2006 3500 leaf spring question

[K85 Octane]

Looking to change the rear leaf springs in my fathers 2006 3500 GMC. I would like to throw some 1500 leafs in, just to smooth things out. We are no longer hauling an 11'3" camper, only trailers. The truck still has airbags. It is sooooo rough around the freeways of Los Angeles. Choppy doesn't come close

 

[sweetk30]

the 64" rears just got a extra leaf basicly in the packs as thay went up in gvw specs. so prob cheeper to just pull a leaf or 2 depd on the # of leafs in the pack now.

 

[K85 Octane]

well, I can get a pair of leafs for a cheap price right now, off CL. Are the bushing sizes etc the same from 1/2-1 ton?

 

[sweetk30]

bolt size to the hanger and shackles = yep.

 

[Avery4jc]

well, I can get a pair of leafs for a cheap price right now, off CL. Are the bushing sizes etc the same from 1/2-1 ton?

Why when you can just do what was suggested and pull a leaf or two?

My dodge has a really light rear spring pack (like 3 leaves) and I have bags. I really like the setup (especially with the extra weight from the service bed) because it rides great unloaded but with the bags aired up I can haul whatever I want without any issues.

 

[K85 Octane]

hmmm which leafs should I remove? I pulled some leaves from my suburban 56s, but they started out with 7 leaves, now 5. I think my fathers 3500 only has 5 or 6 leaves, so pulling even one leaf seems aggressive. I'm glad to hear big trucks can still run good with only 3 leaves.

I guess my hesitation stems from all the talk about removing leaves and damaging packs. Not to mention it's not my truck, just trying to give him a smoother ride. With my blazer, I couldn't care less, just go to a junkyard and pull some more.

 

[sweetk30]

top leafs are dd use range. farther down the pack is the load range leafs.

as to less leafs over older style its easy . leafs are thicker comp to older stuff.

and the 64" springs ride better than the older stuff anyday .