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Leaf spring length - eye-to-eye

toddz69

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Nov 28, 2001
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10,080
I have two sets of aftermarket leaf springs sitting in the driveway right now. The overall length of one set of springs is approximately 2.5" longer than the other. One is a 3.5" lift and the other is 4.5" lift.

Can someone else that has an uninstalled set of springs, either lifted or stock, give me a rough idea of what their springs measure, eye-to-eye? These two sets are 43" and 45.5" respectively.

Thanks,
Todd Z.

Edit - I installed one of the new springs this morning and took a shot of the shackle at ride height vs. the one on the old spring. The main leaf of the old springs measures 46" long and the main leaf of the new spring measures 48".
 

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broncnaz

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May 22, 2003
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2.5in lift springs eye to eye uninstalled 44 1/2" had about 5 years of use before I removed them.
 

NicksTrix

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Aug 1, 2001
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6,386
looking at your pics there i would think you'd need to have both sets at the same distance eye to eye to establish a true arc value.
do you have a come along or 2" ratchet strap you could wrap around the eyes of your new set to get that number?
 

StnePny

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Santa Monica, Ca.
I, also have a set of un-install leaf springs, it been so long I do not know were they came from or what the lift is? They are 44.5" from eye to eye.

I measured the stock leafs on the truck, the way it sits (body off) and it was 46". As broncnaz said that a 2.5" lift measures 44.5" I do not see how that can be a 2.5 lift. I not catching on or missing something.
 

StnePny

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Santa Monica, Ca.
With the eyes on the floor and the spring arch stand up, how many inches is it to the first leaf from the floor

I have a 5-pak that is also 44.5 and measure 10.5 arch
 

broncnaz

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Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
24,341
I, also have a set of un-install leaf springs, it been so long I do not know were they came from or what the lift is? They are 44.5" from eye to eye.

I measured the stock leafs on the truck, the way it sits (body off) and it was 46". As broncnaz said that a 2.5" lift measures 44.5" I do not see how that can be a 2.5 lift. I not catching on or missing something.

I'll get my arch measurements in the morning. I'll also measure stock springs installed and 2.5in springs installed see if we have any differances.
All springs are a little different ie spring rate, leaf thickness, preset arch, number of leafs ect. I think you've hit it with the arch measurement. Once any wieght is on the springs they will flatten out so your stock springs will give a different measurement installed.


Ok here's what I've come up with.
Uninstalled 2.5in advertised springs eye to eye = 44.5, arch 9.5"

2.5in lift springs installed on my 73 eye to eye 48 1/4" (hard top, full 23 gal tank, rear seat, tools full sized spare)

Stock height springs orginal on my 71 = 47 1/2" (hard top, rear seat, empty rear tank, full side tank, spare tire)
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
toddz69

toddz69

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2.5in lift springs installed on my 73 eye to eye 48 1/4" (hard top, full 23 gal tank, rear seat, tools full sized spare)

Stock height springs orginal on my 71 = 47 1/2" (hard top, rear seat, empty rear tank, full side tank, spare tire)

I appreciate you guys all taking the time to measure your different setups to give me some data. I did a quick measurement on mine tonight with the weight of the vehicle on them and came up with an eye-to-eye measurement of 48.5". I tried to do some extrapolation with measuring the leaf measuring flat, the arc travel of the shackle, etc. to try and convince myself that everything's kosher but I'm not there yet. I'll contact the vendor tomorrow for their thoughts.

Thanks,
Todd Z.
 

broncnaz

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May 22, 2003
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24,341
I think your over thinking it Todd.
The differances of arch in the spring and the angle of the shackles tells the story.
Let us know what the vender says.
 
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