Remove leafs from stock rear pack

[92yamaha]

Not sure if I'm just getting older, or the spring pack has gotten stiffer over time, but I need a solution to get the truck riding less like a dump truck.

I care more about ride quality than load capacity, and don't have time to put in new springs.

Anyone had experience removing a few leafs in a stock pack on a 1/2ton square body? Tips?

This is on an 84 K10.

Thanks.

 

[HankScorpio]

I have some skyjacker softride 4" lift springs in the back of my K5. They were originally in a k10 with a 3/4 axle swap. I pulled the overload and 1 more leaf. Did an axle swap on the blazer so the difference in height didn't effect me. Rode a lot better than the old pickup did with them. I now have too stiff of a shock on so I am not fully enjoying the benefit yet.

 

[rampage]

What brand of shocks do you have and their condition?

 

[92yamaha]

I have some skyjacker softride 4" lift springs in the back of my K5. They were originally in a k10 with a 3/4 axle swap. I pulled the overload and 1 more leaf. Did an axle swap on the blazer so the difference in height didn't effect me. Rode a lot better than the old pickup did with them. I now have too stiff of a shock on so I am not fully enjoying the benefit yet.

I'm thinking I can pull the overload and 1 leaf (just a 3-leaf pack) and I might notice a difference.

 

[92yamaha]

What brand of shocks do you have and their condition?

I put a brand new set of Monroe OESpectrum shocks on it. I know they're not high-end, but a lot better than the 15yr old air shocks that were on it.

 

[Bent77]

3 might be too soggy. but try and see

this is also going to change some geometry


And those shocks may be new, but they may be too stiff

 

[HankScorpio]

I considered pulling 2 intermediate leaves and leaving the overload. Figured this would soften things up but the overload would take over when needed. In the end I did not go this way and it works fine. I have way more than 3 leaves to play with. (6 I think?)

 

[sweetk30]

if you pull leave start at the bottom of the pack area . also if pulling more than 1 leaf per pack skip every other to let the pack fan out better . to short a leaf under the 1 above it can bend it .

also if your thinking what to do if to soft for work loads like trailer and such . look at timbren bump stops or firestone air bags .

but also pulling apart the pack 1 side at a time and not mixing up the end to end of the leafs . then sand / grind / clean up / paint them . reassemble and install new anti squeak pads if there gone or worn out and enjoy a better ride already . the old rust / dirt can make them bind up and not flex . i just did this on BUDGET BEATER build and WOW what a difference it made in the almost new but rusty rear packs i had in there .

 

[Blue85]

Pulling the overload has no effect on ride quality unless you're talking really big bumps. It doesn't do anything until the spring starts to squat. However, you do lose 3/4" of ride height from pulling it, just due to its thickness. Some people do the opposite and add an extra overload just to get the height back when pulling leaves. If you have extra springs or parts you can cut an overload short and have a cheap/free "zero rate". Also works if you want more flex and never expect big loads, although 52's are famous for flattening if you flex them a lot and often.

Pulling the overload and another leaf will sink the back of the truck more than an inch. Will that look and work OK?

If the leaves are touching the overload near ride height, that spring is likely shot. Also, why do you suspect the rear springs cause the ride problems? It's more often from worn fronts hitting the bumpstops. How much clearance is there up front right now?