Any lifted K30's with stock (~3.5" thick) rear springs out there?
 

I recently changed the lifted height on my 86 K30 SRW. Before the changes, the truck had a 2" lift that the PO installed (front spring lift, rear blocks). It sat level with that lift.

After my modifications to the suspension, the truck sits higher in the back than the front. To give you some idea of the difference in back-to-front height the top of the bed at the tailgate is about 2" higher than the top of the bed just behind the cab. I want to level the truck's stance and that's where I need your opinions.

Here is what I did to change the lifted height:

Front:
-Replaced the old springs with 4" Tuff Country HD springs
-added 1" ORD zero rates

Rear:
-Removed the 2" blocks
-added 4" ORD shackle flip with 4" "super shackles"
-added 1" ORD zero rates
-Retained the stock spring pack, which measures about 3.5" tall

I'm wondering if the 454 and 8274 winch on the front end is enough to make the front springs sag by up to an inch? The Tuff Country website lists the spring rate for these spings at 495 lbs which I guess may or may not be stiff enough for the weight.

The other thing I should have done before buying parts was measure the rear springs, as they are 1.5" taller than those on my K5 and no doubt contributing to the "rear sits higher than the front" issue.

My thought at this point is to replace the front springs with Tuff Country EZ Ride 6" springs (spring rate is 465 lbs) then keep/remove the zero rates on the front/back as necessary to level the truck given that the new front springs may/may not sag a bit.

All opinions welcome, especially if you've dealt with this on a K30 with a similar set-up. I attached a picture, which really doesn't show the difference in ride height due to the rise in the ground it was sitting on (and yes, the tape and white nylon plug over the camper mirror holes is ridiculous - I'm in the process of fixing them which is a topic of a different thread).

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Re: Any lifted K30's with stock (~3.5" thick) rear springs out there?
 

Nice k30. That's how we like our trucks in Texas. Looks good the way it sits.
If I had to level it I would remove the overloads and the last few leaves in the rear. That kind of truck doesn't need to be worked hard, but if you leave most in the pack it can still hold its own.

Re: Any lifted K30's with stock (~3.5" thick) rear springs out there?
 

Thank you for the compliment. It is definitely a work in progress. When I got it it was leaking everything but the windshield washer fluid, and that's because there wasn't any left.

I guess I handn't thought much about removing leaves from the rear spring pack itself. To your point though, I can't say I have any plans to put anything of signifant weight in the back. From a work standpoint, this rig is retired...

Re: Any lifted K30's with stock (~3.5" thick) rear springs out there?
 

Personally I'd leave it the way it is. I love the look of the factory rake, but up high. Wish I would have went that route on my 83 when I had it. I had 6" springs up front and a 4" block with an add-a-leaf in the rear. It sat level, which was OK, but I like the factory stance (with regard to rake). Really nice truck by the way, I'd love a K30.

Re: Any lifted K30's with stock (~3.5" thick) rear springs out there?
 

All the K30's I have had lifted were like this.......
4" front springs, 2.5" rear blocks
6" front springs, 4" rear blocks

In most cases if rear springs are good you can run a 2" front spring to take the factory rake out of them. So generally speaking the rake has alot to do with the K30 rear spring pack. You could always swap the 4" shackle flip for ORD's 2.5" shackle flip.

Re: Any lifted K30's with stock (~3.5" thick) rear springs out there?
 

Pull the zero rate in the rear and use a lowering shackle if you want to get it down and not throw a ton of money at it. Personally, I think truck looks WAY better just a little raked to the front. If it were my truck, I'd leave it like it is, looks great.

Re: Any lifted K30's with stock (~3.5" thick) rear springs out there?
 

Nice lookin' rig, I'd leave it as is also unless you load it or pull a trailer.
I like a slight rake so that when loaded or hooked to a trailer it 'levels'
This one has a 6in DIY4X shackle flip on the rear & 6in springs on front. Is fairly level. Truck only has 20K actual miles so the rear springs aren't settled as much as higher mileage ones.