Leaf Spring Re-arch ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Ironhorse** · 05-26-2004, 08:22 PM

Has anyone ever had the rear springs on a 4x4 re-arched? If so, did it work out well and was the cost of it better than installing new springs? My '71 4x4 has a bit of a "sag" after 30 + years of use. I installed new springs in the front because they were a real cobbled up mess when I bought the truck. How about adding a extra leaf to compensate for the 30 years of metal fatigue. My truck sets low in the rear end and I don't like the stance at all. Front looks good but when you compare you can see the difference in the two. Any replies and info or tips is much appreciated.

miket · 05-26-2004, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Has anyone ever had the rear springs on a 4x4 re-arched? If so, did it work out well and was the cost of it better than installing new springs? My '71 4x4 has a bit of a "sag" after 30 + years of use. I installed new springs in the front because they were a real cobbled up mess when I bought the truck. How about adding a extra leaf to compensate for the 30 years of metal fatigue. My truck sets low in the rear end and I don't like the stance at all. Front looks good but when you compare you can see the difference in the two. Any replies and info or tips is much appreciated.

Way back when, I had a 71 Jeep J4000 that was lifted. I had the opportunity to get the springs re-arched however they sagged not soon after...the spring company of course recoomended new units specifically made for my application....which I did...5" lift with four new springs....never had an issue. the rea in mine sat low as well...thats why I had all four done at once.

gregsplace · 05-26-2004, 10:32 PM

I had the springs on my '67 3/4 4x4 done at Atlas Spring and Axle in Wichita around 16 years ago, still holding up good, give them a call and get an estimate. Also call Inland Truck parts, also in wichita, too. I bought new springs from them for my 71 3/4 4x4 that I built a few years ago. Inland was cheaper at the time on new springs than Atlas. Greg

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 05-26-2004, 11:28 PM

If it is not sagging too much you may want to try an add a leaf cheap and easy fix or maybe add some spring's to your stock pack...

EdB · 05-27-2004, 01:43 AM

I went into the Twilight Zone a few years ago and restored a 76
Bronco. I had the rear springs resagged and an extra leaf installed.
It was done by a company in Jackson Ms.. They trurned out
very well and the ride was good.

EdB

Tx Firefighter · 05-27-2004, 07:57 AM

I've had it done lots of times. My local spring shop charges 100 per pair to do it, and it includes adding new spring bushings.

Before you remove them though, measure the truck carefully. Most times the springs have sagged unevenly. Just mark which spring is which and tell them about it. They can rearch them so they both are the exact same height when done.

724wdcopper · 05-27-2004, 09:47 AM

add-a-leafs will work, but the ride suffers . . . trust me. your back and or significant other may not appreciate the new "improved" rough ride!

unless you roll around with the bed loaded all the time! that would compensate for the ride, but then we're back to the sagging! damn, what a vicious circle!

**Ironhorse** · 05-27-2004, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the replies to the re-arch question. Gregsplace, I will check with Atlas and Inland Truck and see what I can come up with. Since the truck was rebuilt and a new custom seat installed the wife doesn't mind riding in the truck anymore. A stiffer ride may make the difference to her so guess stock leaf set-up is best.

**JIMs70GMC** · 05-28-2004, 05:29 AM

Other than the sagging do you have any other problems with the springs? uneven, load capacity, bottoming out? If no add a zero-rate add-a-leaf from ORD or azkickin. bolts in w/ the spring pack and nets 1" of lift. Post some pics of your truck. Spring shops in my area want to much to re-arch springs and said they add an extra leaf anyway.

**Ironhorse** · 05-28-2004, 06:19 PM

Hope this pic attaches right. Show the truck from the side and you can see it sits to low in the back. Measuring from the axle hub to the lip of the wheel well arch is nearly a 1 1/2" difference.

JIMs70GMC, can you elaborate on the zero-rate add-a-leaf. Sounds as if would give a stiffer ride.

**Canadian694x4** · 05-28-2004, 07:53 PM

Again I gotta say I Love your Truck! It does look as tho your loaded...IMO I'd rather have that look than the "Rake" that my Truck has started to devolpe in the front. What type of springs (and how many?) do you have up front now?

**JIMs70GMC** · 05-28-2004, 07:59 PM

A zero-rate adds zero to the spring rate, thus not making it stiffer. Go here http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero%20Rates.htm

I don't think you can go by that measurement as the front arch goes up higher than the rear. It actually looks like my 70 GMC:

**Ironhorse** · 05-28-2004, 08:17 PM

Thanks again for the kind words. Like they say, "you shoulda seen it before". Wish I had saved some of the pics of it to my digital camera before we started on it. "Rough ol' dog" comes to mind. The springs on the front are replacement "stock" springs, not GM OEM parts. Three leaf with new bushings, u-bolts.

