Rear Leaf Springs - Late 80's, 90's

[dhcomp]

Ok. The rear springs in my 3/4 ton burb are shot. The drivers side rides a consistent 1" to 1.5" low. I checked for broken leaves, can't see any, but either way, i think i should replace these springs.

From my understanding, the rear springs on this truck are 2.5". I didn't have a tape handy, but measuring with my key, i think that is correct

What legnth are these springs? Is the spring legnth calculated eye to eye in a staight line, or eye to eye along the spring?

Are 3/4 ton burb and truck springs the same legnth? I am assuming they are approximately the same capacity. Is that a bad assumption?

Have the spring sizes changed on the 90's trucks vs. the 80's trucks? I know my 91 woudl fall into the 80's vintage.

I am trying to find the easiest source for the springs i need. Any truck that isn't totally abused woudl be a good source, as my truck has 215k on it now.

Thanks guys!

Although i want to improve the lean, i also am going to add Zero Rates in the rear, and figure i might as well do both at once and not buy u bolts twice. Want to level the rear and gain a little bit of tire clearance. I would be upgrading to greasable bushings. I have my eye on a set of 295/70/17 Nitto Grapplers .

 

[dremu]

They are probably 56", as opposed to 52", springs. IIRC, that's measured along the arc and not straight from eye, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyway, it's one of the two; measure both ways and see whatcha get. Do use a tape, though, and not your key stacked end-on-end

In theory any 3/4+ 73-87/91 truck could be a donor, depending on which size, but yes, there are lots of variations.

If they're 56"s I'd get a set from a 1-ton, the ones with nine or ten leaves, 'cuz then you can fine-tune ride height by adding and removing leaves.

-- A

 

[dhcomp]

So are the 90's body style, same size spring?

I really don't want to play with leaf springs, in terms of adding/remving leaves. So i'm thinking a 1 ton will be really stiff.

The easiest to find for me will be 90's and newer trucks.

 

[dremu]

So are the 90's body style, same size spring?

I really don't want to play with leaf springs, in terms of adding/remving leaves. So i'm thinking a 1 ton will be really stiff.

The easiest to find for me will be 90's and newer trucks.

I was referring to 88-91 Suburbans; the "new body style" 88+ trucks (the IFS rigs) have longer rear springs.

If you're down Milpitas-ish, pop over to Newark/Fremont, see Scott, and run over the pick-n-poop there. Lots of older trucks. If you're Davis side, ping Isaam "Iceman", as he always has parts

And if you don't want to fiddle with the packs, you could replace 'em with another set of 3/4's, or just get a EZ Inch / Zero Rate.

-- A

 

[imiceman44]

Ok. The rear springs in my 3/4 ton burb are shot. The drivers side rides a consistent 1" to 1.5" low. I checked for broken leaves, can't see any, but either way, i think i should replace these springs.

From my understanding, the rear springs on this truck are 2.5". I didn't have a tape handy, but measuring with my key, i think that is correct

What legnth are these springs? Is the spring legnth calculated eye to eye in a staight line, or eye to eye along the spring?

Are 3/4 ton burb and truck springs the same legnth? I am assuming they are approximately the same capacity. Is that a bad assumption?

Have the spring sizes changed on the 90's trucks vs. the 80's trucks? I know my 91 woudl fall into the 80's vintage.

I am trying to find the easiest source for the springs i need. Any truck that isn't totally abused woudl be a good source, as my truck has 215k on it now.

Thanks guys!

Although i want to improve the lean, i also am going to add Zero Rates in the rear, and figure i might as well do both at once and not buy u bolts twice. Want to level the rear and gain a little bit of tire clearance. I would be upgrading to greasable bushings. I have my eye on a set of 295/70/17 Nitto Grapplers .

Your springs should be 56", I have a set from a 3/4 ton truck.

They have an add a leave in them, but you might want to take it out and just put a zero rate.
either way, they are good springs.
Let me know, they are still on the truck which is down to frame now.

 

[dremu]

Your springs should be 56", I have a set from a 3/4 ton truck.

They have an add a leave in them, but you might want to take it out and just put a zero rate.
either way, they are good springs.
Let me know, they are still on the truck which is down to frame now.

See, I told you

-- A

 

[imiceman44]

See, I told you

-- A

Oh by the way, you don't have to come all the way to Lincoln, they are in my other house in Elk Grove.

 

[dhcomp]

I was referring to 88-91 Suburbans; the "new body style" 88+ trucks (the IFS rigs) have longer rear springs.

If you're down Milpitas-ish, pop over to Newark/Fremont, see Scott, and run over the pick-n-poop there. Lots of older trucks. If you're Davis side, ping Isaam "Iceman", as he always has parts

And if you don't want to fiddle with the packs, you could replace 'em with another set of 3/4's, or just get a EZ Inch / Zero Rate.

-- A

I'm actually in Fremont, and tried to meet up with Scott a week or so ago. I bought parts from his work, and he answered a bunch of questions over the phone.

Ok, so the IFS trucks have the wrong springs.

Iceman - Ended up in a bunch of mud this weekend, was very glad i had switched to those warn premiums! What condition are the springs you have in? Approx miles? I am ordering an zero rate, but really, an add a leaf would work - not like the rear of this thing is going to ride much stiffer.

I've been in the bay area, but might be in Elk Grove on Friday morn. Let me know if you'll be around, and maybe we can meet up.

Thanks Guys!

 

[imiceman44]

I'm actually in Fremont, and tried to meet up with Scott a week or so ago. I bought parts from his work, and he answered a bunch of questions over the phone.

Ok, so the IFS trucks have the wrong springs.

Iceman - Ended up in a bunch of mud this weekend, was very glad i had switched to those warn premiums! What condition are the springs you have in? Approx miles? I am ordering an zero rate, but really, an add a leaf would work - not like the rear of this thing is going to ride much stiffer.

I've been in the bay area, but might be in Elk Grove on Friday morn. Let me know if you'll be around, and maybe we can meet up.

Thanks Guys!

PM'ed you

 

[imiceman44]

I'm actually in Fremont, and tried to meet up with Scott a week or so ago. I bought parts from his work, and he answered a bunch of questions over the phone.

Ok, so the IFS trucks have the wrong springs.

Iceman - Ended up in a bunch of mud this weekend, was very glad i had switched to those warn premiums! What condition are the springs you have in? Approx miles? I am ordering an zero rate, but really, an add a leaf would work - not like the rear of this thing is going to ride much stiffer.

I've been in the bay area, but might be in Elk Grove on Friday morn. Let me know if you'll be around, and maybe we can meet up.

Thanks Guys!

The IFS trucks don't have the wrong springs, but they have 63" springs which can be adapted to your burb but will require a little more than just swapping springs.
They will give you a smoother ride though, and if you happen to want to try that, I have a set