how much lift from putting 3/4 ton springs in 1/2 ton

[Herrmann]

Hi i have 97 chevy. I have 2 inch blocks in rear with torsion crank. I want the back just a tad higher and i pull my camper and cattle trailer and thought 3/4 ton springs would help with my rear end sitting so low. I know they fit just wondering how much lift it will give me and will i need new U bolts?? thanks

[1998454]

I had a 95 with 2" blocks. Swapped in k2500 springs and left the block out and the rear was about the same height as the 1500 springs with the block. Needing new bolts will depend on how much excess length you have now.

[mainechev]

I had a 95 with 2" blocks. Swapped in k2500 springs and left the block out and the rear was about the same height as the 1500 springs with the block. Needing new bolts will depend on how much excess length you have now.

He needs new u-bolts regardless if the old ones still fit. Never re-use u-bolts.

[1998454]

Mine have always been too rusted to re-use. But assuming they aren't very old and are in good shape why could they not be reused?
He needs new u-bolts regardless if the old ones still fit. Never re-use u-bolts.

[mainechev]

Mine have always been too rusted to re-use. But assuming they aren't very old and are in good shape why could they not be reused?
They stretch when torqued down and are not meant to be removed and used again.

[1998454]

I didn't know that. No fear of me re-using them though, every rear i have pulled has involved a torching of the bolts.
They stretch when torqued down and are not meant to be removed and used again.

[Herrmann]

ok thanks, i dont want to remove the block i got them last august. would an add a leaf be a better option? all i want is just 1 or 1.5 more inches in the rear, i think 2 extra inches would not look the best. what do you guys think?

[Herrmann]

Could maybe new shocks in the rear give me some extra height??? if the old ones are worn out a bit. they are stock. Ive been looking at rough country 9000 series rear shocks, i know there cheap and i hear they ride rough but i hear they hold there own when towing.

[mainechev]

Could maybe new shocks in the rear give me some extra height??? if the old ones are worn out a bit. they are stock. Ive been looking at rough country 9000 series rear shocks, i know there cheap and i hear they ride rough but i hear they hold there own when towing.

No. Shocks do not affect height.

[jwstewar]

My '99 1500 came with with a little bit of rake from the factory. Then when I put the 2500 springs on, I picked up a bit more. Before the change, I probably had 1 - 1.5" rake, now I'm probably 2.5 - 3" - if I'm empty. But since there is either something in the bed or something on the hitch, it doesn't matter to me. It has helped with towing our stock trailer and especially when towing our 36' Jayco camper.

[TiredFarmer]

Concur with jwstewar on the rake. My half ton DD only pulls a small 6X12 single axle trailer. Now I have had to put the round baler behind it a time or two, but generally it doesn't tow; so being virtually level is good. Now the 2500HD has a 2" (eyeball measurement) rake to it when empty/unhooked. Since I tow with it as primary purpose, I like that when loaded down it looks even/level and not sagging. For the OP, not sure if lengths were changed, but I would look at a 2500HD spring set, measure and if the same length as yours, go to a junk yard/u-pull-it and get some springs from a 2500HD. When you put a load of calves in the back, your a$$ wont be draggin!

[ToyHauler]

if your shocks are stock they are like having nothing at all by this point, i like the kyb mono maxes for trailer control i have a 6k camper and when i have the atv trailer on i probably have 7-800lbs tongue weight with no wd bars. they really do a good job. if that dont get it you can get air lift bags for the best adjust-ability and control. none of these add height but thats not what you need height doesnt add control

[Herrmann]

thank ya! i think ill pick up a set of 2500 springs at a junk yard and get some new shockes to acomidate for the more lift in the rear when empty!

[Chriscon7]

if your shocks are stock they are like having nothing at all by this point,

Go take your shocks completly out and drive around. Then say its like having nothing at all. Everytime you'd hit a bump you would just keep bouncing and bouncing. severely worn out shocks will bounce, but no where near as much as just the leaf springs. Saw this guy on the highway with no shocks, he hit a couple bumps in the road and his tire was coming off the ground, pretty unsafe if ya ask me

[blazin8556]

I had some bad worn out shocks when I bought my truck. Even a bust shock has some resistance. Mine had 0. It was just a rod in a tube. Now I have air shocks.25 psi I get a slight rake.

[Chriscon7]

in regards to OP's post, where are you getting the 2500 springs? junk yard or is there a parts supplier that provides new ones?

[TTavenier3]

if you have some time to fiddle with it you can always buy a few leafs and add them to your current springs. my father did alot of heavy pulling with his truck. he went to the just yard in 2000 and got a rear set of leafs off a 98. then he took his packs and the used packs took them apart and added a few/2-3 leafs to his current packs. a new center pin bolt from any local hardware store and there you go. added strength and a little added lift. think he did 2 leafs and got 1.5 in of lift unloaded. sat nice when loaded and road actually pretty good imo. i do know he ended up starting with 3 leafs and gave him 2.5-3 in of lift but thought it was to high. so took one out. just a though. its kinda time consuming but once your done its worth it. again just my opinion.
add a leafs are ok. just not a fan of them being so straight. really only good when theres a load on them.
you can do air shocks and add a little extra air to them it will puch the azz end up but you lose alot of ride comfort.
come to think of it when my father added the extra leafs to his leaf pack the ride wasnt to bad. then again we drove dirt roads to the house and any time we went out of town for livestock delivery we had the trailor and it rode real nice loaded.