Leaf spring info

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

So i know the trucks with the z83 suspension leaf springs have 3 leafs, The zq8 leafs are also 3 leafs but those springs give a 2" drop.
If i found a truck that was a non zq8 but did have the z83 do the z83 leafs also give a 2" drop? or do they keep stock height?
I have z85 suspension and want to change the leafs out and am hopin i can find a truck at the junk yard with the z83 leafs and get them cheap to help with my ride quality.
Anyone know anything about what i am talkin about?

[12sws27]

You're saying you have the HD stock leafs and want a better ride right? Pull a leaf and you get a softer ride.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

I dont know how to pull a leaf. I was wondering cause i wanted to get a set of the zq8 leafs cause they give a 2" drop and i wanted to just get rid of the 3" blocks. But if i can get the z83 leafs and they give me 2" drop that would be better cause it would be more likely to be able to find the z83's in the junk yard

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Any idea how much of a drop taking one leaf might give?
And taking one leaf should give a better smoother ride right?

[12sws27]

Jack up rear of truck by the frame,

Put it on jack stands,

Place jack under on side of the rear and jack it up just enough to support it,

Remove bottom shock nut, let shock hang while still bolted to the top and just push it out the way or something,

Loosen U bolt nut all the way, You don't need to remove the nuts if your ubolts are still long,

Jack up the rear enough to where you can remove the block,

Clamp the top 2 leafs together on each end,

Remove the bolts holding the leafs together,

Remove the leaf right above the over load leaf,

Put over load back and reinstall bolt. The bolt might be a little to long so a washer or 2 on the bottom will fix that are you can just buy a shorter allen head bolt,

Put your blocks back in, lower the rear, line every thing up and bolt it all back together again.

Repeat above on the other side.

[12sws27]

Any idea how much of a drop taking one leaf might give?
And taking one leaf should give a better smoother ride right?

1-2" maybe
It will make it softer. The rear won't be as stiff. You'll also lose towing capacity.

[Mikz86TA]

ZQ8 is 1.5" drop over all other 2WD suspensions.
Z85 is HD and Z83 is Std suspensions. They r the same ride height.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

I dont care about towing and really dont haul anything in the bed. Maybe some tools once in a while but not often

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Is there a difference in leaf number between the z85 leafs and the z83 leafs?
I am wondering if i can find a set of the z83 leafs on the cheap in the junk yard.
The z83 leafs are supposed to be "smooth ride" and the z85 is the "firm ride" or hd.

[rentedmule]

Another late reply but the Z85 leafs have a total of 5 leafs in the pack including the flat over load. You should be able to find a standard 4 leaf pack at any yard, I think the 5 leaf ones are less common.