EZ Ride springs: Regular or HD

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Vetteman61

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2021
Posts
33
Reaction score
5
Location
USA
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
350
I have an '87 K5. I have decided to go with the Tuff County EZ ride 3" lift springs. I have a winch and a winch bumper. I mostly do on-road driving, so ride quality is more important than off-road performance.

I'm curious of your experience: Will the weight of the winch and winch bumper need to be offset with the HD springs? Will the EZ ride front springs sag significantly with the weight of the bumper and winch? I'd like the truck to sit level, however I don't want to overdo it and get a super harsh ride from the HD springs if they aren't needed.

Thanks,
 

skysurfer

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Posts
2,664
Reaction score
2,104
Location
west coast
First Name
John
Truck Year
1989 Suburban
Truck Model
V2500
Engine Size
5.7/TH400/NP241C
The regular springs are more than enough for my Suburban. I have a stock front bumper but carry a lot of weight on the roof rack. Just my opinion, but it would be a bummer to pay for EZ ride springs and not get a reasonably smooth ride out of them.
 

86 SCOTTSDALE

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2019
Posts
360
Reaction score
281
Location
Oakham MA
First Name
Armand
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
305
I have a 2" lift with regular springs and my 7 1/2 foot fisher plow only sink the front end about an inch.
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,914
Reaction score
4,115
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
I had 4" EZ Rides on my '79 (SBC with A/C). I added this winch bumper and brush guard. The shop over did the brackets and made the set up heavier than it probably should have. It was the best riding Square I've had. When braking hard, I did get some squat on the front which would cause me to have to correct the steering wheel to the left, maybe an 1/8 of a turn at most. I had a raised steering arm and the drag link was level when static.

My current truck (K30) has the 3" HD's. I have a 454, A/C, bumper guards and dual batteries and it rides way too stiff. I'm probably going to remove the 4th leaf. I would venture to guess they are intended for crew cabs, not a standard cab truck.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Vetteman61

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2021
Posts
33
Reaction score
5
Location
USA
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
350
Thank you for the responses.
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,914
Reaction score
4,115
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
FYI, I have since contacted Tuff Country. They confirmed the only difference between the HD and EZ Ride is the 4th leaf. He said if I removed that spring I would have and EZ Ride.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
FYI, I have since contacted Tuff Country. They confirmed the only difference between the HD and EZ Ride is the 4th leaf. He said if I removed that spring I would have and EZ Ride.
yeah we knew that but thanks for reconfirming.

So that bottom leaf can be trimmed down to reduce spring rate a little. You can do this while it's on the truck. Jack up the front and set the frame on stands, so the suspension droops. With a 4" grinder and thin zip disc whack of 3/4" from the both ends
of the bottom helper leaf.
If you take all the way back as far as you go you have created a little 'zero rate'.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
I would venture to guess they are intended for crew cabs, not a standard cab truck.QUOTE]


yes crew cab with BB... or a tow truck.
 

77 K20

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Posts
3,101
Reaction score
3,119
Location
Montana
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K20 5" lift
Engine Size
HT383 fuel injected
yeah we knew that but thanks for reconfirming.

So that bottom leaf can be trimmed down to reduce spring rate a little. You can do this while it's on the truck. Jack up the front and set the frame on stands, so the suspension droops. With a 4" grinder and thin zip disc whack of 3/4" from the both ends
of the bottom helper leaf.
If you take all the way back as far as you go you have created a little 'zero rate'.


Sorry for a slight thread jack here- what about on stock rear springs? I've heard that some flip the overload leaf on the bottom upside down but have you ever cut that stock leaf down?
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
Sorry for a slight thread jack here- what about on stock rear springs? I've heard that some flip the overload leaf on the bottom upside down but have you ever cut that stock leaf down?
Yes you can do this to. Flipping it takes it out of the spring pack equation but then it's a 'catch' for brush, dead cats and such..
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,083
Posts
949,047
Members
36,162
Latest member
jbahena95
Top