The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Remove a leaf or two

I may be wrong but I see three problems with this setup and removing so many leaves from the spring pack in general.

First, the lower shock bracket/spring clamps appear to be installed reversed so the shock is to the inside of the frame.

Second, when you remove all but two leaves you're losing a considerable amount of load bearing capability. Granted you may not be carrying a load in the bed but look at it this way. You need a certain amount of spring rate just to support the truck. You need additional spring rate to support any added load. Only two leaves out back might be okay with no added load. On the front I'd say no way. With only two leaves left to support the front weight of the truck (including additional weight transfer during braking) the load would not properly support the front and it would dive. The front springs in Volfandt's truck look to be over-arched to the point that the arch has reversed! The previous owner also put spacers under the spring. This only returns the spring to the correct installed height. It does nothing to correct the spring rate or support the spring. Here in California any sort of spacer or block on the front spring is also illegal. Without the support of the other leaves the entire load gets transferred across a weaker length. Imagine replacing the steel bar of a dumbell with a cardboard paper towel tube. It's going to fail in the middle if you move it up or down. Same scenario with a leaf spring. Take away the inherent strength of the pack and leave the heavy lifting to only the longest leaves and those leaves WILL bend or snap over time right where they are clamped to the axle. Now imagine you're driving down the road with your grandkid in the seat next to you (seat belts? - maybe) and that spring fails under the weight and collapses or worse yet just snaps.

The third problem I see is that when you lower a truck this way you will affect the steering geometry. The drag link is no longer on the horizontal like it's supposed to be. It's now angled and your steering input comes in on an aggravated arc rather than almost a straight push/pull as designed. You're asking for steering problems.

For those wanting a lower ride on the cheap I wouldn't suggest removing so many leaves on the front. Two leaves might support the weight out back but not the front.