Correct way to measure lift height

[53chevy]

On the front end of my truck i currently have the stock springs on which has a " negitive arch", my lift spings i do not know the "built" lift height , and they currently are off the truck. Measuring the arch in the center of the spring it is about 12.5 ", so on the truck im thinking they will squat down to 11"-12". im ready to call ord to do my cross over steering order but need to know my hight .

 

[nvrenuf]

(probably) Most of the feedback you'll get will be measurements of spring installed with weight on them.

Do you have any idea of what they are supposed to be? 4" or 12" or..?

I dont think ORD makes separate drag links for each size lift offered. I believe the ORD kits fit ranges of lift so if you know a ballpark size (4" or 6", 8" or 10", etc ) you'll probably be ok.

 

[super k]

This is an age-oldproblem with buying used springs with unknlwn lift. You can only guess or compare to the exact spring of known lift. I don't think there's a way to measure springs off the truck. Springs that look the same can have different rates and will drop differently when installed. Even shackle motion plays in. Is their any ID stamped into them?
Got pictures? Might could help

 

[plyr2k]

I'm going to say they are 8" springs. Ateast that's somewhere to start. Are the leave square or tapered at the end of each leaf?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

As mentioned the free arch doesn't tell you how much lift the spring will give, you would also need to know the spring rate and how heavy the truck is so you can know how much the spring will compress under the weight of the truck.

But, assuming those aren't custom made springs of some sort, I can practically guarantee that they are 10" or 12" Superlift springs.