add a leafs questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hgs_notes · 11-01-2009, 12:36 AM

The rear of my Jimmy is sagging big time. I'd like to just put new springs in, but the cost is too high for that at this point. There are several makers of the add a leafs.

One of my main questions is about the short style or long style. What's the pros/cons of the short or long? How is the ride affected by these? Would I be better off buying some new U bolts and putting in some 2" blocks?

Later on I'm thinking about 2-4 inches of lift and plan on replacing all the springs.

**Stocker** · 11-01-2009, 11:07 AM

I would get air shocks instead... much easier to install and you can adjust the amount of lift in seconds.

**special-K** · 11-01-2009, 12:27 PM

The think with the add-a-leafs is they`ll prolly only be good for now and not go with the new springs.The new lift springs will be contoured for the given lift.Blocks are cheaper and that`s what I`d do.My`72 has 1" factory blocks.I don`t see a problem with 2" blocks.I never had any problems from 4".That truck also has air shocks.Not a bad idea,except they prolly won`t work with your new suspension either.I`d go the cheap route to get you by.The more you spend the farther from your new springs you get.Been going through this myself.

cobinder · 11-01-2009, 03:42 PM

All the add-a-leafs I've had rode like tanks. If you like how your truck rides now I'd consider blocks (rear only) or the air shocks.
You might call your local spring shop and see what they charge to re-arch your springs. Probably close to what new springs cost. Look on here and Craigslist for used 4" lift springs

hgs_notes · 11-01-2009, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the info everybody. I'm thinking blocks would be fine and cheaper. The add a leaf would be better if I needed the extra load capacity.

**special-K** · 11-01-2009, 11:28 PM

You could do the re-arch to where you want it after the lit.Would that be too raked?I didn`t suggest this because,like cobinder said,that will cost about the same as lift springs.But,you could have them arched to the lift height and be 1/2 done the lit.

11-01-2009, 12:36 AM	#1
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	add a leafs questions The rear of my Jimmy is sagging big time. I'd like to just put new springs in, but the cost is too high for that at this point. There are several makers of the add a leafs. One of my main questions is about the short style or long style. What's the pros/cons of the short or long? How is the ride affected by these? Would I be better off buying some new U bolts and putting in some 2" blocks? Later on I'm thinking about 2-4 inches of lift and plan on replacing all the springs. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

11-01-2009, 11:07 AM	#2
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,806	Re: add a leafs questions I would get air shocks instead... much easier to install and you can adjust the amount of lift in seconds. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-01-2009, 12:27 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: add a leafs questions The think with the add-a-leafs is they`ll prolly only be good for now and not go with the new springs.The new lift springs will be contoured for the given lift.Blocks are cheaper and that`s what I`d do.My`72 has 1" factory blocks.I don`t see a problem with 2" blocks.I never had any problems from 4".That truck also has air shocks.Not a bad idea,except they prolly won`t work with your new suspension either.I`d go the cheap route to get you by.The more you spend the farther from your new springs you get.Been going through this myself. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-01-2009, 03:42 PM	#4
cobinder Everything is work in progress Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 326	Re: add a leafs questions All the add-a-leafs I've had rode like tanks. If you like how your truck rides now I'd consider blocks (rear only) or the air shocks. You might call your local spring shop and see what they charge to re-arch your springs. Probably close to what new springs cost. Look on here and Craigslist for used 4" lift springs __________________ Good luck with your truck! How much?! It's just an old truck part!! 49 International on a 80 GMC 3/4ton 4x4 chassis 48 International KB-5 2 ton dump bed 04 Honda CRF "500" 09 Honda CRF450 fuel injected rocket 03 Suzuki hayabusa carbonfiber wheeled monster. 02 Ford diesel stretch van (toy hauler) 01 38' Monaco diesel pusher motorhome Last edited by cobinder; 11-01-2009 at 03:43 PM.

11-01-2009, 04:10 PM	#5
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Re: add a leafs questions Thanks for the info everybody. I'm thinking blocks would be fine and cheaper. The add a leaf would be better if I needed the extra load capacity. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

11-01-2009, 11:28 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: add a leafs questions You could do the re-arch to where you want it after the lit.Would that be too raked?I didn`t suggest this because,like cobinder said,that will cost about the same as lift springs.But,you could have them arched to the lift height and be 1/2 done the lit. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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