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How many leaves per pack for front 56" springs?

Russell

Russell

3/4 ton status
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Working on a 56" spring front front and rear on the K5. How many leaves do I want to leave in the front spring packs? I am not running overloads, and since these springs are from a 3/4 ton, I definitely want to take a few out.

Also, should I be putting bolts back through the little alignment brackets that are riveted to the bottom most spring? Seems like they would big time limit droop, and I am going for maximum flex.

My truck has a turbo 6.2L diesel / NV4500 / NP241 and a 3/4 ton 10 bolt front differential, just to give you an idea of how much weight I have up front.
 
I got my 56s out of a 1 ton chev, and they had about 12 leafs plus another overload U bolted to the top. IT WAS HUGE!!! (had to weigh about 100lbs a pack)

I am currently running 7 leafs in my front pack and they flex like no other!!! (with no overload). Personally I think 6 is the bare minimum you should be running, ya don't want to put too much stress on the main leaf.
 
that bolt keeps you from hanging all of your front axle weight on the main leaf, ask cegusman what he thinks about it, I know he has snapped at least 1 main leaf on his K5 just messing around with his rig. He broke his rear pack though
 
I'm only running 5 leaves in my 56" front pack. I used every other leaf starting from the main leaf, so it's a different spring rate than if you used the top 5 leaves out of a pack. Its way too soft. With the 6.2, the spring is all of an inch from being flat at ride height.

And definitely put a bolt in the keepers. You'll have tons of flex with them in, and they keep the pack from fanning out. A month ago, I somehow managed to flex the truck out, AND have a rock pressing sideways against my passenger front spring. No bolts in the retainers, and it just bent them out of the way and completely fanned the leaf out. sucks. The fix is easy enough, but a pain in the butt. Flex out the truck as absolutely far as you can so that corner is hanging in the air, and beat the leaves straight with a hammer.
 
i'm running the 5 longest leaves, but haven't had a chance to flex them out yet, they seem real soft and will probably add 1 or 2 we'll see...
 
I have 56"s on all four. and im currently running 7 leaves front and back with 7 inch shackles seems like it will ride decent but all ive driven so far is around the yard and out in the pasture. still running on stock steering, cross over coming soon.
 
I am running 56's frt & rear. i run 7 leafs in the front & 6 in the rear. It is border line too soft, & I wiegh less in the front than you w/ a Caddy 500.
 
When I get around to replacing the leaves in my truck (it's too soft, and they're slowly turning into S's) it will be 7 up front and 6 in the back.
 
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