replace/repair worn leaf springs

[54chevytruck]

I have a 54 3100 pickup that has been heavily modified, it weighs at least 3 tons, but still has the original 1954 leaf springs which are not doing so well (see pics)

https://docs.google.com/a/oceaneerin...5QRUc5X1E/edit

https://docs.google.com/a/oceaneerin...FWRHpjelk/edit

https://docs.google.com/a/oceaneerin...o4T21ZNjA/edit

https://docs.google.com/a/oceaneerin...dDOVJKMEE/edit

the front springs are bending the wrong way and the rear leafs are completely flat...

I cant really afford to spend much on this, so i am hoping someone can give me a good solution to this problem.

[truckdude239]

Find somewhere to have the rearched

[54chevytruck]

my understanding is that rearching can help, but with all the metal fatigue that is already in the leaves, it wont do that much

[dwcsr]

If it truly is 3 tons then is about a ton over the spring rates and all the re arcing in the world won't help. The truck originally was just under 2T and that suspension is most likely the same rate. You need to upgrade the springs. What suspension is under it?

[54chevytruck]

Dave, i don't really understand your question, but i will try to answer it.

This truck was originally built to do just about anything. it has a sbc400 4L80e tranny with a np203 transfer case. the front has 2 monroe-matic truck shocks per side that are mainly just holding the truck up... the rear has 2 shocks at an angle per side, on vertical shock, and firestone heavy duty airbags(can be seen in the last pic).

the truck rides like a brick right now... every small bump feels like it is tearing the truck apart.

my plan is to take off one of the shocks per side on the front once the leafs are fixed and take the bags off the rear.

[dwcsr]

There were no 4x4's in 54 other than a NAPCO, yours is not a NAPCO so what drive line is it from and what were the springs out of.

I suspect that they used late model (70's up ) axles and parts and used 54 springs. The reason it ride like a brick is the springs hit the frame bumpers each time you hit a bump.

I see 4 shocks, air bags, leaf springs and a sway bar on the back. 4 shocks and springs on the front. Thats a lot of suspension. I'd be willing to bet you could remove most all that and use a good set of springs all the way around. I Am wondering what that structure is near what looks like the gas tank.

[OrrieG]

some pics from farther away showing the housing and front inside axle ends will help id the suspension. some later 4wd did have relatively flat fryont springs to keep overall height down, the po may have swapped those in.
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[54chevytruck]

there are actually 6 shocks on the rear(cant see the front ones)

the structure in question is the base of a hydraulic bed lift

the brake mastercylinder is out of a 79 1/2 ton chevy 4wd truck(donor truck where several parts came from) the axles are off a 1 ton, but not sure what from
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[dwcsr]

Do you know why there are so many shocks? was it trying to cure an issue?

[54chevytruck]

I think it was the mindset that the more you have, the better for towing and mudding...
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[mr48chev]

On the springs, you will have to have a custom set made that can handle the extra 2000 lbs of sprung weight on the truck and give you the ride height you want in the process. That doesn't mean it has to sit sky high but you need to work with a spring shop that really knows their business. You are looking at springs rated for a heavy 3/4 ton or a one ton though.

On the shocks, regular shocks that aren't designed to hold up weight such as a coil over or load leveler is won't hold any weight up. The only way they might be holding the truck up is if they are too long for the application and are bottomed out.
You might smooth out the ride and help the handling a bit if you go to lighter rated shocks than what are on the truck. Quite often the 4X4 boys buy the stiffest rated shocks in the book just because they think that is what they need and it's overkill for what the truck does.

[itstheshu]

I only see four leafs in the last picture, My 54 has seven. That could be a lot of the problem.
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[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by 54chevytruck

I think it was the mindset that the more you have, the better for towing and mudding...
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Its having the opposite effect for your ride. I suspect that because they are the original under frame hangers they used the old springs which are insufficient. I think your going to have to use 1Ton springs or at least 3/4 ton and fab some spring hangers that will accept the wider spring and mount outside the rail like a later model frame. You could still use the sway bar and keep the dump bed. I think I'd go to the public scale and see what it really does weigh. Then figure out what springs I need. What part of town are you in?

[54chevytruck]

I am in southwest houston (59 and the beltway), but the truck is near bingle and longpoint on the west side. Any idea where public scales are in that area?

Also, i looked at the truck tonight, the front springs have 1in in between the center of the leaf and the frame(there is no rubber spacer) so i need to have the truck lifted atleast 3 inches (the tire rubs a but on the fender around turns)

the rears have 6inches between the leafs and frame, but that is the minimum height of the airbags...

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by 54chevytruck

I am in southwest houston (59 and the beltway), but the truck is near bingle and longpoint on the west side. Any idea where public scales are in that area?

Also, i looked at the truck tonight, the front springs have 1in in between the center of the leaf and the frame(there is no rubber spacer) so i need to have the truck lifted atleast 3 inches (the tire rubs a but on the fender around turns)

the rears have 6inches between the leafs and frame, but that is the minimum height of the airbags...

There is one at 8512 Hempstead Rd Houston, Tx 77008 I would call them first to see if they can weigh it.

Texas Public Scales,
8512 Hempstead Road
77008 Houston, Tx
Phone: (713) 869-4411

[OrrieG]

scrap metal and recycling centers have truck scales for weighing bulk loads, that is how I found out my TF 4wd weighs just shy of 4500# with one person and about 8 gallons of gas.

[54chevytruck]

I took my truck up to Livingston this weekend for a 260 mile round trip this weekend and fixed some issues in the truck at my uncle's shop (now i have a full floorboard and proper shifter mount along with a better mount for the transmission cooler fan)

My uncle also had a set of race car scales. so i found out that with 3/4 of a tank of gas and no one in it, the truck weighs 5500lbs with a front/rear weight distribution of 51/49% and a left/right weight distribution of 51/49%

so with me and a full tank of gas it weighs about 5800lbs(the max weight that the original springs are rated for: 4000lb truck+1750lb carrying capacity)

[dwcsr]

There is your answer. Its over weight on the stock 54 springs.

[Coupeguy2001]

yep, looks like the P.O. took about 3 leaves out of it on each corner because it sat too high for him. I would think they realized it was a mistake, and to keep it from bottoming, they added some shocks.
You can buy some springs from people here on the forum that converted their truck to coil springs, and put some known original springs on it and get rid of all those shocks.
I had a 89 suburban that came with 4 shocks up front, and taking off two of them made it ride like it felt it should.
Usually, springs that are good and useable go for around $30-$50 each.
That way, you will notice that the number of leaves are right, and you can change the shackles so you know they aren't all worn out. Go to LMC truck parts for the shackles.