Can you judge leaf springs ?

By looking at pics....?

Are mine in need of replacement or are they ok ?

I can get other pics if needed

This is deiver side

 

Here is passenger side

 

I'd say yes.

 

Thanks Tom

Yes, as in time for replacement ?

How can you tell (since I am trying to learn what you are seeing)?

Lastly , any recommended oem style replacements ?

 

Yes, about time for replacement. Drivers side is very slightly arched upward (frown), passenger is almost straight across. As for recommendations, General Spring seems to be popular for no lift, OME if you want to go up a bit. I am just getting ready to replace mine, as they are sagging a bit.

 

they look like they are starting to frown.

 

How many miles are on those?

But yes, those need replacing.

 

def ready for at least replacement if not upgrade to better quality. looks like you are running stock height? my friend did the 63 chevy swap and got stupid lift/flex if that is the route you end up wanting to go. not sure if they make dakars for 1st gen or not

 

They do, they give around 3" of lift IIRC

 

Thank you

So it should smile and not frown ?

I don't want any lift

I will look up general springs

Thanks !

 

They are 17 years old
210 k miles

 

I am running stock height

28inch factory tires

Truck lives on my date farm and comes home twice a year when I can do the maintenance

 

yes new leafs will have a slight arch to them ( smiley face) flat or frowned leafs are sagged and worn which will decrease ride height and your trucks ride quality and load capacity will suffer.

 

the dakar or 63? his 63's gave way more than 3"

do you haul a lot of weight with it

 

It's my experience first gen leafs are always slightly flat or curved down. I bought my truck with 61k miles, and they were flat. The leafs on these are junk. Check out Wheelers off-road leaf packs

 

The dakars. I just double checked, it's actually 2.25" of lift. BUT if your leafs are sagging that bad, you'll see probably 4 or 5 inches of net lift xD

 

yeah id say dakars for op's application im not too up to date with 1st gen stuff

 

Yeah load capacity is important. What got me to actually get under the truck and look is, the bed was full of dates from the farm, and over a few bumps, it felt like "truck bottomed out, or hit the bumpstop," that is my best description in non truck terms.

Figured you guys are the experts, so I would post here.

 

200-300lbs.

 

Since I am not lifting the front, I don't want a 5 inch lift in the rear