leaf spring installation on an 87

[87fleetsidedude]

this is my first time changing leaf springs, seems fairly easy but is there anything that i should watch out for or any tips that might make it easier and faster?...also in the new springs there is one more leaf than stock...so will it make my truck sit un even?...and if it does can i take 2 unbroken leafs off the back and add them to the front to level my truck out?...thanks justin

[N2TRUX]

Nothing special other than your usual safety precautions. Make sure the truck is supported properly, etc.

I'm not sure what you mean about taking spring from the rear and adding to the front. Is this on a K10?

[87fleetsidedude]

it is a k10...well v10 technically but thats beside the point....im just curious if i can take one of the leafs out of the rear and put it on the front...like an add-a-leaf kit....i wasnt sure ifi could do that or if i will have to buy and actual add-a-leaf

[N2TRUX]

If the springs are the same width, yes you can do it. Since the rears have quite a bit of arch and the fronts are flat I have no idea of how much lift it might give.

I am moving this to the 4wd forum. Those guys might have some experience in the subject.

[87fleetsidedude]

ok...i guess i'll just have to see if not i'll just buy an add-a-leaf...thanks for moving by the way...i didnt know which forum to post in so i just figuered id go with this one =P

[msgross]

You are replacing front or rear leafs? The extra leaf will add to your height.

If you need to even up a truck a little you can also use a zero rate leaf, It adds 1" but doesn't affect ride quality... You can also place them in the front since the use the center pin to hold them to the remaining leafs...

ORD and DIY4x.com sell them

[87fleetsidedude]

i am replacing the rear springs...ill probably end up getting the zero rate springs...thanks msgross =).....


i got the broken side(right side) spring on today. ill out the other on tomorrow after school...i ran out of time today...goes pretty smoothly with an impact wrench =P....i hope thats not cheating haha

[msgross]

Heck no on cheating... be happy you don't have to torch the bolts out! I assume that your new springs have new bushings? Be sure to use all new hardware (nuts, bolts, U-bolts etc...)

[87fleetsidedude]

unfortunalty, no the springs didn't come with new bolts or anything....i had thought about that before i took the spring off but i figuered i would see what all the bolts and such looked like and if they needed replaced i'd have my buddy take me to napa so i could get some, but all the bolts looked good no stripped threads or anything so i just went ahead and reused them...i can always replace the bolts and stuff later too

[Walts_restoration]

if you put the rears on front, you need a 52" inch or 56" adapter for the front frame (kert at diy4x.com sells these rather nicely priced for a good product). Lots of guys run the rear springs on the front minus the overload, but you get into issues with pinion angle and shackles hitting the frame and ETC, id just get front lift springs unless you wanted crazy flex.