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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Highs (Raising/Lifts) => Topic started by: 73K10 on February 04, 2008, 09:21:53 pm
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I have a '73 1/2 ton 4x4 LWB. The previous owner installed a plow and now the front sags pretty bad. I originally bought the truck for a work truck so I could carry full loads of wood. I would like to give it a mild lift (2-4 inches) as well as give it some more load carrying potential. Could I go with stock 3/4 ton springs all around or should I be looking into something more?
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I bet fresh 3/4 springs would probably get it to where you want it.
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Would stock 3/4 ton springs have the same length measurement? Would I have to change any other hardware (i.e. shackles, shocks, steering components)?
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Since your going to lift it anyways, why not just replace the worn out 1/2ton Springs, with 3/4tons front and rear that come in a quality lift kit ??? That way you don't have to worry about crappy blocks in the rear, or old 3/4ton springs wearing out faster(If not already worn out)....
Personally I would go with new 3/4ton lift shocks(which should come with the springs in a quality kit), just to have as much matching as possible.. If you need a front end rebuild anyways, just replace the bushings/ball joints/steering pieces with 3/4ton pieces.. With those upgrades, and keeping the Half-Ton Front & Rear Axles, you will be basically creating yourself a LT Heavy Half...
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Since 1/2 ton springs are shorted than 3/4 ton springs, is this going to be a problem?
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1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, yada yada yada. I know a guy that works at a spring shop. He has told me in the past there are differences in 1/2, & 3/4 ton spring rates. The same width, length, and thickness spring can have a different spring rate depending on the amount of iron used to make the steel, the way it was heat treated, the speed of the cool down after making it, the amount it was arched etc. If you go to a spring shop they could build you a set of correct length springs at the 3/4 ton spring rate, and correct number of leaves. If you want an extra 2, 3, or more inches they can do that too with more arched springs not blocks or stacking up extra springs.