Looking for a softer ride

[84GMCSierra]

I'm looking for a little softer ride in my 84 Sierra C2500, and was told I could remove a few leaf springs. I don't haul anything heavy, it's a 2wd, but is rough as hell. Looking at the spring pack, can someone advise me on how many and which ones to remove to possibly get a softer ride? I know I will have to get new U-bolts etc. Right now the truck is sitting on Jack stands as I'm doing new wheel cylinders and new hardware. Thanks.

 

[Craig 85]

Since you don't have the upper overload like mine I'd start near the bottom. Keep the main over load on the very bottom, but remove 1-2 above that that don't have retainer clips on them.

My next to the last broke, so that was the one I removed. I could have removed the next one above that too without issue. I'd rather keep the longer springs as they will give a better ride than the short ones.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[84GMCSierra]

Since you don't have the upper overload like mine I'd start near the bottom. Keep the main over load on the very bottom, but remove 1-2 above that that don't have retainer clips on them.

My next to the last broke, so that was the one I removed. I could have removed the next one above that too without issue. I'd rather keep the longer springs as they will give a better ride than the short ones.

You must be registered for see images attach

Thanks Craig. I'll start there and see how it goes

 

[84GMCSierra]

What number on my springs should I remove? I know I need #1 and #8.

 

[Rusty Nail]

I'm with Craig, he gave a great reply.

 

[hoagster]

Start at the bottom, Like Craig said. Someone before you wanted to haul something heavy. And one day you will want to do something even if it's just a yard of dirt. And if he tells you to move any number it's his fault. You may have to do this a couple times until your happy.

 

[bucket]

Eh, many C20's have a 7 leaf pack. It's nothing outrageous at all. I'm curious what you are used to driving? Imho, the average C20 rides as good as most any newer truck. Perhaps the shocks are froze?

At any rate, try removing #6 and #7. I wouldn't remove any more than that.

 

[84GMCSierra]

Eh, many C20's have a 7 leaf pack. It's nothing outrageous at all. I'm curious what you are used to driving? Imho, the average C20 rides as good as most any newer truck. Perhaps the shocks are froze?

At any rate, try removing #6 and #7. I wouldn't remove any more than that.

That's a good possibility. The shocks are/were leaking. These we're on the truck when I bought it 5 years ago. I'll try new shocks before removing leafs

 

[84GMCSierra]

Eh, many C20's have a 7 leaf pack. It's nothing outrageous at all. I'm curious what you are used to driving? Imho, the average C20 rides as good as most any newer truck. Perhaps the shocks are froze?

At any rate, try removing #6 and #7. I wouldn't remove any more than that.

It seems my truck has a hard ride. I feel every little bump, crack etc. and it seems to shake the daylights out of my truck. I've only had one other 3/4 ton, and it was a 73 Dodge D200, but that was back in the late 80's and I can't remember if it rode this hard or not. I know it will never ride like a 1/2 ton, but a little less harsh would be better. I will start with a good set of shocks first.

 

[SquareRoot]

I just pulled one leaf from my K20. Made a noticeable difference. Keep in mind, the truck will sit lower. Since I assume you're pulling it from the rear, you might end up with the famed "Carolina Squat". I replaced mine with a pinion shim so ride height remained unchanged.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[84GMCSierra]

I just pulled one leaf from my K20. Made a noticeable difference. Keep in mind, the truck will sit lower. Since I assume you're pulling it from the rear, you might end up with the famed "Carolina Squat". I replaced mine with a pinion shim so ride height remained unchanged.

You must be registered for see images attach

God I hope not!!!

 

[84GMCSierra]

As far as shocks go, can I use standard original ride quality, style shocks or should I go with heavy duty?. I found some AC Delco shocks for about $35 each, or AC Delco Heavy Duty for about $39 each. I've heard that Monroe, and Gabriel shocks aren't that good?

 

[Bextreme04]

another option is to just switch to a 3 or 4 leaf c10 spring and add an airbag system if you want to carry a lot of weight in the future

 

[Bextreme04]

As far as shocks go, can I use standard original ride quality, style shocks or should I go with heavy duty?. I found some AC Delco shocks for about $35 each, or AC Delco Heavy Duty for about $39 each. I've heard that Monroe, and Gabriel shocks aren't that good?

I put a set of monroe shocks on my 74 C20 and it rode great. The previous ones looked like yours and it rode terrible

 

[DoubleDingo]

My 81 C20 rides just fine. Stock. Nothing removed. I got Monroe shocks. I might try a different brand when I replace them, just realized they are 11 years old in July. BUT! When I got my truck the shocks were froze. It rode like a wagon without springs. It outright sucked. I don't recommend this, but I removed the shocks until I could buy the new ones. I don't recommend this because it's bouncy and unsafe. If you're driving around a farm or a cul-de-sac it won't matter, but if on streets going at speed it's not safe or for the faint of heart. Once you replace the shocks, and make sure you replace the studs that go to the frame too, and also make sure the studs are solidly tightened to the frame so there is not movement. The rear shocks on mine had loosened those studs and I am lucky the holes didn't wollered out.