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Old 02-13-2012, 12:01 PM   #1
duceducenine
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pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

my dad just recently purchased a 71 1/2 ton 4x4
which is too bouncy for him the truck sits as tall as
my 72 3/4 ton 4x4.... i think both his front and rear
spring packs have 5 leafs any chance of pulling 1 or 2
out to try to get it closer to stock ride smoothness?
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Old 02-13-2012, 12:28 PM   #2
coops714x4
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

You could do that but first I would measure the springs to see if they are stock. I am assuming by "bouncy" you mean rough?? If it has lift springs on it taking 2 out might make it bouncy soft, and do damage to the spring pack. If you do this only remove 1 and see what that's like, If its still too rough I would strongly advise changing the entire spring to a stock spring.
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Old 02-13-2012, 02:08 PM   #3
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

I wouldn't recommend it. My 78 K10 has leaves removed from the back and the whole spring packs just wear out and look weird. And after a while, your springs could break like mine did.
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Old 02-13-2012, 03:55 PM   #4
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

Good advice above if by 'bouncy' you mean too stiff.

But if 'bouncy' means it goes 'boing boing boing' when you hit a bump, than it's time for new shocks.
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Old 02-13-2012, 05:09 PM   #5
duceducenine
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

too stiff not a shock issue...thanks for all the info
i guess the hunt is on for some stock springs!!!!!!
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Old 02-15-2012, 04:01 PM   #6
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

What's up DD9? How's life been treating you?

Do you know what shocks are on the truck now? If they have the wrong valving it could also give a rough ride.
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Old 02-16-2012, 10:44 AM   #7
duceducenine
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

thanks for the info i'll check it out....
every things good over here just trying to stay
busy to pay the bills!!!! how you been?
got any more stock spring laying around????
i got your last ones of the blaze.....
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Old 02-16-2012, 10:57 AM   #8
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

If you want it to ride nice, give these people a call.

http://www.deaverspring.com/
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Old 02-16-2012, 12:32 PM   #9
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

I may be wrong but if you have five springs in the front it sounds like your Dad's truck is lifted. Stock springs would be lower.

That being said I have a stock set that I am taking off of a 71 4X4 Short Wheel Base Frame.

Just keep in mind that the reason I am getting rid of them is because I want a smoother ride and I took the advice I found here and ordered a set of Deaver Springs and Bilstine shocks.... Spendy but cheaper then a new set of kidneys.

Good Luck
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Old 02-16-2012, 03:18 PM   #10
SeventyOne
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

Quote:
Originally Posted by duceducenine View Post
thanks for the info i'll check it out....
every things good over here just trying to stay
busy to pay the bills!!!! how you been?
got any more stock spring laying around????
i got your last ones of the blaze.....
Ya staying busy and out of trouble. Amassing some parts to finish up the chassis/drivetrain then on to the body work.

No more stock springs here - sorry.

From what I remember my stock front springs only had 2 or 3 leaves in the pack and had a pretty good negative arch to them (after 40years).

How many leaves in his pack? How's the arch?

If you are looking for junkyard/stock replacement springs I can't help you BUT everyone is saying if you want to drop the coin go with Deaver. I can't say anything about them but my custom lift Alcan springs sure turned out nice and they could replicate the stock springs at a lower spring rate to smooth out the ride.
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Old 02-16-2012, 04:18 PM   #11
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Re: pulling out leafs for lower smoother ride?

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If I posted this correctly this is what the stock springs look like on the front axle. This is with absolutly no load other then the bare frame.
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Last edited by dbash; 02-16-2012 at 04:22 PM. Reason: aattempting to add pic
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