'87 GMC Suburban V1500 1/2 ton - replacing leaf springs

Afternoon, all,


It has been brought to my attention that the original leaf springs on my 1987 GMC Suburban v1500 4x4 (1/2 ton) are sagging and should be replaced.

I'm not sure how closely I should follow original specs when picking out replacements (weight capacity and number of leafs), because there seem to be some differences with what I'm able to find for sale. Generally, I prefer stock height. I have doubled the size of the fuel tank, adding a few hundred pounds to the rear.

According to a heritage document (attached), it seems my Suburban came standard with a 2-leaf pack in the front (rated at 1,850lbs each), and a two-stage, multi-leaf pack in the rear (rated at 2,000lbs each). I have confirmed that my Suburban is indeed equipped with a 2-leaf pack in the front and a 5-leaf pack in the rear.

Due to the new fuel tank, I am considering beefing the rear leaf packs up 10% each to 2,200lbs; I also don't want the rear to be too low when towing with that new fuel tank.

Any suggestions on where to pick up some quality (preferably not made in China) leaf springs? On RockAuto, nearly all the 'front' leaf packs I see seem to be 3 leaf or more. Are there any 1,850lb rated 2-leaf packs? The only 2-leaf pack I can find is the Dayton 22402, which is rated only for 1,400lbs.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you, everyone.

I have the similar questions so I’m bumping this up to the top.

Steve

I bought springs for my V3500 from a local spring shop. They asked me a few questions and I ended up with stock springs. A 1 ton truck rides hard enough I did not want HD springs for the front or rear. Since this truck has been in my family since 1988 and I have hauled or towed with it many times I know the stock springs worked for me.

I would look for a local spring shop. They will sell you decent quality springs and will be able to help you select. They will also make u-bolts for you. When you pick up your springs bring the old bolts so they can bend up new bolts while you are there.

If there is no shop within a reasonable drive people speak highly of General Spring. Click this link.

Just run a three leaf front with the same or similar load rating. The 10% extra on the rears will probably be fine.

I went with the Dayton rear spring from rock auto, that is like 2400 lbs I believe, but I went with a 56 instead of a 52 and more leafs in the pack for the occasional towing and my regular extra gear and sound system. Just have a stock 40 gallon tank though, which is like 500lbs of fuel lol.

Have not installed yet though, I'm also fixing suburban sag.

PrairieDrifter said:

Just run a three leaf front with the same or similar load rating. The 10% extra on the rears will probably be fine.

I went with the Dayton rear spring from rock auto, that is like 2400 lbs I believe, but I went with a 56 instead of a 52 and more leafs in the pack for the occasional towing and my regular extra gear and sound system. Just have a stock 40 gallon tank though, which is like 500lbs of fuel lol.

Have not installed yet though, I'm also fixing suburban sag.

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How does 40 gallons of gasoline weigh 500lbs? it weighs about half that.

edgephoto said:

How does 40 gallons of gasoline weigh 500lbs? it weighs about half that.

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250... sorry I don't know the weight of gas of the top of my head.......forgot that was super common everyday knowledge.. I'm such a dumbass

PrairieDrifter said:

250... sorry I don't know the weight of gas of the top of my head.......forgot that was super common everyday knowledge.. I'm such a dumbass

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Sorry I did not mean to come of as a know it all.

edgephoto said:

Sorry I did not mean to come of as a know it all.

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No worries. Coming out of a cold so I'm a little snappy. I assumed gas would weigh slightly more than water.

I've always used 7lbs per gallon as my weight for fuel if not exact,close enough. I would not upgrade springs just for a fuel tank it probably won't be full most if the time anyway. More than likely why you are adding a gas tank,so you don't have to stop for fuel as often.

PrairieDrifter said:

No worries. Coming out of a cold so I'm a little snappy. I assumed gas would weigh slightly more than water.

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It is all good. Tone does not come across in posts. Gasoline weighs just over 6lbs per gallon depending on temperature, of course. Water is 7 lbs. I would have thought it was heavier too but was surprised when I checked. As someone said above, Just use 7lbs per gallon. Water is a good one to remember and is close enough for stuff like this. If we were rocket surgeons we need exact amounts.

My point was that a tank of gas is no more than a person. I don't think you need to upgrade springs for a 40 gallon tank.

edgephoto said:

It is all good. Tone does not come across in posts. Gasoline weighs just over 6lbs per gallon depending on temperature, of course. Water is 7 lbs. I would have thought it was heavier too but was surprised when I checked. As someone said above, Just use 7lbs per gallon. Water is a good one to remember and is close enough for stuff like this. If we were rocket surgeons we need exact amounts.

My point was that a tank of gas is no more than a person. I don't think you need to upgrade springs for a 40 gallon tank.

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35 inch Spare tire, tools, fluids, recovery gear, 15 inch sub and big box. Then occasional towing.

I wanted 56 inch springs. Only way is to have a little more capacity

Used to work at full-service gas station back in the late 70's and when taught to stick the underground tanks for water I was surprised that water was heavier (naive 18 yo) as well and super surprised at how much water settles in those underground tanks. Can't remember the capacity but if there was more than like 4" of water then service was needed on the tanks. Lesson that came from this still holds true today, don't get gas when the tankers are unloading, but things could be different nowadays, but I still drive away if I see a tanker unloading.