05-26-2004, 08:22 PM	#1
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,260	Leaf Spring Re-arch ? Has anyone ever had the rear springs on a 4x4 re-arched? If so, did it work out well and was the cost of it better than installing new springs? My '71 4x4 has a bit of a "sag" after 30 + years of use. I installed new springs in the front because they were a real cobbled up mess when I bought the truck. How about adding a extra leaf to compensate for the 30 years of metal fatigue. My truck sets low in the rear end and I don't like the stance at all. Front looks good but when you compare you can see the difference in the two. Any replies and info or tips is much appreciated. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

05-26-2004, 10:32 PM	#3
gregsplace Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Colwich,Kansas Posts: 713	I had the springs on my '67 3/4 4x4 done at Atlas Spring and Axle in Wichita around 16 years ago, still holding up good, give them a call and get an estimate. Also call Inland Truck parts, also in wichita, too. I bought new springs from them for my 71 3/4 4x4 that I built a few years ago. Inland was cheaper at the time on new springs than Atlas. Greg __________________ 67 3/4 4x4 402,a/t,flat bed 98 GMC Sierra swb daily driver 87 burb parting out. 68 1/2 chevy, 350/350, 71 gmc frame, kid's beater 69 1ton 396-4sp, dump 69 swb stepside 396/400th current frameup 67 swb 454/400th rebuilding now, oldest boy just rolled it 99,HD, Road King Classic Colwich Ks

05-26-2004, 11:28 PM	#4
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	If it is not sagging too much you may want to try an add a leaf cheap and easy fix or maybe add some spring's to your stock pack... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

05-27-2004, 07:57 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I've had it done lots of times. My local spring shop charges 100 per pair to do it, and it includes adding new spring bushings. Before you remove them though, measure the truck carefully. Most times the springs have sagged unevenly. Just mark which spring is which and tell them about it. They can rearch them so they both are the exact same height when done. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

05-27-2004, 09:32 PM	#8
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,260	Thanks for the replies to the re-arch question. Gregsplace, I will check with Atlas and Inland Truck and see what I can come up with. Since the truck was rebuilt and a new custom seat installed the wife doesn't mind riding in the truck anymore. A stiffer ride may make the difference to her so guess stock leaf set-up is best. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

05-27-2004, 01:43 AM	#5
EdB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport Ms Posts: 401	I went into the Twilight Zone a few years ago and restored a 76 Bronco. I had the rear springs resagged and an extra leaf installed. It was done by a company in Jackson Ms.. They trurned out very well and the ride was good. EdB

05-27-2004, 09:47 AM	#7
724wdcopper graphic designer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 841	add-a-leafs will work, but the ride suffers . . . trust me. your back and or significant other may not appreciate the new "improved" rough ride! unless you roll around with the bed loaded all the time! that would compensate for the ride, but then we're back to the sagging! damn, what a vicious circle!

05-28-2004, 05:29 AM	#9
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Other than the sagging do you have any other problems with the springs? uneven, load capacity, bottoming out? If no add a zero-rate add-a-leaf from ORD or azkickin. bolts in w/ the spring pack and nets 1" of lift. Post some pics of your truck. Spring shops in my area want to much to re-arch springs and said they add an extra leaf anyway. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

05-28-2004, 06:19 PM	#10
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,260	Hope this pic attaches right. Show the truck from the side and you can see it sits to low in the back. Measuring from the axle hub to the lip of the wheel well arch is nearly a 1 1/2" difference. JIMs70GMC, can you elaborate on the zero-rate add-a-leaf. Sounds as if would give a stiffer ride. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks Last edited by Ironhorse; 11-05-2006 at 06:27 PM.

05-28-2004, 07:53 PM	#11
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,308	Again I gotta say I Love your Truck! It does look as tho your loaded...IMO I'd rather have that look than the "Rake" that my Truck has started to devolpe in the front. What type of springs (and how many?) do you have up front now? __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 22 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada!- 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 3 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 17 Yrs- 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 8 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

05-28-2004, 07:59 PM	#12
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	A zero-rate adds zero to the spring rate, thus not making it stiffer. Go here http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero%20Rates.htm I don't think you can go by that measurement as the front arch goes up higher than the rear. It actually looks like my 70 GMC: __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

05-28-2004, 08:17 PM	#13
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,260	Thanks again for the kind words. Like they say, "you shoulda seen it before". Wish I had saved some of the pics of it to my digital camera before we started on it. "Rough ol' dog" comes to mind. The springs on the front are replacement "stock" springs, not GM OEM parts. Three leaf with new bushings, u-bolts. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.