The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop another leaf spring question

Okay I know there are numerous topics on leaf springs and I looked through the
Old forms but still would like some input. I have a ½ ton 49 short-bed.. I haveA TCI mustang front with drop spindles. I now need my back end lowered about 2 ½ inches. The leaf springs are under the axial and have 2 1/4 inch lowering block on one side and 1 3/4 on other side?? And it sits level??
I want a softer ride so I want to remove the bottom three springs ( has 8 now) By removing the three springs will this lower my truck any or is this Going to raise it?? I know that I can make new shackles on the back and move the spring about 1” Closer to the frame which should lower it.
I could add more lowering blocks but how much is to much. The U bolts for the lowering block is already close to the ground.
Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Marcus

By pulling those leafs off you will lower the truck some and it should soften up the ride too. You might also take the leaf stack apart (use a "C" clamp while you're removing the bolt) and clean up any ridges, rust, etc. from each leaf, repaint them, and put some teflon or poly liner in between each leaf. If you want to go lower you can have your springs de-arched as well. There are differing opinions on how much lowering block to use, I wouldn't go any more than what you have.

if you take the springs apart,number each spring so you can get it back together.i didn't.

Thanks guys.
I removed 3 of the lower springs and it moved the tuck down 1.5 inches. It seems to me almost to soft but until I get it on the road we will leave it there. Had to grind the rivet off the bracket that kept the spings in place. I will now have to drill a hole in one of the srings.
Is there anything besides a rivet that I can use.
I'm not for sure where to get a rivet let alone how to flaten them out. One other question. I want to shorten my shackels. Where does on find some type of threaded bolt with greese serts like the front of my springs use but smaller.
When I shorten the shackels I wont have the carrage bolt to keep them together.

The front shackel can be used in the rear, it is shorter than the rear.

Lonnie
If you are refering to the front springs then that won't do me any good. They went to the scrap yard.
Do I need a rear shackel? or can i just make a bracket in back so the rear is solid like the front Or does it need to pivot back and fourth??

Needs to pivot!!! The spring lengthens as it compresses. If you solid mount it something's going to break and send you in a direction you don't want to go.

You dont need to number them. long ones on top,,short ones on bottom,,,and so on in between........pretty simple. Also, you can have a spring shop make you a main leaf with a reversed eye,,youll get approx an inch and a half lower than stock just from that.
Marty

I thought it had to pivot but had to ask.
I'm going to call St Louis spring company and asked them about the reversed Eye. I can get the main spings made for $38.00 a piece.I would use my other leafs. My bushing are shot and started to where into the spring itself.
Thanks for all your help

Still would like to know what do i use in place of the rivets that was holding the leaf spring clips on?

Brothers sells leafs that are already lowered...you can get 2 3 4 5 drops...without the taking leafs out..

For anyone that wants to reverse their own spring eyes, read here.
Never tried it, but they make it look easy.
-shrug-