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| | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 | my 46 PU rides pretty firm and I was wondering if my rear leaf springs are right or? They have 10 leafs. Anyone know if that was standard back then or someone added heavy duty springs. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 | Looking at the above link, 10 leafs are standard on the 4100-6400 trucks, with a 770 lb spring rate. Compared to the 3100 trucks with a 190 lb spring rate. I will bet it rides really harsh!
3100 .291" thick leafs, 8 per side, 190 lbs deflection rate per inch
4100 .323" thick leafs, 10 per side, 770 lbs deflection rate per inch
Joe
Last edited by Joe H; 10/25/2015 10:33 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 | you got that right, it is real rigid. That confirms what I was thinking. Any suggestions on getting some? I guess I will start with ebay or craigs. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Getting some what? Make sure the lower-rated springs are the right length/width for your truck. Check with Eaton Detroit Springs. or, Jim Carter Truck Parts might also have springs - JC would be able to match/understand your hanging/perch specs. His prices are good and his quality is usually good. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 | Tim is correct, the 4100 uses a much wider and shorter spring, 46" x 2 1/2" spring, where the lighter 3100 trucks use, 54" x 1 3/4" springs. What truck model do you have?
New will not be softer, you are going to have to down size or add weight to the truck. Poly-liner or teflon rub pads helps quite a bit and removing some leafs, but as you remove leafs, you remove load capacity.
Joe | | | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 | My springs are 56"x 1-3/4", but they are 10 leaf. sounds like I need to find ones with less leafs. Anyone know if the passenger car leaf springs swap out? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | Is it possible/safe to remove leafs from your existing springs? Just throwing the idea out there.
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,209 | My local shop suggested I remove every other leaf keeping the two top longest ones. I did this years ago and added Poly-liner between each leaf. It really soften my up.
The problem you will find is cars use a shorter spring and any other truck will have the center bolt in the wrong location. By keeping at least the top leaf, the axle will stay centered to the axle as it is now. Buy keeping the two top ones, you retain the safety of the second spring which coils around the ends of the main leaf. Any thing under these two is just support. If you are not worried about load capacity, removing leafs is a pretty easy way to soften the ride.
I am running four leafs in front and five on the rear. Mine started with 8 frt and 8 rear. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 888 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 888 | I removed leafs in mine also. Someone here mentioned placing the smallest leaf on top of the longest spring would help lower height and still maintain strength also. I used a vinyl liner that I made from some leftover base cove. Some pictures here. Have fun and good luck. Dan | | | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 37 | very helpful and interesting. I think I have a line on a stock set. If not, I will try pulling out a couple of the shorter ones. | | |
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