Hi everyone. I (virtually) completed my Chevy spring swap on my 1997 T-100. I put the bump stops up on little pillars so that the springs wouldn't go past flat.

The problem is that the spring travel is rather low. When the axles are suspended there is something like 12" between the top of the bump stop and the frame, but when loaded, it's something like 2-3".
Here's a picture the truck from the side, unloaded:



Here's a picture of the axle and springs without any weight on them. You can see the 12" or so between the frame at the very top and the bump stops.




Even so, the ride seems about right, but I think I'd like a little more travel before bottoming out.

So the question is, how much travel should I have in the springs when the truck is unloaded? Seems that what I have is rather low.

You can see other pictures on http://www.pupman.com/truck
I can organize and annotate if people are interested too.

Thanks in advance.
Chip

Those springs are very soft, which is why they ride and flex well. That's why I used a 4-leaf version on my truck and older 4runner.

So I guess what you're asking is how to get more up-travel (compression travel) from normal ride height?

I would say either add more lift or shorten your bump stops.

Thanks!

I think I'll add a leaf or two for lift then. I set the bump stops to touch at the point where the springs are flat. I've heard that the springs shouldn't go past that point.

Chip

Rancho makes a good add-a-leaf for those springs. Its a long, soft one, not a short stiff one that will eventually break the leaves above it.

Thanks for that tip. I didn't know that was even a consideration (short stiff leaves breaking ones above).

A good spring shop can rearc the main spring for you

Thanks for that one too. I had forgotten about re-arcing the springs. I should probably weigh the truck and then talk to the spring shop to see what their thoughts are.

One thing that I don't know is how far a spring can bend before it's deformed. Then ask the spring shop to give it enough arc so that it will be an inch or three from that point when it hits the bump stops.

That's all a good spring shop needs to know to set you up.

I'm also thinking of putting in a cross-member to mount the shocks due to the new location of the spring plates which then shortens the available distance for the shocks since I did a ubolt flip.

The ideal spot for such a cross member is occupied by the brake lines and proportioning valve.

A few options come to mind -- on top of the frame rails, underneath the frame rails or between the brake valve and spare tire. I'd need to put some little "snouts" on the cross member then though.

I have a body lift so if I put it on top of the rails, it would fit and provide additional bed support, but then I'd be pretty firmly committed to the body lift which I'm not sure is that great an idea.

So any thoughts as to what is the best way to go for a cross-member?

Thanks in advance for all your help so far.

Chip

Got the truck weighed today. I'll put in a leaf and see where that gets me. Then if necessary I'll contact the pros at the spring shop.

My truck as you see it in the pictures weighs 4740 lbs, full tank of gas, me in the drivers seat. The weight on the scale with the front wheels off the scale is 2140 lbs.

Chip