Helper spring questions

[DuckhunterInTN]

I just put 2500lb hellwig helper springs on my 2000 Z71. These are the big ones (one piece, large leaves mounted over the factory ones) They are great except for one problem....they make the rear of my truck sit up higher than I would like. I have the springs a their lowest setting. At this setting it still sits about 1 1/2 inches higher than I would like. Also, having them at this low setting also makes them closer to the bed and they will infact hit if the truck is (very) overloaded or articulates a lot.

 

I thought about this:

 

What if I took the 2" block out of the rear and then cranked up the helper springs to level it back out? I would either put back in a 1" block or just let it ride as is and just crank the springs some more.

 

 

I could probably get another 4" or so of lift out of them so getting the rear end up would not be a problem.

 

Can anyone see any problems with this? Other than having to buy new u-bolts I can't see a problem. Would it stress the factory leaves too much? Anything else?

[Elwood 2000]

I have no idea. I too would like a helper spring for my Silverado, but am unsure about the problems you are having. I rarely carry much in the back, but from time to time the weight of my trailer gets a bit heavy and a helper spring would be great.

 

I too am watching this thread and hoping someone will have some good answers.

 

Good Luck!

[Chris97K1500]

I have not really paid attention to the 2" block on the NBS trucks, but if it is just a block not welded in, your idea should work without any trouble. I did a similar thing on my older Toyota truck after the stock leafs started to sag. I took out the 1" blocks and put a 2" AAL in. Worked fine. IMO I think it would be a much better rear suspension if GM would take out the blocks and put in a "correct" spring for the 1/2Ton trucks. People take the stock ones out all the time and put in larger blocks, so I don't know why it would hurt to take them completely out. And since you will be raising the truck back up with a helper spring, there should not be any problems with anything hitting. Also, about the U-bolts, you shouldn't need new ones. All you should do if you are worried about them being too long is just put everything back together after the blocks are gone and the helper springs are on, then cut the bolts off about 1" below the nuts. Use a hacksaw, Dremel with a cutting wheel or a sawzall. Maybe someone here has a better idea, but I wouldn't think your idea would cause any trouble. Chris

[siskiyou]

I had an extra leaf spring installed between the two stock leaves in the rear springs. I had the problem of it raising the rear of the truck up about two inches. I had the spring shop that installed them remove the 2" lift blocks and it brought it down to a little under the stock height in the rear which leveled the truck out a little. On my truck they could remove the 2" blocks and install 1" blocks using the same u-bolts but when they just took the blocks out they had to change the u-bolts because they were not threaded far enough. The lift blocks were not welded in and I have not experienced any problems in 1 1/2 years since doing this.