Rear Leaf Springs

[teamcurtis]

I dropped the front end of my truck 2" and Im pleased with the way it sits.
The rear end now needs to be dropped about the same.

Currently the truck has 7 leaf 56" springs, with a 4 hole shackle. The spring is mounted on the top hole (closest to the bed, furthest from the wheel).
Suggestions on where to start? Id like as smooth of a ride as possible and cant imagine I will use this truck as an actual truck, but i might tow a 3,500 lb travel trailer very short distances.

-Would i be better off with a 3 leaf 52", I think that was stock, but would that raise or lower the truck from its current state?

[VileZambonie]

So you used drop shackles but kept stock hangers? Just use drop hangers.

[teamcurtis]

well I didn't do any of this. The truck was like this when I got it.
But yes, drop shackles and stock hangers.

I also thought a lighter spring might make it ride nicer too.

[75gmck25]

A 56" 7 leaf spring sounds like something from a 1 ton.  The lighter duty trucks used a 52" spring.

I have OEM 52" 7 leaf springs rated at 2775 lbs/spring and its a rough ride in my K25.   In '75 they had suspension as light as about 1875 lb /spring load rating, which should ride better.  However, I don't think they were designed to make it ride any lower.

Bruce

[Jerr-conn]

On my 87 r10 I have 56" springs. I removed the thick bottom leaf and the next 2. Dropped it
About 3". Got 2" more with 2" shackles. Remove the large bottom one and the next one.
Should be close and won't cost nothing but labor.   Let us know.

[teamcurtis]

I like the idea of low/no cost....

[teamcurtis]

Bottom meaning closest to the ground or bottom closest to the truck?

They seem to have some sort of split in holding in every 2 ... tips fro removing?

[Jerr-conn]

There is only 1 thick leaf per side, which is closest to ground. About 3/4" thick.