Z-71 springs

[90plow]

I have a 95 gmc 1500 4x4 reg cab non-z-71. The rear leaf springs are starting to show wear and are sagging espeacially on the drivers side. I was thinking about rearching my old springs, or getting lift springs. I didnt want to rearch the old ones and have them be crappy again and I dont have the money to put into a lift kit (if I lift the rear the front would require lifting also) I was thinking as an alternative getting stock z-71 springs for the rear would that work? Does any one know the difference between my stock springs and the Z-71 springs and the cost of them? Also can anyone give a rough estimate on re-arching the old springs? Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance :waving .
Eric

[John DiMartino]

Eric, what I did on my 91GMC was i bought a set of 2500 HD(8600) GVWR rear springs out a a wrecking yard.they truck had 22K miles on them.They had 6 leaves the stockers were 4,they rasied the back of the truck about 1-2" and it rode a tiny bit harder. You can get the aftermarket,too pretty cheap. id get 5 or 6 leaves. The 5600-6800 Gvwr trucks had 4 leaves, 7200 GVWR trucks had 5 leaves,the 8600 had 6. BTW Z71 springs are thesameas reg 1500 springs,only the torsion bars and shocks are different.

[90plow]

Thanks John, I want to get heavier springs but what Im afraid of is rear end hop. Right now on the highway my truck will hop in some corners and the back end will get jumpy from side to side. I know some new shocks will help but being that its so short the wheel hop is hard to stop. I think maybe some after market 5 leaf rear springs and turn up the torsion bars to level it out some. I have so far only turned the bars two turns and I still have plenty of play left on the bolts so maybe another couple turns along with the rear springs will make some difference. Do you know what the difference is on the Z-71 t-bars is? Sorry for the long post.
Thanks,
Eric

[JohnnyU]

I thought the Z-71 torsion bars were those used on the 4200 something front ends, or the 2500LD, the 6lug trucks labeled as 2500's.

[ratlover]

the t bars of a z 71 are stiffer :confused: I thought they were the same?

[Z71]

The Z71 does not include heavier springs or torsion bars, they are the same as a stock K1500. Spring and torsion bars are computer selected based on the option content of each particular truck. You cannot determine by visual comparions.

The Z71 for this year included; High pressure gas shocks, poly-urethane jounce bumpers, Z71 decals, skid plates.

I have owned a few Z71 trucks

1989, 1992,1996,1999 & 2001 (current).

I have no information but have been told by some that if you want to make a 1500 into a HD, use 3/4 ton torsion bars and have a spring shop build you HD rear leafs. I would not recommend doing this if you use the truck empty, the ride will be harsh. With our last 2 works trucks (survey rigs), we had the spring shop add 2 more leafs to the rears and were were able to carry 1000-1500 lbs of gear and the trucks rode level. Without the 2 extra leafs, the rear would sag after about 1 yr and was worse with the 1 ton arrow board trailer being pulled.

[ratlover]

I knew that the older Z's had different shocks but thought the new Z's didnt? I had a 97 and loved the way the truck rode and handled with the bilstens.

I think there is more mystery out there about what a Z 71 is than where Hoffa is at ;) I've had people ademant that it meant you got a HO motor and all kinds of wierd stuff

[Z71]

Here is the info right from the current GM order computer

http://www.synthetic-oil.com/images/Z71.jpg

[90plow]

Thanks Z71. I think that I've decided to put 5 leaves in the rear instead of the 4 that way I'll have a halfway decent ride with a little more height. To compensate out front I'll just crank the T-bars a little. I dont mind a little nose dive if the truck will hold weight better either. Rgiht now when I put my mower in the back, fourwheeler, brush, wood, Etc... the truck will sag even under a light load and it just isn't holding as much as I think it could which is another one of the reasons I want heaveir leaves.
Thanks for the responses
Eric

[razor]

I have a 94 "regular" K1500, I had a rear leaf add and re-arced a few years ago. I think it cost about $150 for the whole job from the spring shop. The truck rode a little harded but not too bad. The back end of the truck does not sag much with the trailer on now. For me it was a great improvment adding the extra spring over the stock set up.

Ray