Leaf Springs

[GloryHound]

I need new leaf springs for my truck and I've been looking in all the magazines I can find! My truck is a half ton but I see two different sets of leafs for it. One has 4 leafs and the other has five. Mine currently has five leafs. I've heard some people refer to there trucks as heavy half tons. Is this becouse they have the 5 leafs or the 4 leafs?

If I switch to the 4 leaf spring design should this soften up my ride a little and will it alter the stance of my truck?

I would like to lower my truck and have been thinking of flipping my rear axle. How much lower will this make it? and are there any problems with how the universals will line up?

[Mike C]

Spring rates are not completely dependent on number of leaves, but as a general rule, more thinner leaves makes for a more compliant ride. Whatever vendor you buy them from should be able to quote you on spring rate. If not, change vendors. Hard to go wrong with early classics. 4x4's and Longhorns have 2 1/2" wide springs while 2x4's have 2 1/4" wide springs. An axle flip by itself will lower your truck about 5". The existing spring pad plus the 3" axle tube then the new spring pad. Requires welding or an aftermarket kit. If you do shackles or springs in addition to the flip, will require a c-notch. Actually might require one as well if you are going to haul anything or trailer.

[72MARIO]

Check out Classic Performance Products They Have 4"Drop leaves and a 1.5" Drop sackle that will get you the same drop as flipping the axel with much less work. And if you go with a 4 pack vers 5 it shouldnt be much softer the 5 th spring is a overload spring allows you to carry a good load and does not really get used unless you have alot of weight on the truck. Later Mario

[crazy longhorn]

A 4" drop spring at the rear would probably be the slickest way to go, & still keep enough clearance for the extra load when hauling. If you need a little more, you can add shackles as already mentioned.......if you go much more than 5" drop, you will need to add a notch to the frame. the amount of drop also depends on the thickness of the leaf stack when doing an axle flip. In my case on the longhorn, I did a flip, & also removed the flat helper,& a 2 or3 bottom leafs& figured about a 6 1/2 " drop. That was a little much, as I am not running a notch in the frame. Next step was to remove the spring hangers, & move them down on the frame 1 1/4" to give right at a 5" drop.......with no c notch,& no bump stops, I have right 2 3/4" clearance between the frame & axle tubes. I havent ever seen the axle bottom out, but I dont do any hauling, & those Longhorn springs are still pretty firm with only 4 leafs left in the stack. Good luck.....crazyL

[HotRod929]

crazy longhorn - where did you get your flip kit from? I have a C20 with a Dana 60 rear axle and cant seem to find one. Thanks

HotRod

[crazy longhorn]

I used Direct connection pads(availble through Summit racing), & welded them to the tubes after figuring pinion angle. The U bolts were purchased at a local spring shop, & I used a Ford pickup plate (that the u bolts pass through). The shock brackets were fabbed & welded to the tubes also, & a set of universal lakewood slapper bars were used to control wheel hop(the truck has a 12 bolt rear diff/5 lug).........crazyL

[Longhorn Man]

While I can not help you with your spring Q...the heavy half designation was on later trucks. Don't let anyone tell you other wise. Most of the time ppl say this when they see the 6 lug nuts instead of five.

[GloryHound]

Hey thank you all for your help you've given me lots of things to consider as possibilities!