Swapping my 99 GMC Sierra 1500 springs with 1500hd/2500 5 leaf set up

Just taking you along for the process of swapping my leafs

[@georgesanchez9971]

Excellent work. Like your approach and the bolt recommendation. I will be doing the same to my 03 Z71. Thanks for taking the time. Life saver I should add.

[@Crestone-saju]

I have a same model 03 z71. Can you tell me what year of leaf spring 2500 your using or that would fit 03 z71? Thanks

[@worknman78]

You sir deserve at the least a nod from the GM engineers for that fuel tank trick alone!

[@smrtrbl86]

Nicely done. Glad someone made a video cause I'm about to do the same to my truck. I put the air bag loadlifters on it already. But then I added a service bed. So I think the HD springs are the way to go

[@rayaguirre4237]

Did you happen to take measurements of truck's rear height before and after? Just wondering about how much the rear will lift by this swap. Good video!

[@terryfrye4552]

I'm doing the same on my 2001 Silverado 2wd. I'm replacing the shocks, coils, and Rear springs with new ones and I went with 2500hd leafs. I already know the leaf springs won't make carry more weight but I'm putting them on to stop sagging pulling my car trailer once in a while. Plus the back is always full of tools that never get taken out so that should help with the stiffness

[@jesses.7107]

It will increase towing

[@thomasmoorhead42]

​@@jesses.7107oh 100% everyone's just weird about it because it doesn't legally allow you to tow more

[@dnlmachine4287]

Appreciate the effort to post the video. Everyone asking about ride quality, stiffness etc.... IF you want a heavier duty truck, sell your 1500 and buy a 2500/3500. Please do not overload a 1500 truck (or any vehicle). The factory tow/haul capacities are stated assuming PERFECT conditions in a brand new truck. Loading ANY vehicle to its max will wear it out and break parts very quickly. The difference in total components and build is very different from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 to a 1 ton truck. Brakes, wheels, steering, suspension, drivetrain, frame are all designed to work together. Stay gold.

[@golfmanmatt]

Thank you. I need to do my bushings and didn't know how to get those bolts out

[@jamiejodiebird3882]

Thank you My good man for doing this video, I've been thinking about doing the same thing to my truck. Great Idea for the bolt issue. Yes sir GM could learn a few things from the (Little Man) Great job 👍

[@john90304]

I just did the swap and it fits great thanks 2wd

[@jedgarhughes3541]

Good upgrade. I need to do something like this on my Silverado.

[@joshseipp9189]

Nice video I'll be doing the same swap and adding air bags soon

[@bigsky2256]

Thats great! I bet if you pulled the spacers out you would be level, I hate turning the keys ...always stiffens the front end... but the ubolts need to be right size Ordered some 1750lb springs...which is inbetween 1500 and 2500...have the same leaf count as the 1500 but more arch and a overload spring...little more money for the in between size....dont want a stiff ride on my 1500....I got a 2500 d max .....I like my beater for smooth rides but can hold some tongue weight of the 6000lb camper

[@SULLIEDASP]

I'm thinking about doing that I known my dad did that and added bigger tires. I think it would be better or able to tow my 5 wheel trailer but I guess that might be illegal because it be more towing then the truck is recommended to tow. So maybe removing stuff from the trailer would be better.

[@mattrimmel9165]

If it was me I would have just cut the bolts so I wouldn't have to do all the extra work of dropping everything

[@brandonsmith340]

I need to do that to my 99 yukon

[@timshockley4645]

Wind going from 1500 pound Springs to 2500 pound Springs will you have to adjust your opinion angle

[@Irishcream216]

😂😂😂

[@funguy7979]

possibly a silly question but a question nonetheless. I have a 97 Sierra SL 1500single cab long bed. I know the leaf springs from the 2500 are the same length and would bolt up with no fabrication. If I wanted to upgrade to the 2500 leaf springs for more load capacity and then wanted to lower it, not much, would I need a different kit than one used for the 1500 or would I require a rear lowering setup for the 2500..?

[@terryrideout7457]

I like it .Good idea

[@isher9035]

Out of curiosity, could you do this with front coils as well? I have a 2001 Sierra 1500 2WD and just trying to plan some things in the future. I currently have just a 1" spacer on the front coils.

[@100texan2]

They put the spring bolts in like that for safety so if you get t boned that spring bolt doesn’t puncture the fuel tank and cause a fire, but hey man who cares about safety you gots some 3/4 ton truck springs on your truck radiator thats all that matters not safety.

[@sideproject4028]

Interesting. thanks for the input

[@terryfrye4552]

Your so full of crap

[@ThisTall]

You can cut the bolt length so it’s flush with the nut, and it’ll be as flat as the head side. And safety should NEVER be first. 3rd at best.

[@lafrancois6323]

Dude thank you

[@WMS507]

How did the ride feel after. I have 2005 LS crew cab rear wheel drive and very bouncy, I was very use to my 2500 4wheel drive. with no bounce what so ever.

[@irraesto7283]

Nice swap 👌 where did you buy your leaf spring

[@kodyehenderson]

Are the new shocks longer then the factory??

