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02-10-2018, 10:41 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Missouri
Posts: 282
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1985 K30 spring choice
I'm replacing front and rear springs on my "85 reg cab 454 K30 pickup. My plan is to go with a 4 leaf 1900 up front and either 9/1 3955 or 8/1 3500 at the rear. Right now my truck measures 37" at the front and 39" at the rear fender wells. Compared to the 3500 spring, Is the the 3955 spring going to raise the pickup any higher or just a harsher ride? My goal is to level it out some. I'm looking at General Springs.
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02-10-2018, 11:22 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Euless, Texas
Posts: 519
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
Belated
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1974 Cheyenne 10 LWB Stock 350 W/HEI /TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet Mopar by Birth Chevy by Choice |
02-11-2018, 09:15 AM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Missouri
Posts: 282
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
Thanks, good to be here!!!
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02-11-2018, 09:28 AM | #4 |
F’B’D guy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Texas/Maine
Posts: 2,234
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
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02-11-2018, 09:30 AM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: horseheads,ny rust belt
Posts: 2,794
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
more leafs and weight capacity = harder ride .
my k30 build i am doing 2600lbs rear springs from a light duty suburban and then a set of firestone air bags to get me more when i need it so my ride is NICE . and the bags will get me more in the end than just the HD springs in the rear would . but it will ride so much nicer .
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77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
02-11-2018, 10:52 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Independence MO.
Posts: 7,705
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
I have bought several sets of springs from General spring. I put the 3 leaf ones on my K/30 (it's in storage so I don't have the part number) but it did bring the front up just a bit. Here's a picture right after they were installed.
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72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale |
02-11-2018, 05:16 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Campbellsville, KY
Posts: 888
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
I've only bought two sets of springs from General, but I'm pleased with both so far. I put 3,900 pounders under the rear of my C3500 - I can't say how much it increases ride height over the 3,500's because my old springs were shot, but it came up at least 3" and takes exactly 3,000 lbs. in the bed to level the truck out. Empty weight is exactly 5,300 lb. (Though once again I've not changed the front springs yet so it's likely sitting a little lower than original in the front.) I wouldn't say the ride got a lot harsher, but definitely more stable and sure-footed.
I don't have any straight-on side shots of it unloaded but here it is with a ton and a half of gravel in the back. The springs are about 3 years old with 15,000 mi.? on them but I don't believe they've sagged any mentionable amount. If you want me to pull some measurements off it PM me.
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Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue. |
02-11-2018, 11:01 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: horseheads,ny rust belt
Posts: 2,794
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
nice truck man
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77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
02-23-2018, 11:11 AM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Missouri
Posts: 282
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
Thanks for the replies, a lot of good help on this site!
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04-14-2019, 07:55 PM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Missouri
Posts: 282
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
Finally getting to work on my truck and decided to add a 2 1/2 lift with 33's, going to use Skyjacker C125 CK B with new 8/1 leaves in rear with 2" blocks. My truck is a 454 with AC, so I'm guessing it'll raise 2"? Anyone know if I'll have to use a drop pitman arm or lengthen the front driveshaft?
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04-20-2019, 08:08 PM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Missouri
Posts: 282
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
New springs and shackles from General Springs and U bolts and saddles from ATSspring both companies were GREAT to deal with, no problems. Had time to do 1 side today, raised truck about a half inch. Going to order the front springs this week, having 2nd thoughts on a lift kit.
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04-20-2019, 10:46 PM | #12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central OR
Posts: 729
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
Man! You did need new springs.
My spring story starts at the end of page 1. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=643974
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1955 GMC 250 8 Flatbed 1971 C30 157" 350 4spd 10' Flatbed 81 GMC K30 CnC 9' Flatbed 454 T400 89 GMC Jimmy Stock https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810958 71 LT1 Convertible, 72 Coupe 69 CJ5, 75 CJ6, 67 M715, 72 M35A2 Bobbed, 95 XLC2 |
04-21-2019, 10:25 AM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Missouri
Posts: 282
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Re: 1985 K30 spring choice
Yeah, I bought an old farm truck, gravel roads and pulling stock trailers it's whole life. Good idea on drilling the saddles, I'll do that to mine when I install the GOV LOK rear this Summer, it's still under a parts suburban. You do impressive work and seek out the good deals!
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