rear leaf springs, what will fit?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greg0380 · 01-30-2006, 10:18 AM

I have an 85 1/2 ton 2WD, and I want to replace the rear leaf springs. First question is, right now I have a mismatch setup, driver side has 6 leafs, passenger side has 4 leafs. Would this cause the rear to hop on acceleration??

Second question, what would fit? Most parts places specify 4 leafs, but I would like to go with 6 or 8 but they list them as for 4WD and i was told they wont fit. But as long as the measurement from eyelet to eyelet is the same wouldnt they work?? Aren't all the leaf springs for this year the same length?

67Fleet · 01-30-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg0380

I have an 85 1/2 ton 2WD, and I want to replace the rear leaf springs. First question is, right now I have a mismatch setup, driver side has 6 leafs, passenger side has 4 leafs. Would this cause the rear to hop on acceleration??

Hmm, that's odd. Does the rear end sit crooked? I'm not too familiar with that body-style truck, but I do know that both sides should have the same amount of leaves in the pack. That could be one of the reasons why you are getting axle-wrap. What are you trying to accomplish with your truck? Are you wanting to raise it up in the back? If you go to 6-8 leafs out back your truck will probably ride like a dumptruck. Let us know more of what you are trying to accomplish.

greg0380 · 01-30-2006, 03:12 PM

haha, the reason one set has 4 springs and the other has 6 is because of me. I bent one side and threw in a 6 leaf spring set in a pinch!

The truck sits straight, but I want to be able to load more and not have it sag so much when I pull my boat. I currently have a 2 inch lift block under the rear springs.

greg0380 · 02-03-2006, 01:32 PM

ttt

corn · 02-13-2006, 07:33 PM

Heavy half is the 7 leaf pack & light duty is the 5 I believe. Thats counting the overload spring...

rodnut randy · 03-17-2006, 08:01 PM

what will fit, my problem is a 70 1/2 ton frame with 5 leaf springs. I try to buy new leaf springs and the axle alignment bolt is in middle (26in.) where mine is 24 from front to bolt and 28 from bolt to rear. also replacement is a 2 1/2 wide spring where mine is a 2 1/4 spring and a 2 1/2 will not fit in my hangers. my thought is my truck is screwed up, but why is it when I bought a new replacement front spring hanger for my truck it was the narrower setup. I think 2 spring mfg. I talked to do not have listing on 68 to 72 and one sold me 73 to 87 leafs.

qksilver · 03-18-2006, 11:48 PM

Use an air bag set up. It will level it with a load and won't punish you when empty

01-30-2006, 10:18 AM	#1
greg0380 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: CT Posts: 454	rear leaf springs, what will fit?? I have an 85 1/2 ton 2WD, and I want to replace the rear leaf springs. First question is, right now I have a mismatch setup, driver side has 6 leafs, passenger side has 4 leafs. Would this cause the rear to hop on acceleration?? Second question, what would fit? Most parts places specify 4 leafs, but I would like to go with 6 or 8 but they list them as for 4WD and i was told they wont fit. But as long as the measurement from eyelet to eyelet is the same wouldnt they work?? Aren't all the leaf springs for this year the same length? __________________ 1985 GMC Sierra 1500, 1/2 ton, 2WD, LWB, TBI 305 5 speed, 3.42 rear 2007 GMC Sierra 1500, xtended cab, 4X4, flexfuel 5.3L 1999 BMW 528i

01-30-2006, 03:12 PM	#3
greg0380 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: CT Posts: 454	Re: rear leaf springs, what will fit?? haha, the reason one set has 4 springs and the other has 6 is because of me. I bent one side and threw in a 6 leaf spring set in a pinch! The truck sits straight, but I want to be able to load more and not have it sag so much when I pull my boat. I currently have a 2 inch lift block under the rear springs. __________________ 1985 GMC Sierra 1500, 1/2 ton, 2WD, LWB, TBI 305 5 speed, 3.42 rear 2007 GMC Sierra 1500, xtended cab, 4X4, flexfuel 5.3L 1999 BMW 528i

02-03-2006, 01:32 PM	#4
greg0380 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: CT Posts: 454	Re: rear leaf springs, what will fit?? ttt __________________ 1985 GMC Sierra 1500, 1/2 ton, 2WD, LWB, TBI 305 5 speed, 3.42 rear 2007 GMC Sierra 1500, xtended cab, 4X4, flexfuel 5.3L 1999 BMW 528i

02-13-2006, 07:33 PM	#5
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: rear leaf springs, what will fit?? Heavy half is the 7 leaf pack & light duty is the 5 I believe. Thats counting the overload spring...

03-17-2006, 08:01 PM	#6
rodnut randy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	Re: rear leaf springs, what will fit?? what will fit, my problem is a 70 1/2 ton frame with 5 leaf springs. I try to buy new leaf springs and the axle alignment bolt is in middle (26in.) where mine is 24 from front to bolt and 28 from bolt to rear. also replacement is a 2 1/2 wide spring where mine is a 2 1/4 spring and a 2 1/2 will not fit in my hangers. my thought is my truck is screwed up, but why is it when I bought a new replacement front spring hanger for my truck it was the narrower setup. I think 2 spring mfg. I talked to do not have listing on 68 to 72 and one sold me 73 to 87 leafs. Last edited by rodnut randy; 03-18-2006 at 11:57 PM.

03-18-2006, 11:48 PM	#7
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: rear leaf springs, what will fit?? Use an air bag set up. It will level it with a load and won't punish you when empty

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