Smoother leaf springs for my 72 K10

[josuito]

Hello guys, I just added a 1972 K10 to my truck collection.

When driving my truck is so stiff from the front suspension, I want to keep the leaf springs, changing leaf springs and adding new shocks seems to be good for me, I can do that on a weekend as it's my daily drive truck.

Any recommendations for a smoother drive?

Thanks in advance

[kwmech]

What's on there now

[josuito]

Honestly, I don't know, I can snap a picture and add it here.

[Stocker]

My K20 has 2.5" Softrides and it's not too bad, but it's still an old solid axle truck and it rides like one. Interested to see what you have.

[RDrancher]

Stock height or lift, a custom set of springs from Alcan, Deaver or National will make that K10 ride like a dream.

[josuito]

Nice RDrancher, I'll start looking into that.

here are some pics that I just took from the leaf springs.

[Stocker]

Your springs look an awful lot like my Softrides. Hard to tell, is that an oversized oilpan protected by a (possibly homemade) bracket & skidplate? The front diff isn't contacting it, is it? First pic says no, second pic says maybe... Also, it looks like that top shock bolt is loose.

[GSP7]

Those do look like a soft ride type

My 4" Dick Cepek soft rides, the bottom two leaves are longer than those. My leaves tapper thinner at each end of each leaf also similar to a knife edge. Mine total five leaves also. And mine still have a nice arch. Yours look sagged or maybe a 2 1/2" lift

I'll take a guess that those are Rancho sprgs. IIRC, but I could be wrong

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[kwmech]

Definitely not soft rides, I would venture to guess a set of Rancho 4'' springs. I ran an identical set on my Suburban, but I removed the smallest spring on the bottom. Springs still set flat. The Suburban ran awesome even with the quad shock set-up. Of course the Suburban is quite a bit heavier all around though.
What's up with that skid plate?

[dennislbrooks]

I might remove the bottom 2 leaves --probably will lower it an inch+ tho. You may end up removing one from the back also above the overload to level the truck.. But it should soften the ride.

Then I wanted mine lower --like a stock 67--- and went to just 2 leaves --gave me a negative arch that I helped support with coil overs when I put the bbc in.

I would try just removing the bottom 2 or the second leaf up from bottom. Depends on how you want to use the truck.

[Mike C]

I wouldn’t pull leaves. They are designed as a pack for durability load and longevity.

But I would adjust tire pressure. What size tires are you running and how heavily inflated? With my 35” 14.5” Mickey Baja Beltes I ran 22 psi for even tread wear. With the BFG MT’s I ran 26 psi. If you have a 33 or 35 inch tire on there inflated to 35 psi dropping that is a great start.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by Mike C

I wouldn’t pull leaves. They are designed as a pack for durability load and longevity.

But I would adjust tire pressure. What size tires are you running and how heavily inflated? With my 35” 14.5” Mickey Baja Beltes I ran 22 psi for even tread wear. With the BFG MT’s I ran 26 psi. If you have a 33 or 35 inch tire on there inflated to 35 psi dropping that is a great start.

This my K20 had 75 psi when I got the tires 285/75/16's and would ride like a bucking bronco. I lowered it to 45 psi, and thought it rode great for what it was. Even tried 35, but did not feel a difference.

I also went from some cheap shocks to KYB GR2, and that helped quite a bit too. Hell even new cheap shocks can be a big improvement.

[josuito]

Thanks for everything guys, I think this will have to wait a few weeks more, I just got hit 2 days ago, pop my front tire, broke my transmission and messed up my rear differential.

[RDrancher]

Well that sucks! I'm guessing you're ok?

[josuito]

Yes, I have pain from all over my body but I'm still here to get my truck running again.

[Stocker]

Well that really bites! Glad you're not seriously injured. Hope the person that hit you has good insurance.

[kwmech]

What is it lately? Trucks getting hit and stolen W.T.....

[josuito]

I know... No Respect... I don't know how he says he didn't see me coming.. lol

I maybe fix it up and sell it, I think this was an open eye for me that I really want is a K5, hehe...

[Ryan Hubbard]

Sorry to hear about your truck being hit. But since I noticed you are in Anaheim, the place to go for springs is Deaver. They are located in Santa Ana and I put their springs on my 2500 Suburban and the ride difference was night and day. They are not cheap but the ride quality is great.

[josuito]

Thanks Ryan, I found a distributor in Anaheim, I may go there. I think this will take time as the bed has to be replaced, replace the transmission (it broke), replace right door and fender.

[89Chevy]

Dealing with similar issues on my K10. After doing a lil digging and staying within a budget. I’m changing mind out to skyjacker leaves, bushings, and shocks. Fingers crossed!
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[Richard]

Originally Posted by 89Chevy

Dealing with similar issues on my K10. After doing a lil digging and staying within a budget. I’m changing mind out to skyjacker leaves, bushings, and shocks. Fingers crossed!
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Don't want to be a downer, if you wanted to save money. I think you should have just stayed with the springs you have, changed bushings if needed and go to hydraulic shocks. I had Skyjackers on my K20. There will probably not be any difference than what you have now. I wish you luck!

[89Chevy]

Fingers crossed brother! I’m waiting on a new suspension set up as we speak! I’ll be sure to post pics and give update. Just finished doing my interior floor replaced with sound proofing and new vinyl! Came out great
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