[cboy]

I want to soften up the ride on my new sedan-delivery suspension. To soften the MOST, would I remove the longest leaf spring I can or the shortest?

[F&J]

Everything I've been told is that the shorter ones give the most load capacity. If you look at 3/4 ton pickups they have a very short, but thick, helper at the bottom of the stack.

Another way to think of it is a leaf assembly that is longer, will have a better ride than a car with short leaf assembly.

Of course, you can't just toss all the shortest ones as then the longer ones are not supported as designed.

[cboy]

Originally Posted by F&J

If you look at 3/4 ton pickups they have a very short, but thick, helper at the bottom of the stack.

That one I eliminated from the stack before I started.

Originally Posted by F&J

Of course, you can't just toss all the shortest ones as then the longer ones are not supported as designed.

Is there an inherent problem with doing this...other than getting the ride TOO spongy? Is there greater risk of potentially breaking a spring if the shorter leafs are not there to support the longer ones? Any other potential problems?

[sonicweb]

I am in the same boat with my 50 Chevy Pickup. I replaced the rear leafs with brand new old stock ones and rebuilt the front leafs. The ride I have now is a kidney buster. I am attempting to do the same thing. The rear has 9 or 10 leafs in the back and there are 8 in the front. I have talked to several old timers who have done this in the past. The way it was explained to me was the same thing that was posted before. Long gives you the softer ride, short giving the support. So it's a matter of taking some of the shorter ones out but leaving enough for support. I have also heard to take out every other leaf till you are down to the short ones, then those you can omit or add for height The very shortest one is just for height. It's a matter of playing with it to get it the way you want it. I am guessing that's exactly what I will have to do.

[Brian_B]

A lot of the old (mid 50s) ford trucks are lowered in that manner. Removing every other leaf in the spring pack. I did mine that way and hated it. I put it back to the stock height.

The ride was too spongy and it hit the bump stops.