The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 3/4 ton rear springs

The bare frame i have came with I assume 3/4 ton springs (9 leafs) can I remove 2 leafs to make 1/2 ton as this is what I am building my question is which 2 do I remove from the pack? Thanks for any info Biddaboy

Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks again

I don't have a spec sheet handy, but you may find that the 3/4 ton springs are longer and wider than the 1/2 ton, which means you'll either have to fabricate mounting pads on the axle or use a 3/4 ton rear end... which limits your choices of gear ratios. I've heard of people sliding the center leaf out of a pack to soften the ride, but I'm not sure if you want to pull two out of each side. That might be enough to make it sloppy if the spring pack is long, and will certainly put more stress on the ends of the main leaves.

I am looking at doing this to my 57 3600 truck. In addition to the 9 leafs, I have 5 leaf progressive overload springs on mine. To say that it is stiff would be quite an understatement.I have established that both the 1/2 and 3/4 have 2" leafs and the only difference I can detect is that the 3100s were 7 leaf and the 3600s were 9 leaf. I am going to order new 3100 u-bolts and remove 2 leafs and replace the eye bolts, shacles, etc. I am also thinking about using the teflon strips.

Hey 57 Mike I just finished rebuilding the 3/4 ton springs I have, the 2 leafs I removed are #s 3 and 4 from the top (top being the main or longest). The remaining 5 lower leafs all measured out the same as the 1/2 ton spring.You just have to shorten the clips that hold the leafs in alignment to fit the narrower pack.Good Luck Biddaboy

Biddaboy;

Did you notice a big difference in the stance or the stiffness of the ride? I like the stance, but the ride is too rough for the wife.

57 Mike

Dont know yet Mike I am still building the truck just doing the frame right now on this frame-off restoration Sorry I cant Help with the ride issue .Biddaboy

Biddaboy;

I have finished removing the 3rd & 4th leafs from my rear springs, removed the existing progressive overloads, installed new u-bolts, new eye bolts and new shackles. The end result of all this work is that it dropped the rearend between 2 1/2" to 3". I can not tell about the ride yet since I have not finished redoing the front springs. I also installed the poly rider strips and will give an update in about a week when I have it all back together and driveable.

Well here is the update that I promised on removing 2 leafs from the rear springs and adding the poly rider material to my 57 3600 . The stance did drop about 2 1/2" but the ride is night and day better. I also found several possible safety problems in the process. Things like the eye on both front springs being worn almost clear through, eye bolts and bushings rusted solid, u-bolts almost rusted through and a few others. All in all I am very happy with the increased safety factor and the improved ride.

Hey Mike what modifications did you do to the front springs,how many leafs did you end up with in the front pack and how much lower is the front,also how is the stance of the truck,even,raked,? Thanks for the info Biddaboy

Mike, thanks for the GREAT info, now i have another project on my list.

Thanks again,
Brian K