What front spring size K20?

[RickV]

So I recently purchased an 84 K20 Scottsdale, it has 2-1/2" blocks in the rear and 4 stack leaf springs in the front, I am wanting to go back to the stock height so I can haul wood, I see that some trucks came with a 2 leaf stack and some with a 3, so how do you know which to use? I believe they put the 4 stack on front because the truck also has a Western Plow. Any advice would help.

Thanks,Rick

 

[HotRodPC]

Sounds to me like it just has 4in lift springs in the front, and 2 1/2 blocks in the rear so it sits level. Usually the OEM front springs are a 2 spring with negative arch. Pretty sure the 1 tons got 3 spring pack in the front and maybe some of the heavier duty 3/4 tons. I've never seen a 1/2 ton with more than 2 unless it had lift springs.

So why can't you haul wood the way it is? If you are deadset on going back to OEM, I could sure those U bolts you'll have left over in the rears. I have the lift blocks, just need 3/4 ton U bolts for 2.5 in blocks. I also have OEM U bolts for 3/4 ton axle.

 

[RickV]

Its sits to high for me to load wood in, and the left front spring is already worn out as it sags about 3/4" lower. So I thought I would just replace the front springs with the stock ones and removed the rear blocks as cost effective way to get back to stock. I also have 2 little helpers that cant chuck wood in due to just being a little to high.

 

[87scotty]

For a wood hauler 3 in the front and 7-8 in the back should do you pretty good definetly want the overload spring I've had my sagged pretty good

 

[RickV]

Right now I have a 4 leaf rear with an additional helper spring and it looks to be a 4 leaf front, I think due to the PO having a plow on it, I just want to know what leaf to put on front after I remove the rear 2-1/2" blocks to get to level, a 2 or 3 leaf.

 

[RickV]

Right now I have a 4 leaf rear with an additional helper spring and it looks to be a 4 leaf front, I think due to the PO having a plow on it, I just want to know what leaf to put on front after I remove the rear 2-1/2" blocks to get to level,a 2 or 3 leaf.

 

[yevgenievich]

Stock it would be a two leaf and would be fine for stock height with 7-8 rear leaf pack. 3 leaf in the front will pick up a bit and will make it look more even when not loded

 

[bucket]

Some 70's 1/2 tons had the 3-leaf springs in the front too. The front springs could just be old lift springs, many are 4 or 5 leaves, just thinner usually.

 

[75gmck25]

You can buy replacement springs that are rated by load capacity. On my 8200 GVW K25 Camper Special I believe the stock front springs are rated at 1400 lbs (3 leaf?) and the rears are 2650 lbs (7 leaf?). If you buy something similar you should be able to upgrade the load carrying for your truck.

By just swapping springs you won't get the 14 bolt FF rear axle that GM included with the higher GVW Camper Special , but I think the standard axle should still hold up.

Bruce