Stock Leaf spring Question

Does anyone know why the bottom most (Thickest spring on the bottom of the pack or aka overload spring) leaf spring is bent in the opposite direction? Like if you look at the leaf pack, all the other leaf springs are in a smiley, but the bottom most spring (overload) is almost in a frown. Shouldn't it be in a smiley like the rest of the pack?

... see how the bottom spring is bent in a frown. What would happen if i took that spring and flipped it the other way?

 

Its called an overload leaf. It prevents the other springs from deflecting past that point. Do NOT flip it. Its really thick and would make the rear stiff as a rock. Leave it how it is.

 

yep. totally normal.

 

The overload progressively adds more stiffness to the suspension. If it were shaped like the others, it would be the same spring rate through it's range of motion.

 

I just pulled apart a Chevy leaf pack to swap out some leafs with my Toyota pack and the Chevy overload has an upward, but mostly flat arch to it. Opposite of the toyotas. I thought it was interesting to say the least.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I thought maybe when the lift kit was installed the spring upside down. So i guess if i was to flip that spring around it would make my truck ride like a dump truck?

 

It will ride rough, unless loaded. Also, you can say goodbye to cornering, as your rear-end will try to hop off the road, if you hit a bump.