I would think you could use your 3/4 ton leaf springs with 1/2-ton hangers and 1/2 ton rearend.

[J Knight]

52in springs are 26in from front eye to center pin and 26in from rear eye to center pin.
56in springs are 26in from from eye to center pin and 30in from rear eye to center pin.
The diference is the rear shackle hanger location. The axle will remain in the center wheel well with either spring you chose. No need to move the front spring hanger.
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[88Jimmy4x4]

one thing nice about 56" leafs is if you use a drop shackle you dont have to notch the underside bedrail support, being further back it clears just fine

[cory d]

i would use the 56. they keep the front the same length to control axle wrap but the long beck will create a smoother ride. you could just remove one or two of the short leafs

[chevy1ton]

Here is a decent pic of the frame on my 86 3/4 ton, I noticed I had both sets of holes while doing a shackle flip.

[cochino12]

Thanks for the help guys. I guess the main reason for my confusion is the section behind the rear hanger. if I have to cut roughly 9" off the back of the frame the 56" springs arent going to fit, or am I still missing something? I am going to look at a short bed tomorrow and can do some real measuring

EDIT: after some more reading looks like guys are only cutting 5-6" off the rear. Thanks again for the help everyone!!!

[J Knight]

Ive read you only need to cut 3in off the rear of the frame.
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[chevy1ton]

Will you have enough room for your bumper brackets if you cut the frame and keep the longer springs? You may have to move the spring bracket forward just so you have enough frame to bolt up to. Know what I mean?

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by J Knight

Ive read you only need to cut 3in off the rear of the frame.
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hmm, I havent seen that? I hope so

Originally Posted by chevy1ton

Will you have enough room for your bumper brackets if you cut the frame and keep the longer springs? You may have to move the spring bracket forward just so you have enough frame to bolt up to. Know what I mean?

I do, I'll have to do some measuring when I get the new bed.

[rs72z]

I cut 3" off the rear of mine.

[88Jimmy4x4]

if you need any measurments off my 1/2 ton with 56" leafs just lemme know what you need

[bagged74]

I usually cut 4" off. It doesn't leave much room to mount the bumper if you use the long springs, but it can be done
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