Question about stock springs

[Chadly]

1982 Jimmy, I thought I needed new front springs since mine are flat, but after reading through a lot of old posts I learned that they are actually negative arch springs. Mine are 3 leafs and there are actually gaps between the leafs. Do I need new springs? I wanted to make sure before i went and wasted my money.

My plan is to replace any worn suspension parts with stock height items and put on some 33 x 12.5 tires. Some people say they will rub, some say they wont, so if they do, I will worry about that when the time comes.

 

[4X4HIGH]

1982 Jimmy, I thought I needed new front springs since mine are flat, but after reading through a lot of old posts I learned that they are actually negative arch springs. Mine are 3 leafs and there are actually gaps between the leafs. Do I need new springs? I wanted to make sure before i went and wasted my money.

My plan is to replace any worn suspension parts with stock height items and put on some 33 x 12.5 tires. Some people say they will rub, some say they wont, so if they do, I will worry about that when the time comes.

That is the way they are from the factory. IIRC there are isolator pads between the springs at the end of each spring below the main leaf.

 

[Chadly]

OK, so I guess I dont need new springs?

 

[bigred88]

Wait a minute- you're saying that terrible looking negative arch my front springs have is factory?

I've been planning on replacing those for a while, thinking they were just that shot...

 

[4X4HIGH]

Wait a minute- you're saying that terrible looking negative arch my front springs have is factory?

I've been planning on replacing those for a while, thinking they were just that shot...

Negative arc springs on the later rigs is factory.

 

[bigred88]

Man, I never knew that. I think you just saved me a few hundred bucks...

 

[Chadly]

^^^^^^^
What he said. I found it in a post that was like 4 years old and did some google searching and sure enough they bend the "wrong" way.

 

[andyblack]

I think it was supposed to make them ride better. The more arch a spring has, the worse it will ride if the spring rates, metallurgy and all are the same (in theory at least).

 

[diesel4me]

Yep--negative arch up front on stock leafs--and standard duty front springs had only TWO lleafs,the three leaf ones are the H.D. version!...I ran a Fisher on many two leaf 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickups with no issues at all,despite them being 1/2" from the bump stops with the balde up!..but how 7/16" bolts in the rear swinging shackle hold up in the front springs baffles me,especially in a diesel or BB 3/4 & 1 ton truck!..