Spring rate for replacement springs?

[Stomis]

Well I put the welder on the back of my gmt400 and the back springs are screaming between the welder, flatbed, and tools. Ive gotta do something with it. I called for 3/4ton lift springs and my speed shop guy told me they list at 195lb per inch. Ive been trying to find a comparison to the stock spring rating but Ive had zero luck digging it up. Anyone have any insight? I dont really know whats stiff and whats light for a spring. Ive always just used factory springs in some capacity but now I need a heavier spring and need to make sure I dont go ordering a 1/2ton lift spring when I need more capacity.

Im also looking at add a leafs too.

 

[dyeager535]

Wish I could get the page to load for me, but I recall these folks having a pretty good listing of spring rates they offered, I believe they may have even included stock.

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/ordering/parts-lookup/

 

[Stomis]

I tried it. All I got out of it basically is that the lift springs are 1/2 ton rate. My springs are 210, the lift springs are 195. I think I might go to the junkyard and find some 3/4ton heavy springs or even 1 tons and maybe put an add a leaf in them.

 

[sweetk30]

64" rears have few main leaf only diffrences in thickness.

the main pack is 2/3/4/5 leaf total + overload.

thay all ride good so best to just go 5 leaf 1ton .

you will find that 1 ton leafs will be cheeper lots of times as most people wana upgrade over light duty .

also if you want same ride but full adjustable go firestone airbag kit . best bang for the buck . I have never had a customer say they didn't like the air bag kit . but have had heavy leaf install / add-a-leaf / stiffer springs install jobs come back and say the ride sucks . can be faster to install and also cheeper to buy over pair of leafs .

the air bag kits can hold up to 5k extra dependant on the model kit you get . and if you go this route get the real back not the babby light end ones that only do 1500-2k lbs .

should be this kit . http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fip-2025/overview/year/1993/make/chevrolet/model/k1500

junkyard budget route I have done for some and left the main in the current truck and just made my own heavy pack by mix-matching from original and jank yard set . 2 new center pins and 4 ubolts and bam done.

 

[Stomis]

I think Im just gonna pick up a 9 leaf pack and take out what is overdoing it. At least my local junkyard has 9 leaf packs listed for sale. Are you sure they only come 2/3/4/5?

 

[sweetk30]

88-up = no more than 5 leaf + overload factory I have seen .

if you try and use older 56" stuff the other leafs will be way to short and stress the ones above them .

if mix-n-match try and keep spacing at ends of leafs like factory does . otherwise to long and match up = no real gain . if to big a gap and short from one above it stresses the one above it and creates a week point .

 

[Stomis]

Hmmm. I'm gonna have to figure out Wtf they're talking about then. Even car-part.com has 6/7/9 leaf packs listed.

 

[Stomis]

Ah I figured out wtf they are talking about. 6 leaf main pack with a 3 leaf auxiliary.

So Im gonna yank the auxiliary and I think I'll be golden.

 

[sweetk30]

aux be upper add on with frame hanger ears to add also .

I have hardly ever seen the 3 leaf extra in many years of working on trucks . in the newer body style.

 

[Stomis]

aux be upper add on with frame hanger ears to add also .

I have hardly ever seen the 3 leaf extra in many years of working on trucks . in the newer body style.

I wound up with a plain 6 leaf SRW one ton pack. I didnt want the aux leafs anyway.