New leaf springs!

[79K15 HIghSierra]

As is my custom now, before purchasing an item online I’ll drop a thread in here to get insight from all you knowledgeable fellas!
It’s that time in the revival of my old ‘79 that I replace the leaf springs. Went back and forth about lifting it etc, for now I’m going to keep it stock. So, rockauto has replacement leaf springs for like $120 a piece for the front, anyone use these or know of any deal similar? The fronts are a lot flatter that I had thought, I assumed mine were just that worn out! And is there anything else I should go ahead and replace while I’m at it? Thanks I’m advance guys!

Its just a stock 79 k15 1/2 ton 4x4

 

[Craig 85]

I've never used Rockauto for springs, but you will have a negative arch on the springs, just like OEM. Even on the 1 tons with the 3 leaves there is a negative arch. These are photos before I lifted the truck. I never measured it, but I don't believe there was more than 2" between the axle and the snubber.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Jwernatl]

wow!!!! is there really negative arch? That makes me feel so much better. Yesterday, I was putting new shoes on my '87. I went with COOPER AT3's - 32 x11.50 -

long story short - we were doing a test fit and noticed the springs were not arched as 'one would think they should be' - wow. that's great. My tire guy swore up and down - "it's not right - change the springs, it get that way from sitting to long"- (my truck sat for many years in storage)

I told him - if they were that bad the truck would 'sag' in the front - it doesn't. - does it???

it's got the stock 15" x 8" and the tires are the COOPER DISCOVERER AT3 XLT's 32x11.5x15's (plenty of room)

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Bextreme04]

yes, all stock front springs will have negative arch. I have a K25 and heavy duty 8600GVW front springs and a negative arch. I'm putting on EZ-Ride HD's for a 4" lift. Got the springs for $100 locally, basically brand new condition.

 

[79K15 HIghSierra]

Even with weight on it, there not negative now which I like. Heavier duty than stock but didn’t lift it more than an inch or so

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[shinkle]

Jwernatl, you have a great looking truck. Is the front raised or stock? I would like to get rid of the stock rake on my 87 R10 by lifting the front 1-2".

 

[DanMcG]

@79K15 HIghSierra , are those the Rock Auto springs you originally posted about? Let us know how the ride is, I'd like to replace my 78's when the time comes,

 

[tpripps]

Shipping is really the painful part of buying leaf springs.

 

[Raider L]

@tpripps,

I know about the shipping of heavy parts. The rear sway bar I just ordered weighs enough to charge $35.00 shipping. Let me look.....the bar and install hardware weighs 23 lbs., 40 oz. It was like...wow $35 bucks. I could have put that money towards something else like maybe one Bilstein shock I want for my truck, a set of four of course, but I would have had at least one now. You'd think all I spent for the bar shipping would have been free. Summit does it all day, Ebay does it all day. Yeah, yeah, I know people would say, "Then you should have bought it from Summit or Ebay". I looked and they were more expensive even though shipping was free, the bar would have been more. I was trying to save money, you know?

 

[Jwernatl]

Jwernatl, you have a great looking truck. Is the front raised or stock? I would like to get rid of the stock rake on my 87 R10 by lifting the front 1-2".

My truck is 100% stock. Sorry it took so long answering. Ive been out for a while sick.

 

[Grit dog]

Jwernatl, you have a great looking truck. Is the front raised or stock? I would like to get rid of the stock rake on my 87 R10 by lifting the front 1-2".

He 4wd. You 2wd. Totally different suspensions.
And personal opinion, lifted/leveled 2wd trucks look like posers.