2018 Silverado 3500 Rear Spring Modification

[asilverblazer]

This has been talked about in other topics, and I've mentioned that I might do this modification that I am contemplating.

 

Without getting into the why's, how comes and what for's... I need to soften the ride of my 1 ton in the rear. I already know that sounds ridiculous, however, here is my plan.

 

The truck currently has air bags in the rear, generally I don't need to use them. I do tow heavy trailers, hence why I am using the 1 ton truck in the first place. I plan to start taking leaves out of the spring pack to help the ride quality, I'd be willing to remove all of them except the main leaf that locates the axle. This lowers my load capacity that I would make up for by using the air bags to recover it. 

 

I have two concerns with this method, first, the single spring leaf without all its 'partners', would it be enough to keep the axle properly located? I think so, but if anyone has any thoughts I might be overlooking I'd like to here them. Second, I think the risk of axle wrap would be increased and I would have to add a set of traction bars. Also, not really a concern but I might have to add a small lift block to restore ride height, but that would aggravate concern 2.

 

Another option is using the leaf spring pack out of a half ton truck, still using the air bags to make up load capacity.

 

Thoughts? Opinions?

[calgator73]

On 3/21/2024 at 1:16 PM, asilverblazer said:

This has been talked about in other topics, and I've mentioned that I might do this modification that I am contemplating.

 

Without getting into the why's, how comes and what for's... I need to soften the ride of my 1 ton in the rear. I already know that sounds ridiculous, however, here is my plan.

 

The truck currently has air bags in the rear, generally I don't need to use them. I do tow heavy trailers, hence why I am using the 1 ton truck in the first place. I plan to start taking leaves out of the spring pack to help the ride quality, I'd be willing to remove all of them except the main leaf that locates the axle. This lowers my load capacity that I would make up for by using the air bags to recover it. 

 

I have two concerns with this method, first, the single spring leaf without all its 'partners', would it be enough to keep the axle properly located? I think so, but if anyone has any thoughts I might be overlooking I'd like to here them. Second, I think the risk of axle wrap would be increased and I would have to add a set of traction bars. Also, not really a concern but I might have to add a small lift block to restore ride height, but that would aggravate concern 2.

 

Another option is using the leaf spring pack out of a half ton truck, still using the air bags to make up load capacity.

 

Thoughts? Opinions?

Order some custom deaver springs?

[asilverblazer]

Maybe - I want to try the lower cost options first.