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Author Topic: Overload Leaf Spring Removal  (Read 7082 times)

Offline Chevynut73

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Overload Leaf Spring Removal
« on: March 27, 2024, 07:34:27 AM »
The ol girl is retired and will no longer be used as a "working truck".

Wondering if I could remove the overload leaf spring only and help her not be so stiff in the rear.
We have removed the long fleetside bed which was very heavy and replaced it with a short stepside which is pretty light weight.
With all of that weight gone in the rear, she's very stiff now - would sure like to soften the ride up.
Suggestions? 
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'73 Chevy C10, 350, TH350, was a long Fleetside, now she's a short Stepper that's under construction (been in the Family since 1972).

Would rather push a CHEVY than drive a Furd

Offline Scott91370

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Re: Overload Leaf Spring Removal
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2024, 12:06:28 PM »
You can.  It may not do much.  You could also remove the next spring in the pack and see how it rides.  If you're not using it to haul then you shoudl be fine.  Remember, removing the second spring in the pack might lower the rear just a bit as well.

I had a had a 4 spring pack and I removed the two middle springs to lower it.  Couldn't put anything in the rear because it was soft but it rode better when empty.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Overload Leaf Spring Removal
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2024, 05:22:07 PM »
Overload will not make it a better ride but will change the height and weight of the pack.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Overload Leaf Spring Removal
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2024, 08:14:20 PM »
Are you referring to the flat spring at the bottom of the stack?

My K10 came with a 'camper' leaf spring pack, 5 leafs above the overload. Rough ride.

I had the lowest two springs removed to match the C10 stack I'm building.

Wife noticed it right away, much smoother ride.
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1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Chevynut73

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Re: Overload Leaf Spring Removal
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2024, 04:25:46 PM »
She has a 4 leaf spring pack on her.
The bottom leaf which i think is the overload leaf, is at least twice the thickness of the other 3. 
She's just really stiff!   
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'73 Chevy C10, 350, TH350, was a long Fleetside, now she's a short Stepper that's under construction (been in the Family since 1972).

Would rather push a CHEVY than drive a Furd

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Overload Leaf Spring Removal
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2024, 06:22:13 PM »
Are your shackles moving? Everything working correctly? Good shocks? The overload is not the cause of stiffness. What is the condition of the spring pack?
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,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline mercado1211

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Re: Overload Leaf Spring Removal
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2024, 09:37:12 PM »
I have a 4 inch hanger and shackle drop on mine, I removed the overload to try and get it a little lower in the rear. It’s lower now but the rear end slams against the frame pretty frequently going over bumps. I’ve since ordered the stock hangers and a flip kit. Once I put that on I’m gonna put the overload back on, I liked the way it rode with the overload as opposed to not having it, I also had wheel hop that I didn’t have before I removed the overload.


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1984 k10 LWB
1984 k5
1979 C10 SWB
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