Rear Leaf Springs

[markdilljr]

 I have an 84 C10 1/2 ton 2wd LWB, when I got the truck the rear end was bad so I swapped rears out of an 81 C10 1/2 ton LWB donor truck. The springs on the 84 had all rusted bolts so I switched leaf springs to. When I put in the rear and springs it lifted the rear about 2 inches and the springs I put in were longer about 2-3 inches longer, it also rides alot stiffer. I have decided to lower it instead of raising it, I want to remove 2 leafs to drop it alittle and soften the ride. My question is which leafs do I remove ( its the 5 pack ) and my leafs rest against the rear shackles, does this look right

[Grim 82]

That's not right. Bolt to bolt the shackles should be closer to vertical. Those springs are too long.

[markdilljr]

any idea why they would be different from an 81 to an 84, well until I can afford new springs which leafs should I take out

[markdilljr]

Just to get me by for a couple months until I can afford new springs do you think I could cut them and shorten them then weld them back together I would only have to do this to the top one

[Grim 82]

Some guys might, I wouldn't. When you heat spring steel it loses its temper and becomes brittle. If you still have the original springs that you couldn't get out when you swapped, I would use them. It may be easier in the long run.

[markdilljr]

I dont have the old one anymore, I live in an apartment and they werent to happy about having a donor truck in the parking lot or with me doing any work at all to it. They made me get rid of the donor or they were doing to evict me, now I have to drive across town to work on my truck

[Grim 82]

When the spring compresses, the axial force is transferred up the leaf to the eye. The shackle needs to rotate for that to work. The spot where the leaf touches the lower shackle bolt becomes the fulcrum, and will most likely result in a sheared bolt at that connection. I am sure that not everybody will share my opinion on shortening and welding those springs, but I wouldn't put them on my vehicle.

[Captkaos]

Your truck had standard springs the truck you got the springs off of had HD springs, that is how you got the wrong ones on there.  I am surprised you even got them on there.

If you are going to lower it, you were better off with your original springs.  All you needed to swap was the rearend not the complete suspension.  there is no way to lower the truck with those springs, eventually you are going to break something.

You CANNOT shorten and weld springs back together.   Unless you want to end up stranded somewhere.

[beastie_3]

Scary

[markdilljr]

Ok thank you I found a set of standard leafs at the junk yard for $100 for the set. Is that a good price for them or should I try to talk them down on price. What size bolts do I need when removing leafs for where the leaf sits on the saddle, I heard I needed shorter ones but there is no parts stores near the junk yard or where I am doing the work so I need to get the new bolts before I head over that way. I am doing the work in the early mornin since its 113 outside by 11am and I have no sade to work under right now. Thanks for all the help, I have already learned alot off of this website, you guys are great

[beastie_3]

I haven't priced them, but I think it might be on the high side.

[Grim 82]

What size bolts do I need when removing leafs for where the leaf sits on the saddle, I heard I needed shorter ones

Are you wondering about using another bolt to drive out the bolts that are in there? Anything that fits (or a punch) will work. If you are wondering about new bolts when you put it back together just measure whats in there now and replace them with some grade 8's, or reuse them if they are in good shape. For $100 they better have the parts pulled for you.

[markdilljr]

No the bolt that goes through the springs to hold them together and aligns the spring with the saddle and I said I cant look at them first there are no parts store anywhere close to where I am getting them or working on them

[Grim 82]

Ok, the center bolt. I don't think the original bolts are threaded all the way down, so yes you will probably need shorter ones. I don't know what size they are; you will either have to measure the diameter and see what length you will need, or see if the parts store can look it up. It may be simpler for you to put it together the way its supposed to be with the shorter springs and then buy drop shackles.

I want to remove 2 leafs to drop it alittle and soften the ride.

Not having the springs bottomed on the shackles will soften the ride, and drop shackles would drop it a little. I would see how it sits and rides with the proper springs in it and go from there.

I am doing the work in the early mornin since its 113 outside by 11am and I have no sade to work under right now.

Drink lots of water. Hydration is the key 

[markdilljr]

I found springs for $50 for the set, my next question is how do I tell the HD springs from the ones I need they have a couple 73-87 chevys, next question is will the 67-72 springs work they have a bunch of them to.