extra hauling compacity

[1984 bad boy]

i need real help here guys im so lost on all this i have a 1984 chevy k10 4x4 350 auto. i recently started my own bussiness and im now regularly hauling over 1500 pounds si with a half ton truck u should see this baby sag. how can i raise the payload with out lifting the truck too high in the rear. pls dont suggest a new truck theres not enough budget for that plus i love this truck more than most as ive said before the wife goes before the truck lol thanks guys cant wait to hear your responses

[Chevalade]

Measure the rear springs see what you have, either the 52's or 56's, if you have the 56's you should be able to go to the wrecker and get a set of springs out of a 1 or 3/4 ton. If you have the 52's you can move the shackle back and put on a set of 56's. Should set ya up without much lift.

[choptop]

They make air bag kits for them that will help, and there are also helper spring systems that can solve your problem. One thing to make sure of is the rating on your tires. You definately need load range C at a minumum, Id look for some load rnage D's. Now keep in mind that that load is a little more than the truck is built for so it will speed up the wear and tear on the rear axle, esoecially the axle bearings and brakes. One of the best things I did for my business was buy a small trailer to haul stuff in. I can haul more in it than I can in my truck, and it doesnt tear up anything. I know its probably not much of an option since your just starting, but make plans for it in the future. You'll thank yourself.

[zieg85]

Choptop touched on it, no matter what you do to increase hauling capacity the brake system originally on your truck is only designed for so much.  Keep your stopping distance...

[malibu795]

They make air bag kits for them that will help, and there are also helper spring systems that can solve your problem. One thing to make sure of is the rating on your tires. You definately need load range C at a minumum, Id look for some load rnage D's. Now keep in mind that that load is a little more than the truck is built for so it will speed up the wear and tear on the rear axle, esoecially the axle bearings and brakes. One of the best things I did for my business was buy a small trailer to haul stuff in. I can haul more in it than I can in my truck, and it doesnt tear up anything. I know its probably not much of an option since your just starting, but make plans for it in the future. You'll thank yourself.

"C" load tires are not enough IMO

Air bags.. def a viable options ~200-250 for load leveing bags..
both of these can be mounted and a std 16x8" or some take of 16x6" rims of then 1500 silveados.
265/75/16 E is a 3400lb tire and a 31x10.5" equivalant tire
285/75/16 E is a 3300lb tire and a 32x11.5" equivalant tire

[choptop]

They make air bag kits for them that will help, and there are also helper spring systems that can solve your problem. One thing to make sure of is the rating on your tires. You definately need load range C at a minumum, Id look for some load rnage D's. Now keep in mind that that load is a little more than the truck is built for so it will speed up the wear and tear on the rear axle, esoecially the axle bearings and brakes. One of the best things I did for my business was buy a small trailer to haul stuff in. I can haul more in it than I can in my truck, and it doesnt tear up anything. I know its probably not much of an option since your just starting, but make plans for it in the future. You'll thank yourself.

"C" load tires are not enough IMO

Air bags.. def a viable options ~200-250 for load leveing bags..
both of these can be mounted and a std 16x8" or some take of 16x6" rims of then 1500 silveados.
265/75/16 E is a 3400lb tire and a 31x10.5" equivalant tire
285/75/16 E is a 3300lb tire and a 32x11.5" equivalant tire

I agree on the tires, but the wheels would have to be changed for 16s. The C's would handle the load, but I put E's on almost everything

[malibu795]

They make air bag kits for them that will help, and there are also helper spring systems that can solve your problem. One thing to make sure of is the rating on your tires. You definately need load range C at a minumum, Id look for some load rnage D's. Now keep in mind that that load is a little more than the truck is built for so it will speed up the wear and tear on the rear axle, esoecially the axle bearings and brakes. One of the best things I did for my business was buy a small trailer to haul stuff in. I can haul more in it than I can in my truck, and it doesnt tear up anything. I know its probably not much of an option since your just starting, but make plans for it in the future. You'll thank yourself.

"C" load tires are not enough IMO

Air bags.. def a viable options ~200-250 for load leveing bags..
both of these can be mounted and a std 16x8" or some take of 16x6" rims of then 1500 silveados.
265/75/16 E is a 3400lb tire and a 31x10.5" equivalant tire
285/75/16 E is a 3300lb tire and a 32x11.5" equivalant tire

I agree on the tires, but the wheels would have to be changed for 16s. The C's would handle the load, but I put E's on almost everything

most "C" loads are in then 2500-2600lb range...  ~5000lb axle and a only a couple ply tires... i wouldnt run them as a work/DD truck.

[Donut]

Is there a reason (other than weight) that the truck sags?  There aren't any cracked leafs or anything are there?  You might want to look for a used heavier truck to tide you over.  IMO you can go with overloads, heavier tires, stronger springs, but you still have a 1/2 ton.  You will be putting a lot of wear and tear on your truck.  Like was mentioned earlier, how about a trailer?

My 3/4 ton has a plow, during the winter it stays on.  What I did last year (on the front) was use these http://www.truckspring.com/timbren_285.html it kept my front end from bottoming out.  This year I'm trying 2 extra leafs on the front and moved the Timbrens to the rear.  There was no clearance on the front, so they always road on them, (rough!) on the rear (unloaded) there is about 1-1/2" before they contact so the unloaded ride hasn't changed.

This was after the brake system was completely rebuilt, load range "e" tires, etc.

[1984 bad boy]

thanks for all the input guys i understand your concerns about its still a half ton  but the engine and trans where both built for towing my skidloader so they should hold up. as far as the rear being strong enough i dont understand wat would be the difference as far as internals in the rear they should all be built with equal strength from the factory. an all my suspension is tight and in good condition i recently spent  a lil over 1500 to have all new bushings bolt and shocks install with slotted rotors and all. so all that said its basiclly a 1 ton truck minus rears i think. i just wanna maybe have a few springs added are any opinions on that

[N2TRUX]

If you add springs it will ride rough when it's not under load. My suggestion from experience is add a set of helper bags. If a compressor and tank aren't in the budget, use schrader valves to fill them. Trust me it will be money well spent.

[Blazin]

The faster wear and tear on the rear in the fact that 1/2 ton wheel bearings are not heavy enough to handle a daily load of a 3/4 or 1 ton loads. The axles them selves and the axle housing are not heavy enough either. Sure they will hold that kind of weight, but with that kind of weight every day over the period of a few months problems with them will start to show!

[team39763]

I have air bags in the back of my dually.  It's night and day with those bags inflated.  I can bottom out on almost anything without air in  the bags, but when they're inflated I'm all good.

[fitz]

Choptop touched on it, no matter what you do to increase hauling capacity the brake system originally on your truck is only designed for so much.  Keep your stopping distance...

Good point. You may want to look into an 3/4 ton axle conversion.
You can get a set with 3.73's or 4.10's that would help move/stop the heavy load.
I noticed that you just started your own business. Keep in mind that if your state requires you to stop at the truck scales on the interstate you will still be overloaded with a 1/2 ton truck.