Leaf springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JustinR · 04-09-2007, 10:35 PM

I was wondering how much travel a 1971 K-10 should have? I was planning on installing a 4’’ lift with new front and rear springs in the future, but seeing how little room there is in between the front bump stop and the leaf is making me wonder if the truck is even comfortably drivable until the springs are replaced. Here is a link to the truck.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233565

As far as lifts go, I was looking into the Skyjacker lift # C240AKS. The only bad thing I have read so far, is that with the softride rear springs the weight capacity for the bed is lower. I am planning on hauling my atv which weighs 850 pounds, would this be an issue? Here are some pics of how close it is.

Thanks a lot.

1969k10stepside · 04-09-2007, 10:39 PM

I had alot more room from the bumpstops on mine before the lift....And now I have a 6" rear/4" front lift so if/when I haul my 4x4 atv it doesnt sit to low in the back

dan04103 · 04-09-2007, 10:56 PM

The lift springs arch up so the clearance will increase with the lift. I am not sure on the actual spacing between bump stop and spring but my lift came with spacers to put between the bump stop and the frame to drop the bumpstop down.

dan04103 · 04-09-2007, 10:57 PM

The reason your springs have a lower clearance is most likely due to saggy springs

timcos · 04-10-2007, 12:32 AM

The front springs are de-arched when stock...GM's way of giving a nicer ride.

I replaced my front leafs...they are no longer saggy and of course all new hardware was replaced as well.

JustinR · 04-10-2007, 01:42 AM

Thanks for the replies guys! Does anybody know how much travel I would gain by replacing the leafs, without going to a lift spring? Or how much travel these trucks would have had when they were new? This is my first truck and it just seems that there should be more than 2'' of travel up front.

Thanks.

martinkh · 04-10-2007, 10:50 AM

I think that just the re-arch part of my spring work gave me 2-3 inches of more height. Those 37 year old springs were tired!

04-09-2007, 10:35 PM	#1
JustinR Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 80	Leaf springs I was wondering how much travel a 1971 K-10 should have? I was planning on installing a 4’’ lift with new front and rear springs in the future, but seeing how little room there is in between the front bump stop and the leaf is making me wonder if the truck is even comfortably drivable until the springs are replaced. Here is a link to the truck. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233565 As far as lifts go, I was looking into the Skyjacker lift # C240AKS. The only bad thing I have read so far, is that with the softride rear springs the weight capacity for the bed is lower. I am planning on hauling my atv which weighs 850 pounds, would this be an issue? Here are some pics of how close it is. Thanks a lot. Attached Images

04-09-2007, 10:39 PM	#2
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Leaf springs I had alot more room from the bumpstops on mine before the lift....And now I have a 6" rear/4" front lift so if/when I haul my 4x4 atv it doesnt sit to low in the back Last edited by 1969k10stepside; 04-09-2007 at 10:39 PM.

04-09-2007, 10:56 PM	#3
dan04103 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 21	Re: Leaf springs The lift springs arch up so the clearance will increase with the lift. I am not sure on the actual spacing between bump stop and spring but my lift came with spacers to put between the bump stop and the frame to drop the bumpstop down.

04-09-2007, 10:57 PM	#4
dan04103 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 21	Re: Leaf springs The reason your springs have a lower clearance is most likely due to saggy springs

04-10-2007, 12:32 AM	#5
timcos Chief Honcho In Charge Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bentonville AR Posts: 970	Re: Leaf springs The front springs are de-arched when stock...GM's way of giving a nicer ride. I replaced my front leafs...they are no longer saggy and of course all new hardware was replaced as well. __________________ 1992 1500 4x4 Shortbed 1984 Ford F250 Supercab Longbed 6.9L Diesel 1972 K10 Cheyenne Super Fleetside Short Bed - 350 - A/C 1971 VW SuperBeetle 1960 Wife 1984 Son 1986 Son 1989 Son Previous Trucks 1967 C10 SWB (1980-1981) 1971 C10 LWB (1998-2004) Last edited by timcos; 04-10-2007 at 12:37 AM.

04-10-2007, 01:42 AM	#6
JustinR Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 80	Re: Leaf springs Thanks for the replies guys! Does anybody know how much travel I would gain by replacing the leafs, without going to a lift spring? Or how much travel these trucks would have had when they were new? This is my first truck and it just seems that there should be more than 2'' of travel up front. Thanks.

04-10-2007, 10:50 AM	#7
martinkh Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boise Posts: 107	Re: Leaf springs I think that just the re-arch part of my spring work gave me 2-3 inches of more height. Those 37 year old springs were tired! __________________ '70gmc 3/4ton 4X4, re-arch and 2" add-a-leaf lift. '77 400sbc, '82 axles, d60front, 14bolt rear. Probably some 285/75/16 Toyo m/t's on my stock rims coming up.



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