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1 ton leaf springs

J

jwobbs

1/2 ton status
Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Posts
137
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Location
Fargo, ND
Hey everyone, I have a question and would like some insight, as always, opinions are welcome :) I have an 87 suburban and am currently in the process of bringing it back to stock ride height due to how much highway driving I do with it as my hunting rig. I want this vehicle to be my end all be all for pulling as well, which brings me to my question. I picked up a 1-ton set of rear leaf springs on the cheap, 52"s so they will fit, and want to know if and how much higher than stock these springs will ride. They are 8 leaves and an overload currently. Also, any opinions on what ride quality to expect and ways to better that ride quality are welcome. With those rears I also got a well used set of front 3 leaf packs. I searched and read through quite a few threads on those but feel free to chime in with how those will ride as well. I know the height should be the same or about a 1/2" higher than the 2 leaf packs due to the addition of the 3rd leaf. I don't get this rig all flexed out, but It does find its way offroad and I spend alot of time in it, so comfortability is important. Thanks for the help guys.

Some stats. . . . currently running 3" tc ez rides front and rear on 14b ff rear and stock 10 bolt front converted to 8 lugs, discs all around, and 305 70r16 duratracs.
 
Ride height is going to be impacted by spring rate, and how much weight is on the spring. Pretty much impossible to say X spring will give you Y ride height unless the application (to include load) is identical.

If the fronts are used, they may ride terribly. Mine (3 leafs) were constantly on the bumpstops, made it feel like I had no springs at all. I trimmed the stock bumpstops down about an 1" and it made the ride immensely better.
 
Yea, I know there are alot of variables that will play in the ride height, just looking for a general idea from someone who has ran 1 ton leafs, I just don't have any experience with them. Thanks for the tip on the bump stops, will have to do that if they really sag when I put the front leafs in. Also, I don't know any info about these springs, such as spring rate, other than they are early 80's 1 ton springs, but any opinions on removing a couple leaves for ride quality? Or stick with the stock pack and buy some thanks again for the ideas.
 
jwobbs said:
... I picked up a 1-ton set of rear leaf springs on the cheap, 52"s so they will fit...
Click to expand...

1 Ton springs will be 56" so double fitment before tesaring your truck down.
 
Hmm. . . I got them and measured them, they are 52s. I called a spring guy here and he said they did have 1 ton 52s but were pretty rare. Maybe mine are just heavy packed 3/4 tons? But they for sure are 8 leaf pack 52s. Either way they should work for me, just not sure if I should pull leaves or not, and if a set of bilsteins will help the ride of them.
 
I'm interested to see other responses, everything I've ever seen / read puts 56's on 1 tons.
 
Yea, I think 56s were more common, but I'm just going off what I've seen under buddies veh's. 80, how does that k30 ride? Obviously the sub is different, but it'll give me an idea.
 
Mine is a 79. It rides pretty nice, of course I do have 39.5s with 20 psi in them. Not sure what the 82 has for sure but I thought I measured and it has 52s as well.
 
Well everything I found does say 56, heck I should measure tomorrow. I am sure they are 52s.
 
I have never seen 52's on a 1 ton. 52's came on 1/2 tons and some lighter duty 3/4 tons.

Most 3/4 tons and all 1 tons came with 56" rear springs as far as I know. They are measured eye to eye, along the arch of the top leaf.
 
Yea, I measured along the arch, they are definitely 52s. Either way they will work my my application I think. Did 3/4 ton springs come in that thick of a pack? I wish I had some more info but the guy I got them from had no idea other than he was sure they were 1 tons, but people are wrong and confident all of the time. So is your guess they are 3/4 ton springs? They don't look Tampered with at all, ie they look like they originally came with that many leaves. . . Well best way to find out about them is to just put them in and try em out. Keep the ideas coming. Right now I am running Sx8000 tc shocks all around, will they cut it with these springs? Never ran bilsteins but obviously after reading all the threads on them people like them, just not sure I'm ready to make the purchase if these will cut it right now.
 
you could get 52 " in aftermarket over the 3-4-5 leaf factory up to 7 or 8 leaf for bolt in replacment.

but factroy 1ton is 56"


and if me anymore and have the cash soft riding springs and firestone ride rite air bag helper kit is the winner . ride softer and just fill up as needed for extra load capacity . then done drop back down.

i have installed lots of f/s air bag kits over the years. just did one last week . :D
 
That makes sense. I don't know why it never crossed my mind before, but the air bag set up might be the best choice for me, that way I can keep the better ride when not towing anything. So firestone's is the one you would recommend eh? Any direction for some good quality and ride leaf springs? Heard good things about ord, or should I just get a set of stock? Thanks for the input guys.
 
air bag kit works on non lifted setups. but i have made / modifyed them with ease to fit lifted stuff.

the one last week was 6" in a toyota tundra. had to extend the side plate down to the axle tube. took less than 30 min with 2 peices of 3/16" plate 1 per side and welder.

others just made spacer to lift bag up off bottom bracket or down off frame bracket.

and hands down just best option out there if you ask me for the money and ride. most are no drill or 1-2 holes mabye . the toyota was no drill. did a s-10 set few months ago had 4 holes 2 per side. he later said he had 2000 lbs in the back and 25psi in them and worked perfect. he runs around 10 psi unloaded for the level look on his 2wd s-10 as most sit low .

and as for good ride and stock look for 5 leaf spring for good load but not to stiff . and then bag kit over that be perfect. ord or any local spring shop should get you what you want.

these spring #'s will be used system wide any spring shop should know them.

52" spring # 22-403 2350 lbs per spring pack
56" spring # 22-547 2600 lbs per pack lightest in 56"

and if you want MASSIVE in 56" 22-617hd 4650 lbs per pack and add helper # 22-467 for 1050 lbs per pack more. :eek1::doah::bow:

firestone kit and free shipping http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FIP-2100/?rtype=1 . 4 holes per side to drill is all. and need 7 1/2" tire side wall to frame rail clearence to fit . and click for install directions http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/fip-rrin2100.pdf
 
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Awesome info, thanks a lot. I like the idea of going with the 5 leafs and bags on top. I'm planning on holding on to my 3" tc ez rides in case I ever get the itch to lift it again, but at least it sounds like I can modify the bags to work with them no problem. Appreciate the help and pn's.

How do you like that 5.3/4l60 set up your running? That's on the list for next summer in between hunting seasons. . .
 
havent fired it yet. rolling frame is done but body paint needed and final assembly.

and check your spring length in the truck / burban now. bolt to bolt stright should be 1" or so under the 52 or 56" spec. best be sure before you buy the wrong springs.

and glad i could help.
 
Yea, just read through the thread, looking good though! Yea I measured, I've got 52s in there for sure. Thanks again.
 
i ran a set of leaf 52 new stock style on a 4" flip kit and 1" block on my old half ton . rode good even with 1tons and 38" tires.

you should like them just fine. and glad you double checked the rear length . :thumb: i hate makin 2 trips or buyin 2 times. :doah:
 
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