rear leaf removal questions

[rentedmule]

hey all, I've got a few questions for the pros - I'm getting zq8 coils and 3" blocks put in next tuesday. I've measured fender lip height on all corners and that should level me out perfectly until I get the supercharger in - i figure that extra 50lbs or so should drop the front another 1/4"??

anyway, I have the z85 rear springs with 4 full leafs plus the flat overload leaf and the ride is horrible with nothing in the back. How much will I drop the rear if I remove 1 of the middle leafs? I've read 1.5" in some threads but I think those trucks only had 3+overload leaf. I don't want to lower the truck any more than what I get from the blocks so what are my options? Can I get another 1" spacer to compensate for the lost spring or should I just swap for 2" blocks if I end up taking out a leaf?

I'm probaby not going to do anything with it for another while so I'll see if the ride is any different with the new parts on it (doubtful). I don't want to get ghetto (more ghetto than blocks that is) on the rear suspension if i'm going to be adding significant hp but ride-quality better than an ox-cart would be nice!

[baggedandcaddied]

i would not recommend pulling leafs. I know people have done it and had no problems but there are inherant risks that you take by doing this. I have 3 inch blocks in the rear and it doesnt ride to bad.

[droopy89]

I second that, i have 3 inch blocks, and soon new shocks, but if you take out a leaf, the ride quality goes down the drain quickly.

[87wildside]

I f you are going to pull a leaf take out the overload spring. It should soften the ride.
I personaly wouldn't pull leafs though.

[droopy89]

I wouldnt even do that, just buy some 3 inch drop leafs

[T Man]

I have an opposite take on the leafs. I had 3+ overload and when I only pulled the bottom one (not the overload) I had no wheel hop problems at all nor did my ride seem to suffer. It dropped me close to an inch, probably less though.

[droopy89]

Maybe its a personal thing for me, cause my buddies truck bounces everywhere wherever he goes over a pebble, and he took out a leaf

[rentedmule]

thanks for input everyone. maybe i'll leave it for now and see how it goes after the drop. Are the 3" drop leafs stiffer than stock? the other thing i thought about doing was picking up a stock 3 spring leafpack from a wrecker.

[87wildside]

My drop springs are slightly softer than stock but when I put the drop shocks on it stiffened back up. The springs I have came without the overload spring. They are Chassis tech springs.