52" Chevy leaf spring, which ones?

[tlane3546]

I've searched the internet and found lots of great info. Except I still cant narrow down which are the best to get? The springs I put in last year were rated at 1950lbs and the Cummins ate them up with a 2 inch re-arch on new springs. The spring sites give me more choices of, 2150, 2200, and 2775lbs rating for a 73-87 3/4 ton Chevy. But then the 73-87 Blazer has the 2350lbs rating. And the 1/2 ton Chevys give you the same ratings as the 3/4ton. I'm looking for the flex, smoother ride, durability against the weight of the Cummins. Plus the 200lbs bumper on the front. So if anyone has experience with these please let me know.

[Flyin6]

I've searched the internet and found lots of great info. Except I still cant narrow down which are the best to get? The springs I put in last year were rated at 1950lbs and the Cummins ate them up with a 2 inch re-arch on new springs. The spring sites give me more choices of, 2150, 2200, and 2775lbs rating for a 73-87 3/4 ton Chevy. But then the 73-87 Blazer has the 2350lbs rating. And the 1/2 ton Chevys give you the same ratings as the 3/4ton. I'm looking for the flex, smoother ride, durability against the weight of the Cummins. Plus the 200lbs bumper on the front. So if anyone has experience with these please let me know.

I added the 87 chev 1 ton spring which I thought was rated at 2600 ea. I pulled out two leaves and installed them. My Cummins flattened them in about 6 months. I am going to reinstall the two leaves and hope the springs aren't ruined. That is one heavy motor!

[JR]

Another reason I added a spring to my rough country front springs. Plus I am adding a bumper and winch, but I doubt it will be as heavy as SD's.

I am going to weigh the cumming too, that 1100lb scale will get a workout!

[tlane3546]

According to Quickserve, our motors weigh 952lbs dry, w/o accessories. Now factor in a/c, alternator, starter, flywheel, power steering pump, oil, and coolant. I believe final weight is   around 1120lbs.

[OldKooT]

Dodge ran the Cummins trucks with 1900lb springs. Same spring they used in a 318 truck actually. They sagged in either application.

Go back to say 1974 or so and you will find the same spring specifications...but they hold up fairly well. I'd wager metal quality is more the issue with droop than weight capacity. No one that drove a 1970's Dodge truck ever claimed they lacked front spring. Most complained they had far too much... food for thought.

I know a fella with a Cummins powered 1977 Power Wagon that's going on 5 years with the big oil burner under the hood. It still sits level on the 77 vintage springs.

This is why folks that fun custom built springs are usually happy... They may cost $700 a pair but they are made of quality American steel and they seem to hold up well. My Alcan's are nearing 15 years of age....they are about ready for replacement now. My next set will be Deaver...

[EL TATE]

I've searched the internet and found lots of great info. Except I still cant narrow down which are the best to get? The springs I put in last year were rated at 1950lbs and the Cummins ate them up with a 2 inch re-arch on new springs. The spring sites give me more choices of, 2150, 2200, and 2775lbs rating for a 73-87 3/4 ton Chevy. But then the 73-87 Blazer has the 2350lbs rating. And the 1/2 ton Chevys give you the same ratings as the 3/4ton. I'm looking for the flex, smoother ride, durability against the weight of the Cummins. Plus the 200lbs bumper on the front. So if anyone has experience with these please let me know.

I added the 87 chev 1 ton spring which I thought was rated at 2600 ea. I pulled out two leaves and installed them. My Cummins flattened them in about 6 months. I am going to reinstall the two leaves and hope the springs aren't ruined. That is one heavy motor!

The motor is heavy for sure, but I'm betting that 1000lb bumper isn't helping :P

[Flyin6]

I've searched the internet and found lots of great info. Except I still cant narrow down which are the best to get? The springs I put in last year were rated at 1950lbs and the Cummins ate them up with a 2 inch re-arch on new springs. The spring sites give me more choices of, 2150, 2200, and 2775lbs rating for a 73-87 3/4 ton Chevy. But then the 73-87 Blazer has the 2350lbs rating. And the 1/2 ton Chevys give you the same ratings as the 3/4ton. I'm looking for the flex, smoother ride, durability against the weight of the Cummins. Plus the 200lbs bumper on the front. So if anyone has experience with these please let me know.

I added the 87 chev 1 ton spring which I thought was rated at 2600 ea. I pulled out two leaves and installed them. My Cummins flattened them in about 6 months. I am going to reinstall the two leaves and hope the springs aren't ruined. That is one heavy motor!

The motor is heavy for sure, but I'm betting that 1000lb bumper isn't helping :P

Reminds me of the HUMMV's I saw running around in Baghdad. They had those really thick coil springs designed to hold some insane weight...like 13,000 lbs. Even with those springs the trucks were all low riders again because of the extra few thousand pounds of steel and sandbags the kids welded and strapped all over them...Then there was the day I noticed the 2 X 4's sticking off the front of the trucks...like some jousting lances! ;-)))

[JR]

They probably were jousting, got to have some fun. Plus I bet it would knock a door down nice.

Back in the 70s ride was not a factor like it seems to be now. People want high rates but a soft ride?

[Flyin6]

They probably were jousting, got to have some fun. Plus I bet it would knock a door down nice.

Back in the 70s ride was not a factor like it seems to be now. People want high rates but a soft ride?

It was used to trip roadside bombs...

[JR]

That did go through my thick skull for a moment, but I like the jousting better.

[cj7ox]

They probably were jousting, got to have some fun. Plus I bet it would knock a door down nice.

Back in the 70s ride was not a factor like it seems to be now. People want high rates but a soft ride?

It was used to trip roadside bombs...

Yep, called a "rhino" IIRC. 5 ft 2x2 squared tube mounted to the bumper with a 2x4 wood frame encasing a heating element to set off IR detonated IEDs in front of the vehicle rather than as it "broke the beam".

[tlane3546]

i think ive decided to go with the 2350lbs 5/1 leaf springs from a k5 blazer. any thoughts?

[Flyin6]

i think ive decided to go with the 2350lbs 5/1 leaf springs from a k5 blazer. any thoughts?

Don't they run flat to slightly negatively arched?

I had a K5 and swapped out to the sky jacker 4" spring for a great ride and a bit of lift

[JR]

I think all stock GM front springs have a neg arch.

[tlane3546]

The stockers have a 1 13/16" arch, the K5 are 6 3/4.

[tlane3546]

Oh no they aren't K5 front springs, they are k5 rear springs.

[Flyin6]

Oh no they aren't K5 front springs, they are k5 rear springs.

Copy that

The front springs on SquareD are actually 87 Chevy K30 rear springs...Same/same

[tlane3546]

Also forgot to mention they are 52" in length, and should be here tomorrow