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Old 03-01-2013, 02:05 PM   #1
DBear
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K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Does anyone know what the factory front leaf springs under an '85 K30 look like? The frame I picked up for my build has a set on the front that really doesn't look stock....they are a 4-leaf pack. Here is a couple of pics...they seem to be maybe lift springs. Thanks in advance
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Old 03-01-2013, 02:15 PM   #2
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Not sure if this will help you or not but here is my 84 K30 C&C. It has 4 leafs on the front.
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Old 03-01-2013, 02:22 PM   #3
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Those look similar....but still seem to have some lift to them.
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Old 03-01-2013, 02:27 PM   #4
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Mine look sprung out of shape to me. I would think for being a K30 there would be more leafs myself. Of course I am sure it depends on what the trucks GWVR or whatever it is, is rated at.
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Old 03-01-2013, 03:30 PM   #5
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

i will have to check mine but i think it only has 3 and its the hd gvw. could be wrong on the lelfs.
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Old 03-01-2013, 04:11 PM   #6
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

I don't have time to read right now; see if it says something about how many leafs in here:

http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs...olet-Truck.pdf

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Old 03-01-2013, 04:30 PM   #7
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

I check those out a lot for info, but they dont ever list how many leafs....I wish they did though...thanks for the idea.
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Old 03-01-2013, 07:56 PM   #8
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Seems to me some on-line spring stores listed the number of leafs.
I was shopping for my old K-20, that had 3, listed the K-30 at 4.

I did try 2 extra leafs. 8' snowplow only dropped the nose 1/2" and rode worse than a buckboard. Those 2 leafs are sitting on the scrap pile now.
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Old 03-01-2013, 08:02 PM   #9
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

The stock K30 military CUCVs have 3 springs in front. when its light I will get you pics of my 83 K30 and My 86 K30 dump.
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Old 03-01-2013, 09:19 PM   #10
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

i had a similar question when i first bought my truck, brought it to a guy i know whose seen, and owned, and worked on a lot of these trucks and he says that original springs will have a negative arch and lift springs are either flat or have a positive curve in them, depending on the amount of lift. installed in the truck of course. hope this helps.
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Old 03-01-2013, 10:31 PM   #11
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Thanks for the replies guys......very helpful.

GM72, thanks for the picture and when u get a chance i would like to see the others too!
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Old 03-02-2013, 01:56 PM   #12
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

These Both are factory 3 leaf setups, first is a 83 K30 dually pickup, second is an 86 K30 dually C&C (my dump truck)
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Old 03-02-2013, 02:21 PM   #13
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Yep 3 leafs are stock, any more than that are added leafs by previous owners. You can usually tell the difference especially with an add a leaf since they don't usually follow the contour of the stock springs.
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Old 03-02-2013, 04:15 PM   #14
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

If you look in my photo above why does only one leaf wrap around the bushing and it has 4 leafs. The other photos of the three leaf has two leafs that wrap around. What is the difference there. Since mine has four then that means that it is rated for more weight?
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Old 03-02-2013, 05:57 PM   #15
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

rs74 , Your spring packs "may" have been fixed. My K-20 did come with 3 leaves and 2 wrapped.
What's the rating on the front end? Does the build sheet show HD suspension?
http://www.truckspring.com/suspensio...1985&model=K30
They show different leaves for the front, depending on weight rating. Just like rear springs, how many are in the pack?
My K-20 did have the HD package, more than likely due to the dealer installed snowplow.
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Old 03-02-2013, 06:38 PM   #16
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Re: K30 Front Leaf Spring Help

Not sure what it is rated at. When I bought the truck it had the glove box mixing so no SPID sticker. I haven't seen anywhere else where the rating would be stamped.
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