Rear leaf spring modification/removing a leaf

[webfoot]

The rear springs in my 70 are off a 73-87 1-ton and are QUITE stiff, especially with a 88-98 fiberglass step bed on it, they aren't really compressed much at all. (I measured 2" of shock travel between sprung and unsprung.) If I could remove a leaf I think they might be a world better, but the pack is riveted and banded together. Has anybody ever done this before? Or is a new set of springs in order? I was pricing skyjacker softrides and they are about $320 EACH.. ouch.

[Dsuper5]

Well Webfoot you are in for a interesting ride! I started out with a 64 Sub 4x4 and put 83 suburban front springs and hangers in, the rear have a 62 inch chevy 1 ton 1999 set up ( and shackle flip and hangers) Bilsteins 5160 on all 4 corners and its good but not good enough..
Ib used a grinder and drill to take the spring packs apart to where i thought it would work for me. 2000 miles later i know i need stiffer springs or more leafs1
It is a trail and error try and drive change and switch to the point it works for you, there is no one way solution to it once you started changing stuff!
I post some pics..

[Dsuper5]

Pics

[kwmech]

If it is a true 1 ton spring pack, you can remove about 3 leafs from it. Not all of them are riveted. Just remove the center pins and slip out the ones you do not want.