Wanting a Smoother Ride

[robzkombi]

Got a question regarding a softer ride.

So I recently bought a '74 c10 and the PO did a flip kit in the rear, the front was a horror story so I went ahead and bought and installed a Bell Tech 3" spindle and BT 2" coil along with a set of Nitro shocks for the front. The front rides nice and smooth but the rear is still a bit rough. there is no indication that the axle is hitting up on the bump stops so I'm assuming the rough ride is coming from the leaf springs.

I hear that removing the small "over load" leaf spring will help soften the ride BUT I don't want to lower it more. So my question to you guys is, is it possible to cut that small leaf spring right behind where the axle bolts up to the U-bolts? will that help soften the ride but still keep the same height? 
Thanks in advance!

[VileZambonie]

How many springs are in the pack? How are the shocks?

[robzkombi]

Stock spring pack for a 1/2 ton, shocks appear to be fairly new.

[robzkombi]

So upon closer inspecting of the rear set up, it looks like the bump stops are making contact with the axle. I am going to remove them over the weekend and see how much of a difference it makes as far as ride comfort.

Now to move on to the next issue, power steering pulley alignment ugh!

[1967KaiserM715]

You'll want to check shock compression, shocks could bottom out after removing bump stops. This could create more issues.

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[robzkombi]

Will do, thanks.

[MrFiveOh]

You'll want to check shock compression, shocks could bottom out after removing bump stops. This could create more issues.

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to go off on this, if you didnt get the shock extenders you need to, geometry will be all wrong. Bump stops need to be removed otherwise you will have to get your spine checked out after hitting a good bump or two.

[robzkombi]

I didn't even look to see if it has shock extenders. These would only be needed if I have stock length shocks correct?

[MrFiveOh]

I didn't even look to see if it has shock extenders. These would only be needed if I have stock length shocks correct?

They would, however unless you have an extreme drop like bags I highly suggest shock extenders in conjunction with factory shocks. I have a flip kit with no bump stops, extenders and factory length shocks and it rides really smooth.

[robzkombi]

So I went ahead and bought and installed the shock extenders, the ride is I bit smoother than before, now I just need to remove the bump stops.

 How are 'yall removing the stops? I tried to get between the plate and the frame with a saws-all but that didn't go too well. I then tried just the rivet but that turned out to be a b-itch as well, so I left them on for now. Any ideas and tips? Thanks.

[MrFiveOh]

So I went ahead and bought and installed the shock extenders, the ride is I bit smoother than before, now I just need to remove the bump stops.

 How are 'yall removing the stops? I tried to get between the plate and the frame with a saws-all but that didn't go too well. I then tried just the rivet but that turned out to be a b-itch as well, so I left them on for now. Any ideas and tips? Thanks.

What i did was use a use a wheel grinder on the rivets, once they are flush i used a impact chisel/hammer between the bracket plate and frame. Eventually it came off. just takes time and alot of effort.

[robzkombi]

Well the truck ended up at a shop,  I had them repaired a lot of mistakes the PO attempted to repair and or upgrade. The most dangerous one being, where the fuel hard line was resting on the header itself and had rubbed almost through the hard line itself, pretty scary crap thinking of what could have happened.

They completely redid the front end including all the bushing and rebuilding of the power steering unit, replacing the two piece main seal, straightening and welding up a cracked frame (at the steering box) and reinforcing that area. 

While they were at it I told them to replace the rear bump stops with the shorter ones.
What they did to remove the rear bump stops was using a grinder they cut an "X" on the rivet heads an chiseled them right off.