How do I know if my rear springs are worn out?

[jrblanke]

I have been trying to decide which lowering kit to put on my truck (3/4 or 4.5/6). I was ready to place the order for the 4.5/6 kit and thought that I should actually measure what height the truck is at now. I am glad I did, because I think I discovered that my rear springs may be sagging. The truck has factory style P235/75R/15 tires.

Here are the measurements I took from the lip of the finder to the ground.

Front right (pictured) - 31 5/8"
Front left - 31 3/8"
Rear Right -(pictured) - 30 7/8"
Rear left - 31 3/8"

I thought the rear of the truck would be higher. Does anyone know what the stock rear height should be? Based on these measurements and the picture below, do you think the springs are worn out?

I don't want to order the kit until I know if I need to replace the springs. 3" spindles, removing 1/2 a coil on the front springs and a rear shackle/hanger kit would put all 4 fender lips at about 27" from the ground. I measured the tires to be roughly 28" in diameter. I don't want the rear of the truck to look like it sits lower than the front.

Shifting from looks to practicality, would some Big 10 springs be good to replace the stock springs? (Truck will see light duty, maybe some mulch every now and then, or towing a small trailer).


Her is a picture of it as it sits.




These pictures show the springs. I took these after I got the truck just to document it's condition at the time of purchase.