[@Hannibalsshow]

When you slided the gas tank, did you had to move any of the gas lines or anything like that?

[@brandenadams1858]

How did this effect the steering with a heavy load? As the front is still a half ton. Does the front end go way up?

[@fishliquior8576]

im wanting to put 3500 springs on my 2008 longbed 1500 gmc single cab,,any thoughts,,,??

[@petermorales695]

if you did this, did you take pictures?

[@brandonsmith340]

Do it

[@bmxtito28]

Good video just no links

[@arealmaintenanceandrepairl1103]

Did it lift it up any ? What if u remove the bottom spacer would it be stock hight

[@Twitchyii]

Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the video guide. I'm about to do the same to my truck, but I have a couple questions. Do you happen to know if the struts out of a 2500 will fit all around? I bought them so I going to try. I also have new torsion keys because I figured the front might still end up being a bit low after its all done, which based on what you said is likely to be the case. Also, do you happen to know the torque specs for the bolts on the leafs?

[@carlosperalta9060]

You are crazy men but I love you

[@jefferyhaynes2374]

Did you use the factory ubolts or the ones off the hd

[@sideproject4028]

HD! They are a bit longer

[@leviwoodring6101]

All 4x4s have the 2 ich block not just z71s.

[@JeremyWilson-vu2pw]

The z71s have an extra small overload helper spring on the bottom, I know this because when first trying to do this, I ordered the spring for these trucks, but when going to install my truck already had one due to it being a factory z71, my brothers same truck but 4x4 only didn’t, have it. Which is why my long bed z71 was GVWR at 9400lbs and his was 70 something hundred. So we added air 5000 lb bags to his and mine, n did a 2500 leaf swap on mine. And put my z71 springs under his,sent the extra overload springs back. As mine is the single wheel long bed service bed truck with a tool topper and ladder rack, decked drawer system and cargo slide on it in the fleet. His is just is a short bed 4x4 that has we use as a pull truck or hauling extra tools, not on my truck. My truck will never weigh 9400 even with service body, aluminum topper, cargo slide, decked system, loaded down with tools, 36 gal of fuel and 4 people in it. Yes I know I need a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton, but for the money this 1500 does the job nicely, has 200,000 on it now like this, has never gave any transmission or any other problems.

[@leviwoodring6101]

@@JeremyWilson-vu2pw that's is wrong. My 2wd has the same leaf set up as my z71. Well it did till I put an ad ad a lead in the z71. My 2wd doesn't have a tow package either.

[@JeremyWilson-vu2pw]

@@leviwoodring6101 I’m just stating what I have experienced and what I was told by multiple gm truck builders and gm dealers, including the customer service reps for the add a leaf we had ordered. His non z71 had the same blocks as mine. But didn’t have the extra lower helper overload leaf that mine had. So we went back the xtra leaf because my truck already had it, put my leafs on his reg short bed, Chevy non z71 truck, everything else identical to mine, both with tow packages and all. Only difference is mine is a loaded up LT truck with a long bed and his was an LS truck short bed.

[@JeremyWilson-vu2pw]

@@leviwoodring6101 N if your 2wd had the same setup as a z71 then it was a z71 in 2wheel drive, z71 is an off road package that can be bought in both 4 & 2wd trucks, it consist of skid plates, heavier suspension, so forth and so on. Unless it had been changed previous to you owing it. Our trucks were both bought new and are one owner trucks we knew nothing of the sort had been messed with.

[@leviwoodring6101]

@@JeremyWilson-vu2pw my 2wd is a WT with to option ac and Cruise control. I have the build sheet. It is not a 2wd z71.

[@RollingwithRuckus]

I'm wondering if a 2500 rear axle would bolt onto a 1500 silverado 🤔

[@thetacticaltildo1139]

only one way to find out, find a 2500 parts truck and experiment lol

[@matthewkincaid9589]

No you'd either need a driveshaft made or an adapter u joint

[@truckinoutdoors4119]

where did you get the springs?

[@sideproject4028]

Pull a part!

[@ivanascencio6188]

How much rougher does it ride?

[@ivanascencio6188]

And did you use 2500 or 2500HD springs?

[@john90304]

Is that truck a 2WD OR 4WD?

[@heymanmotorsports49]

Z71’s are 4wd

[@jaycezeniuk2506]

Nice so now you have even more stress on your front end. Bye bye ball joints! The truck is not designed for that, unless you’re hauling a trailer or a slip tank FULL of fuel all the time

[@terryfrye4552]

no, you're just stupid

[@elmntlgnd4995]

10 minute video and all I got to see was a strap going under the gas tank and you taking off left shock and the spare tire. No socket or wrench sizes, No close up video and No verbal walk through of what you are doing.

[@Twitchyii]

If you have a socket and wrench set I'm sure you can figure that part out. He told us what needs to be removed and showed us that flipping the front leaf bolt is a good idea. Also showed us ride height difference and showed what it looked like after cranking the torsion bars up. Not sure how much more hand holding you need.

[@gabrielMendoza-hh6wj]

i know that's right maybe he should hold people's hand too