3/4 ton springs onto 1/2 ton frame 1980?

[jbrow1]

I want to put 3/4 ton springs on my 1980 1/2 ton chevy pickup.  I pull trailers, snowplow, etc. with it and it needs new leaf springs anyhow, so want to go with the more heavy duty ones.  Already used to the ride from years of running an '86 3/4 ton. 

Two questions..
1. Where's the best place to buy em and is there difference in quality if I buy from Autozone/Napa or from a specific leaf spring company?

2. Is it as simple as measuring the length of my current springs and then getting that length in 3/4 ton specs, or are there different levels of springs from different year trucks?  Meaning, can I just say I want 3/4 ton springs for an 1980 Chevy 4x4?  Or would it matter the year or not as long as the length is the same?

[Magic1]

Not sure about your second question but check out SD truck Springs online. That's where I got mine a few years ago and they had good prices compared to others.

[1967KaiserM715]

well, from what I know, 3/4 tons can have either 52 or 56 inch springs-most are 52 inch, I have only seen one 3/4 ton with 56 inch springs

if you just want a better rated spring, you should just be able to source springs with more leaves. , the fronts shouldn't change too much if you have 3 leaves, unless you want 4 leaves(really only need on a diesel IMO) for the rear, figure another 500 lbs per leaf, so if currently a 4/1 spring, a 5/1 will get a 1000 pound increase, I believe a 8/1 is the top for 3/4 ton, 3500LB capacity

73-87 springs are all the same, in same truck rating(1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton), and like I said, 1/2 and 3/4 should be 52 inch springs, except in some cases(heavy duty, those should be the 56 same as 1 tons

hopefully this helps clear it up a little

hey Magic1, how was shipping from SD?

[jbrow1]

Thanks for the input guys.  I'll check out that online store.

[Magic1]

I don't really remember to be honest. I know shipping time was quick but I can't remember about price.

[jbrow1]

The SD online store was really helpful to talk to on the phone.  Prices were great, but I then found a spring shop 30 minutes from me.  Talked to them and plan to buy from them next week and skip the shipping process.  An actual shop I can go to for customer service is always nice too rather than email or phone conversations.   

[Engineer]

A custom spring shop can take your factory springs and add leaves or whatever you desire.

I've even done the bubba method of getting another set of springs, tossing the main leaf, then staggering the new springs (leaves) in with the old so you have a stack of progressively shorter (or taller if going from the bottom up) spring stack.

And if you want the extra leaf you can even chop the eyes off of the main leaf that comes with the new stack and incorporate it into the mix as well.