I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wolffcub · 06-29-2014, 01:17 AM

Got the stage 2 drop leaf spring kit from POL and went with the 3" drop for the rear and 2.5 for the front. The reason for choosing these drop height is first off the stock ride on my truck was nose down so going with 2.5 in the front I thought would level it out a bit with the 3" on the rear. Secondly it was the maximum drop offered for the leaf spring options on the front.

With the springs installed the truck only dropped 1" in the front and the rear went nicely way down about 2.5". I even took out the first small leaf to get it to go to the 1" drop. With full fuel (tank in rear) and bed wood installed the rear will drop more.

I worried the front will not settle to the 2.5" drop they are noted to make.

Anyone installed the same or similar setup and have any info on the front relaxing? I don't want a truck pointing nose up!

**G&R's57GMC** · 06-29-2014, 11:12 AM

Well you could drop a BIG Block in ... That would settle the front

Actually, call POL and find out what engine the front springs were designed for.

Spring rate is everything when it comes to ride height. The rear is easy enough for a one size fits all spring rate, beds weigh about the same. Until you put a load in it.

The front is the variable with different engine/trans combos , The weight can vary as much as 350-400 pounds. So a one size fits all spring rate will result in different ride height and ride.

_Ogre · 06-29-2014, 12:13 PM

is your truck all together? doors and front clip on, interior and glass in?
if not don't worry about it until the truck is complete and then re-study it

mr48chev · 06-29-2014, 12:33 PM

It could be that you actually do have a 2-1/2 inch drop as the original springs may have sagged 1-1/2 inches or more.

Also tire diameter is involved as you may have larger diameter tires than the oem tires on a stock 3100. Best bet right now is to have someone with a totally stock truck with stock height tires to measure a couple of reference points that you can compare on your truck to see what it is changed from stock.

mr48chev · 06-29-2014, 12:34 PM

Ogre made a good point in post 3 too. the truck has to be ALL together and it should be driven a few miles to get a totally accurate measurement.

wolffcub · 06-29-2014, 01:32 PM

Right now the truck has a 235 in it and will never see anything else other than another inline. I have nothing on the front at the moment but I can't see all the front bits pulling the front down that much, but I could be wrong.

_Ogre · 06-29-2014, 02:37 PM

front bits will pull it down a lot
patience grasshopper

get it all together before you modify anything

06-29-2014, 01:17 AM	#1
wolffcub Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Edmonton Posts: 348	I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( Got the stage 2 drop leaf spring kit from POL and went with the 3" drop for the rear and 2.5 for the front. The reason for choosing these drop height is first off the stock ride on my truck was nose down so going with 2.5 in the front I thought would level it out a bit with the 3" on the rear. Secondly it was the maximum drop offered for the leaf spring options on the front. With the springs installed the truck only dropped 1" in the front and the rear went nicely way down about 2.5". I even took out the first small leaf to get it to go to the 1" drop. With full fuel (tank in rear) and bed wood installed the rear will drop more. I worried the front will not settle to the 2.5" drop they are noted to make. Anyone installed the same or similar setup and have any info on the front relaxing? I don't want a truck pointing nose up!

06-29-2014, 11:12 AM	#2
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,619	Re: I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( Well you could drop a BIG Block in ... That would settle the front Actually, call POL and find out what engine the front springs were designed for. Spring rate is everything when it comes to ride height. The rear is easy enough for a one size fits all spring rate, beds weigh about the same. Until you put a load in it. The front is the variable with different engine/trans combos , The weight can vary as much as 350-400 pounds. So a one size fits all spring rate will result in different ride height and ride. __________________ Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275

06-29-2014, 12:13 PM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( is your truck all together? doors and front clip on, interior and glass in? if not don't worry about it until the truck is complete and then re-study it __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

06-29-2014, 12:33 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,411	Re: I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( It could be that you actually do have a 2-1/2 inch drop as the original springs may have sagged 1-1/2 inches or more. Also tire diameter is involved as you may have larger diameter tires than the oem tires on a stock 3100. Best bet right now is to have someone with a totally stock truck with stock height tires to measure a couple of reference points that you can compare on your truck to see what it is changed from stock. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-29-2014, 12:34 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,411	Re: I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( Ogre made a good point in post 3 too. the truck has to be ALL together and it should be driven a few miles to get a totally accurate measurement. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-29-2014, 01:32 PM	#6
wolffcub Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Edmonton Posts: 348	Re: I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( Right now the truck has a 235 in it and will never see anything else other than another inline. I have nothing on the front at the moment but I can't see all the front bits pulling the front down that much, but I could be wrong.

06-29-2014, 02:37 PM	#7
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: I think i made a bad call on leafsprings :( front bits will pull it down a lot patience grasshopper get it all together before you modify anything __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer



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