i bought my truck already lifted and the ride is so tight and ruff, if you hit a speed bump you loose a kidney and a few teethe ive been reading here and it looks like the guy before me added a few leafs to the front and rear along with the lift. my question is "can i just remove 2 leafs from the front to soften the ride"? i looked and theres 5 leafs in the front. i think there is supposed to be 2 or 3. any help here would be greatly appriciated.ill post some pics of the front leafs in a few mins also removing tips for a few leafs would be alota help also

 

Can it be done? Yes.
Will it soften the ride? Yes.
Will it lower the truck? Yes.
Do you have to know what you are doing to avoid a potentially dangerous result? Yes.

You are re-engineering the spring pack. If you understand the theory and physics, go for it. I have done it a few times

 

If the truck really was lifted with add-a-leafs, you can pull them out, IF you can identify the leaves that were added to the pack. Just my hunch since you're asking for general advice on if this can be done, you've never done it before, and you'd need help determining what was added. A picture is worth many thousands of words describing all the ways to lift a leaf spring front end, so if you could provide some, you can comfirm exactly what you're dealing with as far as how the lift was done.

But the odds are that it was lifted with a replacement aftermarket spring pack, and you'd be better off swaping in new stock packs; choose the spring code based on your original VIN tag, maybe adjusting some. Unless you can identify the brand of the replacement pack, you'll have a tough time figuring the capacity of the springs and which ones to pull out to keep your FGAWR somewhere in the correct ballpark.

You do realize that your lift height is not independent of number of leaves in the pack; you saying "looks like the guy before me added a few leafs to the front and rear along with the lift" confuses me slightly, because the extra springs are the lift, and removing them will lower the truck.

The actual act of replacing or removing the springs is simple, but you can cross that bridge once you figure out if you need new packs or if really have an add-a-leaf.

 

ill upload a pic of my set up. i wish i knew how many leafs are supposed to be there, then id know if he did add any leafs to the pack. i thought the blocks did the lift but i do understand that the leafs have mass so yes they lift as well.

 

 

If he lifted the front with blocks, you need to remove the blocks. A front lift for a truck with leaf springs should be spring only.

 

wow that looks dangerous as all get out!

 

That looks like a lift block on the front end... get it out.
That is a big NO-NO.

70 MPH + a panic stop and you might have some serious problems.

 

wow thats not good. i pull a trailer all day and ive had to do some quick stopping but i hear ya. will my tires rub if i take the blocks out, there in the back also??. really i just want a softer ride. its rediculously stiff. so to be clear, take out the blocks in the front, but should i take them out of the back as well? and what should i put in to raise it up?? please advise

 

Take out the blocks right away! Dangerous! You can replace them with shackles or a mini spring pack. ANYTHING but blocks.

 

so do i have add a leaf? in your oppinion

 

mini spring pack or shackels, any brand that you suggest? wich ones better? costs? and thanks, sounds like you might be saving my life)

 

Yes. normal trucks only have 2 leafs up front, however if your truck is a plow package or some other upgrade factory package that might mean it has more leafs, I'm not sure. But normally only two leafs up front

ICON is a really good brand. You can buy them at www.riffraffdiesel.com. I have shackles on my truck, that were there when I bought it. Dont know about price on them though.

Riffraff Suspension: Icon Vehicle Dynamics

Also, a personal thing, I havnt had good luck with FRAM filters. When you change your oil next I would suggest a Motorcraft filter.

 

i found this on ebay. is this what you suggest i replace the blocks with?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-04...item33657bcaab

 

Not familiar with that brand, but thats the general idea. Measure the blocks in the front and see if the mini pack is the same size. (2.8" for that kit)