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K35 front lift

E

elacruze

1/2 ton status
Joined
Dec 23, 2003
Posts
121
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Location
SE Michigan
My '85 K3500 is about two inches higher in the rear than in front;
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/elacruze/pickup.JPG

I'd like to get about 2" more in the front springs-what's the easiest way to do this? I was thinking perhaps just add another 3rd leaf to the pack. It's a 2 ton, so it's already too stiff to worry about articulation issues. I know I could use an add-a-leaf, but I'd like to add a bit of travel rather than just height and tire clearance.

Eric
 
That thing is a great stock heavy truck. They all sit higher in the rear.....until you put some weight in it. Do you still use it as a work truck? If you are I'd have your springs rearched or custom packs made. This will get you lift and still be able to use the truck. If you want travel perhaps you need some softer springs or ar least swaybar disconnects.
 
It will see a lot more usage as a recovery/tow vehicle than for play-wheeling. There are plenty of spring shops around to re-arch or custom, but I'm a cheapskate and I worry about anyone who isn't a metallurgist/heat treat specialist making springs which will last. I don't want to soften the front, although swaybar disconnects and longer travel shocks will come to be sure my travel isn't limited but by the springs. I have a 12k Koenig hydraulic winch and custom bumper not shown in the pic which together weigh about 350lbs adding to the front dip.
Is crossover steering something I should consider with leafs and a 2 or 3" lift?
Any related information is appreciated.

Thanks
Eric
 
My crew cab had stock 3 leaf front sprigs and it sagged also. If it were me, I'd get a set of 2" lift spings for the front and let it fly. Crossover is good but not mandatory, the stock configuration should work just fine assuming the parts are good.
 
Yeah, special order fleet truck. 3900lb camper capacity, 4500f/6084rr GVRW.
GAWR.jpg
 
Uh, that doesnt make it a two ton truck. Dana 60 and 14 bolt rear have always been one ton, nothing more. About your original question, I would buy a new set of 2.5" springs instead of rearching or any of that.
 
GAWR stands for Gross Axle Weight Rating. That has to do with how much weight your axles can be loaded. It has nothing to do with the overall weight of the truck.
 
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GAWR stands for Gross Axle Weight Rating. That has to do with how much weight your axles can be loaded. It has nothing to do with the overall weight of the truck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly.

Also don't forget when you're looking at that 6k lbs capacity that some (if not all) of the vehicle's weight is also included in the same figure since the axle is already carrying that (in addition to payload).
 
OK you hotrods, go out to yours and see how much weight you can put in the bed-that's the camper weight information. Mine is 3197. I guess that makes it a 1.5985 ton. If this is the only point you can find to make yourselves experts on, your A sucks buttermilk. Who TF really cares?
 
[ QUOTE ]
OK you hotrods, go out to yours and see how much weight you can put in the bed-that's the camper weight information. Mine is 3197. I guess that makes it a 1.5985 ton. If this is the only point you can find to make yourselves experts on, your A sucks buttermilk. Who TF really cares?

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No problem, just trying to help. If you go shopping for those lift springs be sure to tell them you weant them for a 2 ton chevy, good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

BTW - my crew cab has a GVWR of 9200+, is it a 4.5 ton? /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif
 
The "ton" ratings are from back in the day when a 1/2 ton really only could carry 1000 lbs. Now they can carry much more than that depending on springs so those actual numbers and their meanings are just from long ago.

Both of my 1 ton's GVWRs are 9,200. Guess I better tell my parts guy I have a 4 ton truck the next time I go in for u joints, so he can give me one the size of a transmission.
 
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BTW - my crew cab has a GVWR of 9200+, is it a 4.5 ton? /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

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Actually you are shorting yourself, it's 4.6 ton...

My truck has a GVWR is 11000, so I have a 5.5 ton K3500. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Dude, two things:

1) It's a 1-ton. stock K30/K35 = 1 ton, no matter what that sticker says (unless you put Rockwells under it or something).

2) You have 27 posts. I'm not saying post count measures your knowledge of trucks, but coming on here, being relatively new, and then being stubborn about accepting advice as well as calling people names will not earn you brownie points. /forums/images/graemlins/deal.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
OK you hotrods, go out to yours and see how much weight you can put in the bed-that's the camper weight information. Mine is 3197. I guess that makes it a 1.5985 ton. If this is the only point you can find to make yourselves experts on, your A sucks buttermilk. Who TF really cares?

[/ QUOTE ]

Too bad you have to go out with a bang like this. Would have been nice to have another K30/35 member along with myself. If I were you, I would apologize and get on with life. Don't second guess anybody on this site because most of us know what we are talking about. If you seriously doubt us, go to your local GM dealership and personally ask them what GAWR or GVWR stands for. Then when you get the answer, we will be waiting for your apology and accept you into this site as a "regular" even though you have what...27 posts? What a shame. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif
 
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no honestly, two one ton axles=2 ton.. dontcha know? /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

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So a 5 ton military 6x6 truck would be a 15 ton? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif
 
of course.. /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif
 
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