I've been searching the forum for information on replacing the front leaf springs with stock/no lift springs because I thought mine were worn out. Some of the stuff I keep reading leads me to believe that the factory front springs do not have much arch and are even close to flat. Is this true, can someone clear this up for me? If it is true that they do not have much arch, does anybody have the add-a-leafs on the front? My tire to fender clearance is about 1" less in the front than the back and I'd just like to fix that. This will probably only be a temporary thing as I want to ditch my 3" body lift for a 1" BL and a 3"-4" suspension lift; I just don't have the $$$ for that at the moment.

 

yes they are basically flat from the factory.

 

Yep, stock fronts are basically flat even reverse arched:



http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_suspension.shtml#PhaseI

Add a leaf is trick up front as you need to maintain clearance for the steering drag link to clear the springs and u-bolts for proper steering. I was never able to get more than 4 leaves in mine (note stock springs are 4 leaves), so you might be able to swap some leaves around. Of get a 2" lift spring from OME.

 

Thanks, I feel alot better now. I'll just wait until I have money for a lift and gears, I'd like to go up to 35's or 36's

 

mine are inverted, but i figure they were flat when new. only about an inch to and inch and a half clearance between the springs and the bump stops... makes for a really crappy ride!

Al

 

My stock front springs are flat out of the truck and no weight on them and looked 4crawler's while under the truck