94 chevy k1500 upgrade to 2500 leafs.

[Jeep_Comanche17]

so considering upgrading my trucks rear leafs to 2500 suspension. guy before me put 4:10's front and rear with eaton lockers so the only thing keeping her from hauling heavy stuff is the 4 flimsy 1500 leafs. i just recently hauled an 1,800 lbs trailer with 3,600 lbs of scrap on it and it sat her down a bit. so my question is will the 3/4 ton leafs fit on my frame? already checked the reese hitch specs it will haul the weight. someone told me the shackle mounts will need to be moved (i know the shackles will have to be upgraded as well). my other option was to add a leaf, but not to sure about that. thanks

[barry G]

it sure can be done..

but other things will be stressing.

I have even ripped a cross sill off the ears.

one half is still flexing, the other was being a brick.

 

I have calmed down since the early 90s of hacking the wimpy half tons..

Hellwigs helper under the u-bolt has been great. I limit my own truck by enforcing bumper, welding the area in front of it to lock out any thought of a receiver.

 

good factory half should gain 100 over the bumper specs anyway. (500 tongue - 5000 tow)

 

a lot of weird things can happen bricking the back.

I just got a high performance tranny mount installed recently for example..

 

check my build thread out, it is a classic overload case, and full recovery.

 

if to go full swap springs, my own 2 cents..

there is a 2000 pound setup from suburbans. that will bump up the half ton limit, and respect the rest of the half ton, staying about 500# under 3/4 ton.

 

..and seriously, get rid of those U-bolts.. do not reuse the wimpy u-bolts on the rear springs.

 

A tip when it is done.. go over articulating terrain, the rear springs should be active as the front.. don't let it brick.

[Wintersun]

I would look into adding SuperSprings. People there are very helpful. I added them to my 2500HD to increase the payload from 2800 to 4000 lbs and they work perfectly. No change in the ride with no load and with a load the shocks work much better as the springs are carrying the weight and the shocks only have to provide dampening.

 

Be aware that the truck frame is another limitation. Lots of pictures of trucks with broken frames on the internet. I had a front leaf shackle break free completely on a truck without any extra stress, only too thin a frame section. Newer trucks have fully boxed frames for good reason.

[Beaux Duke]

The springs keep you level but the bearings carry the load. Plus your tires will need to be upgraded. You'd need to move up to a load range "E" if you want to carry a heavier load. Wheels also have a specific load range rating.

 

If you just want extra height, no problem.

 

To actually safely carry the load I'd swap the entire axle to get the benefit of beefier bearings. And consider boxing your frame for additional strength. And don't forget that heavier loads need bigger brakes.

[likestrucks]

Do you have the 14 bold SF axle? If so then you are good to upgrade to the 3/4 ton carrying spec with just springs and tires. That 14 bolt SF axle had a 4800 lb weight rating when on the 3/4 ton trucks.