How do I make the rear leafs softer? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mtm_seven · 08-03-2009, 07:19 PM

Hey gang,

I have a little 4x4 project that started as a dually and now has single rears and no bed - as you can imagine, it beats you to death offroad with the stiff rear springs and no weight. (running 15 and 12 psi in the tires)

Question, how can I keep the same ride height but make the rear springs softer? - What part of the packs should I remove and how big of a block should I plan for? Or is there another option like swapping some front leaves to the rear? I have a plasma and a mig; not afraid to use them

Uglee huh?

DirtyLarry · 08-03-2009, 08:20 PM

Put the bed back on it and load it down with about 1,500 lbs of watermellons!

Actually, the best method I found to make these ride better is do a rear spring shackle flip. It is amazing the ride difference with the flip which I was not expecting or looking for, the smoother ride was a secondary bonus.

ORD has one of the better shackle flip kits IMHO. http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm

After adding 52" rear springs and longer shackles. Really rides nice now, flexy too.

mtm_seven · 08-05-2009, 11:56 PM

Hmmm, good point - I could do this and remove leafs as needed to get back down to size:

http://www.coloradok5.com/shackleflip.shtml

Want to remain as low as possible (height and $$-wise) - building it to teach my niece and nephew how to drive standard and laugh at them hitting trees.

lyrikz · 06-27-2016, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

Put the bed back on it and load it down with about 1,500 lbs of watermellons!

Actually, the best method I found to make these ride better is do a rear spring shackle flip. It is amazing the ride difference with the flip which I was not expecting or looking for, the smoother ride was a secondary bonus.

ORD has one of the better shackle flip kits IMHO. http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm

After adding 52" rear springs and longer shackles. Really rides nice now, flexy too.

I know this is an old post but I'm looking for flex and a softer ride also. I mostly do sand which is higher speeds and bumpy. I'd like more travel so the shocks can take care of the rest. Would you recommend d this for the front and rear?
1971 chevy blazer 1/2 ton. Has a basic lift now. Couple of inches. 35 inch tires.

andrewmp6 · 06-28-2016, 08:37 AM

That is for the rear and it would soften the ride some,The off road guys do a 52 inch spring swap in the front which do flex more.Keep in minding doing both will give you 4 to 5 inches lift if i remember right.

08-03-2009, 07:19 PM	#1
mtm_seven Loading..... Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 214	How do I make the rear leafs softer? Hey gang, I have a little 4x4 project that started as a dually and now has single rears and no bed - as you can imagine, it beats you to death offroad with the stiff rear springs and no weight. (running 15 and 12 psi in the tires) Question, how can I keep the same ride height but make the rear springs softer? - What part of the packs should I remove and how big of a block should I plan for? Or is there another option like swapping some front leaves to the rear? I have a plasma and a mig; not afraid to use them Uglee huh? Attached Images __________________ -M7 '69 SWB GMC 5.7 EFI ‘69 C/10 SWB patina survivor ‘71 GMC K20 '72 K5 1-ton gear 468BB ‘86 K30 GMC High Sierra C&C Single Cab '96 SWB Single Cab 5.7 ‘99 SWB Z71 Single Cab '00 SWB Single Cab 5.3 '01 K2500 Yukon Safari 6.0 ‘06 2500HD Single Cab C&C Duramax 4x4 '08 1500 crew '11 2500HD Single Cab Duramax 4x4

08-03-2009, 08:20 PM	#2
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: How do I make the rear leafs softer? Put the bed back on it and load it down with about 1,500 lbs of watermellons! Actually, the best method I found to make these ride better is do a rear spring shackle flip. It is amazing the ride difference with the flip which I was not expecting or looking for, the smoother ride was a secondary bonus. ORD has one of the better shackle flip kits IMHO. http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm After adding 52" rear springs and longer shackles. Really rides nice now, flexy too. __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

08-05-2009, 11:56 PM	#3
mtm_seven Loading..... Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 214	Re: How do I make the rear leafs softer? Hmmm, good point - I could do this and remove leafs as needed to get back down to size: http://www.coloradok5.com/shackleflip.shtml Want to remain as low as possible (height and $$-wise) - building it to teach my niece and nephew how to drive standard and laugh at them hitting trees. __________________ -M7 '69 SWB GMC 5.7 EFI ‘69 C/10 SWB patina survivor ‘71 GMC K20 '72 K5 1-ton gear 468BB ‘86 K30 GMC High Sierra C&C Single Cab '96 SWB Single Cab 5.7 ‘99 SWB Z71 Single Cab '00 SWB Single Cab 5.3 '01 K2500 Yukon Safari 6.0 ‘06 2500HD Single Cab C&C Duramax 4x4 '08 1500 crew '11 2500HD Single Cab Duramax 4x4

06-28-2016, 08:37 AM	#5
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: How do I make the rear leafs softer? That is for the rear and it would soften the ride some,The off road guys do a 52 inch spring swap in the front which do flex more.Keep in minding doing both will give you 4 to 5 inches lift if i remember right.



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