I have a 1988 K5 with a 6" lift and 35" tires that I would like to take off and put on my 1986 K5. My question is how do I safely remove the front and rear leaf springs and put on the 86? Could someone give me some step by step instructions on how to do this? Anything with force (springs) scares the crap out of me!! Thanks for any help

 

ttt ttt

 

It is pretty straight forward... Hopefully you have a lot of jack stands.

You just have to support the frame and start unbolting things. Once the frame is supported with the wheels off the ground, the springs will be completely unloaded. Then it is just a matter of unbolting the leaf springs at the front and back of each spring and removing the U-bolts at the axle. The spring could then be removed. Have a jack under the axle so it doesn't just drop when you loosen the u-bolts.

 

Be prepared if your in the rust belt for all them bolts to get stuck or break. If your swapping axles too just leave the springs attached to the axle and roll it under as one piece if you have the room to do so. Then ubolts really shoukdnt be reused anyways.