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Leaf Spring swap

J

jnsn

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Hi Folks. I am starting to get a sag in the rear of my 87 Chevy 1/2 ton. I have been considering what to do- Add-a-leaf, Overload bolt-on, new springs... Anyway, a friend suggested that I simply get a set of take-off 3/4 leafs and swap them. He said that you can even leave the top leaf as it is attached to the shackles, and thus you only have to replace the u-bolts and the center pin and the shocks. I measured a handy 3/4 and found that indeed the perches are the same distance apart. Is this plan foolhardy or hopelessly thrifty? Has anybody done this hillbilly lift?

It would seem to add about 4" of lift. I'm unsure if there would have to be any steering correction in the front-perhaps a new pitman? On a few of the lift sites they seem to be saying that the steering mods start above 4".

Thanks for any input -John
 
I'm going to do this swap this summer when I upgrade to 3/4 ton suspension. If you are just replacing them with stock 3/4 ton springs, they won't lift the rear much, mostly the extra leafs.
Make sure to measure the distance from spring eye to spring eye when you look for the new springs. Most 3/4 tons are 56", most likely your springs are 52". You can move the rear shackle hanger back a few inches to fit the 56" springs though, but it requires drilling out some rivets.
 
So you're saying you can switch out the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton suspension, and it will lift the truck a tad, but you will need to fab some new holes for the peices? This sounds intriguing. I might want to do that!

http://my85silverado.tripod.com/
 
Actually my truck already has the holes for some reason, but my brother's '78 C20 doesn't have the holes for 52". I wonder if 1/2 tons get the both sets of holes predrilled from the factory?
 
Maybe its not a representative sample but the three 3/4 tons that I have measured is the same 52" between the bolts. I also have a 75 3/4 with a rotting body and the difference off the ground is 4". Next time I look I will count the leafs. It also looks as though it would be simpler to buy new bolts/shackles so that you could just cut them away rather than fight 20 years of rust.
 
your friend is right 3/4 ton springs is the best thing to do. it will make the rear stifer but it really doesent matter.

Hunter C. Todd :)
(801)562-5941
 
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