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| | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 469 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 469 | I have a 47 1.5 ton Chevy that I would like to make the rear springs a little lighter for a better ride. The old rig will probably never haul more than its own weight plus 1,000 lb's. When removing leaves from the spring stack, should you remove starting from the bottom every other one till I'm happy with the ride or one at a time till happy. Each spring starting with 12 leaves to mains and the other 10 get shorter till the bottom.
The springs have been taken apart cleaned and polished and ready to go back togeather just wondering what to do. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 | One thousand pounds isn't very much of a payload. If you carry a half dozen or so kids and a couple adults in a parade, you could surely exceed that.
I would start at the bottom. I don't think that there is a general rule. But don't forget that the springs also keep the rear axle from over twisting on acceleration.
I have never tried to soften a ride on a big truck, hopefully someone who has will enlighten us both.
John
~ J Lucas 2006 GMC Envoy 4.2 I6 2023 Ram 2500/Cumins 6.7 I6 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Wife’s) 2002 Silverado 2500 Gas 6.0 1941 Chevy 1/2-Ton 1942 Chevy 1.5-Ton SWBIn the Gallery My Flicker Photos! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 | Its own weight is probably 4500 pounds depending on whats there.
Im interested in what others will say to this. Hmmm... | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 684 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 684 | I don't know, but by the time you got enough leaves removed to get a soft ride you probably could not carry anything, and stand a very good chance of breaking a spring. I would not do it.
Cleon | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 469 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 469 | This old Chevy started out as schoolbus and has been converted into some what of a suburban. The only thing that remains of the bus is the frame and cowl forward. The frame was shortened 4' and a 9' pickup bed added behind the cowl for passenger area. It is used for a personal pleasure rig that rides to rough. After our first road tip of 600 miles through Arkansas to peditt jean swap meet we decided to soften the rear springs as they have no give at all with the current load. We plan on taking the old truck to Hutchenson Kansas in June for a truck show and would like a little smother ride as we plan to make the trip on rural mostly two lane roads. I'll post some pictures when I figure out how. | | |
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