So is the only way to get the front bolt out of the drivers side leaf spring to drop the gas tank?

Why on earth wouldn't they put the bolt in from the outside, rather than from the inside out?

Thanks a lot, GM.

 

the way i did it was to push it out a bit and cut the end off, then push it out some more and cut the next piece off until I could get it all out... then I just assembled from the other side with the new bolt.

 

I thought of that. I have my father in laws sawzall, but I wasn't having good luck with it. I finally dropped the tank down enough to get the bolt out. I definitely put the bolt back in the other way!

 

i used a 4" grinder with cutoff wheel for mine...

 

Yeah, that probably would have worked better!

 

Hey...what leaf spring load range is going in and why did you choose it? I have been wanting to replace the OEM ones, just not sure if the ride would become really harsh or not.

 

I went in with a stock pack from the junkyard. The donor vehicle had a lot less miles than mine, so I figured the leafs would be in better shape. I was planning on cutting the lowest leaf from my original pack and using it as an add a leaf (search bastard pack) but it would have taken me days to cut it with the sawzall I had. I'll probably keep the old springs around until I can get access to a grinder and cutoff wheel.

 

I did the same with that bolt. Cut it off with a grinder, push it it through, cut it again. Kind of a pain but sure beats the alternative!
I ended up getting new leaf packs and did a +1 using the old mains. Gave me about 1 1/2" extra left but not fond of the stiffness. I've heard the longer you go with +1 the smoother the ride. I couldn't imagine adding a shorty.