Hi all, I recently did a trade and ended up with an '87 Chevy K10. Engine is a 305 TBI, 4 speed with the 6.55:1 granny low gear (CH465)
According to the previous owner, the owners before him used it as a plow truck, with a 7' plow on the front. They apparently swapped the front springs out with 3/4 ton springs to hold the huge plow up. It's also got a dual shock setup in the front that I thought to be aftermarket, but apparently it was factory (RPO code Z75).
My questions are these: How many leafs (leaves?) are in 3/4 ton springs for these model years? Mine has 5 leaves in front and 5 in the back. Does this sound right? They said the back still had 1/2 ton springs.
If the fronts are 3/4 and the back are 1/2, then I want to replace the backs with 3/4 ton springs as well. If I can find some 3/4 ton axles with springs still on them, I may just swap the axles and everything, as it has 3.08 gears in it now (gag) and I want to replace the current
31" baldies with some 33" or 35" tires. Would be nice to get down to at least a 3.73 or 4.10 ratio.
How hard is it to swap out the axles/springs for 3/4 ton units? Direct bolt in, or do I need to get the welder out?
Thanks in advance,
Tony Kimmell Towanda, IL
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