82 k20 front leaf spring question

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Joined
Sep 10, 2023
Posts
46
Reaction score
78
Location
Caribou Maine
First Name
Brett
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
So I bought another square. It's an 82 K20. It seems to sit higher than most, but it's all factory.

My buddy I bought the truck from went to replace the front leaf springs, got the driver's side in, and it sits almost 2 inches lower than the passenger side that still has the old spring. The new spring is rated at 1900lb.

I want to get springs that will keep it sitting as high as the passenger side so it doesn't have a forward rake. Has anyone else run into this? Do they make 2 inch lift springs for the front of a k20?

The first pic shows how high the passenger side sits. The second is the part number for the replacement springs he had bought. I thought maybe they were one ton springs, but when I look up one ton springs I get the same part numbers.
 

Attachments

  • 20250705_181717.jpg
    20250705_181717.jpg
    266.8 KB · Views: 56
  • 20250707_144909.jpg
    20250707_144909.jpg
    230.1 KB · Views: 49

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
5,135
Reaction score
19,118
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
I see it has plow gear on the front, were the old springs arched up, down, or flat? Two or three leaf?

There is a potential that a previous owner had the original springs re-arched to help counter the extra weight of plow equipment, or had the packs rebuilt using the original main leaf for that need.

Just spitballing here.
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,501
Reaction score
8,902
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
My K20 has a two inch lift (Rancho). :popcorn:
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
9,429
Reaction score
17,282
Location
The Right side of Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
What @legopnuematic said.
Any old truck that’s hung a plow for any length of time on original old springs is not going to sit higher than stock. It looks leveled in that pic. IE a 2” or so lift.
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2023
Posts
46
Reaction score
78
Location
Caribou Maine
First Name
Brett
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I see it has plow gear on the front, were the old springs arched up, down, or flat? Two or three leaf?

There is a potential that a previous owner had the original springs re-arched to help counter the extra weight of plow equipment, or had the packs rebuilt using the original main leaf for that need.

Just spitballing here.

They are four leaf with just a very tiny bit of arch with the truck sitting on the ground. The truck came off a local closed down air force base. I wonder if I should just order two inch lift springs for the front.
 

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
5,135
Reaction score
19,118
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
If it had four leafs up front they had either been altered (a leaf or leafs added) or not stock springs.

2 leaf was the standard with three being an option up front:

From the 1981 vehicle information kit (the 1982 doesn't show this page, should be the same)
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
9,940
Reaction score
19,065
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
If it had four leafs up front they had either been altered (a leaf or leafs added) or not stock springs.

2 leaf was the standard with three being an option up front:

From the 1981 vehicle information kit (the 1982 doesn't show this page, should be the same)
You must be registered for see images attach
Plus don't stock fronts have a negative arch and rears have a positive arch. Which is why if you run rear springs on the front you can get a few inches of lift. Are your springs 52" long?
 
  • Like
Reactions: WFO
Top