What's better, 2 leaf or 3 leaf front springs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70Chevy4x4Nut · 01-18-2004, 10:26 PM

I have 2 leaf front springs on my 70 4x4. How can I tell if the springs are weakened. They are the negative arch type and when I removed them they lay perfectly straight. Also when I looked in the LMC catalogue I saw that the 3 leaf springs were actually cheaper than the 2 leaf. Which do you guys prefer? If I find that the springs should be replaced, then I may just go with a 2.5" softride lift. I was trying to avoid any more expense right now and so I was leaving it stock height but I don't want to spend time on the old leafs if they are weak.

One more thing. Under each spring assembly there is a small spacer about 1/4" or 3/8" thick. Is this factory or did someone add this in, and I wonder why? It would add very little to the height.

Thanks everyone

**JIMs70GMC** · 01-19-2004, 08:05 PM

I had the 3 leaves on my truck with RPO "hd front springs" . They were negative also and were flat when I took them off to replace the bushings. I've since replaced them with 2" tuff country HD springs. The spacers sounds like an attempt to level the truck from side to side. One day I'll remove the 4th spring from each of my spring packs and make them softride, that's the only difference from tuff country HD and soft ride springs they add a 4th leaf. Definetly go w/ the soft ride springs.

70Chevy4x4Nut · 01-19-2004, 11:17 PM

Thanks Jim for the reply. How do you like the 2" lift? I thought that would be just right for 32" or 33" tires.

**JIMs70GMC** · 01-20-2004, 08:59 PM

It's ok, but stiff. I'm going to make them ez rides by taking out the shortest leaf. I ended up with about 3" of lift. That should drop it down closer too 2". Plenty of room for the 33s especially since my TSLs are closer to 34" tall.

01-18-2004, 10:26 PM	#1
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	What's better, 2 leaf or 3 leaf front springs? I have 2 leaf front springs on my 70 4x4. How can I tell if the springs are weakened. They are the negative arch type and when I removed them they lay perfectly straight. Also when I looked in the LMC catalogue I saw that the 3 leaf springs were actually cheaper than the 2 leaf. Which do you guys prefer? If I find that the springs should be replaced, then I may just go with a 2.5" softride lift. I was trying to avoid any more expense right now and so I was leaving it stock height but I don't want to spend time on the old leafs if they are weak. One more thing. Under each spring assembly there is a small spacer about 1/4" or 3/8" thick. Is this factory or did someone add this in, and I wonder why? It would add very little to the height. Thanks everyone

01-19-2004, 08:05 PM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I had the 3 leaves on my truck with RPO "hd front springs" . They were negative also and were flat when I took them off to replace the bushings. I've since replaced them with 2" tuff country HD springs. The spacers sounds like an attempt to level the truck from side to side. One day I'll remove the 4th spring from each of my spring packs and make them softride, that's the only difference from tuff country HD and soft ride springs they add a 4th leaf. Definetly go w/ the soft ride springs. __________________ 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

01-20-2004, 08:59 PM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	It's ok, but stiff. I'm going to make them ez rides by taking out the shortest leaf. I ended up with about 3" of lift. That should drop it down closer too 2". Plenty of room for the 33s especially since my TSLs are closer to 34" tall. __________________ 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

01-19-2004, 11:17 PM	#3
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	Thanks Jim for the reply. How do you like the 2" lift? I thought that would be just right for 32" or 33" tires.



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