Leaf Springs

Shop leaf springs for trucks, Jeeps and classic muscle cars, including OE-style replacements, lift packs and lowering springs. Brands include Dorman, Skyjacker, BDS, Belltech, Superlift, Tuff Country and Hotchkis. Prices run $101 to $1,270, and most springs cost $175 to $500. Lowering a truck? Our how to lower a truck guide compares leaf springs with shackles and blocks.

How to choose leaf springs

Leaf springs carry the rear axle on most pickups, older Jeeps and classic muscle cars, and the front axle on many older 4x4s. When you shop for them, you are picking one of three jobs:

  • Replacement at stock height. Your springs have sagged, cracked or broken, or the truck leans. Dorman makes OE-style packs, including HD versions with more capacity.
  • Lift. You want ground clearance and room for bigger tires. Skyjacker Softride, BDS Glide-Ride, Superlift and Tuff Country EZ-Ride springs raise the axle and often come as part of a full lift.
  • Lowering. You want a lower truck or a better-handling classic. Belltech makes lowering leafs for trucks and muscle cars, and Hotchkis builds lowering packages for muscle cars.

Then match the exact year, cab, bed length and drivetrain, plus front or rear position. Leaf springs are often specific to 2WD or 4WD and to the payload rating your truck left the factory with. Replace springs in pairs so the axle sits level.

How to measure an old leaf spring

If you are matching an older or modified vehicle, measure before you order. EATON Detroit Spring recommends measuring along the curve of the spring as if it were flat, not straight from eye to eye. Measure from the center of each eye to the center bolt and record both numbers, because the center bolt is not always centered. Then measure the arch from a straight edge across the eye centers down to the main leaf next to the center bolt.

Leaf spring brands compared

Brand and lineMain useProductsPrice range
DormanOE-style replacement, standard and HD58$123 to $1,270
Skyjacker SoftrideLift43$209 to $506
BDS Glide-RideLift25$161 to $639
SuperliftLift11$177 to $405
Tuff Country EZ-RideLift6$113 to $670
BelltechLowering, trucks and muscle cars37$175 to $457
HotchkisLowering packages, muscle cars2$855

We also carry single lowering leafs from BMR Suspension ($679), Detroit Speed ($537) and Ridetech ($406) for classic builds.

Multi-leaf vs fewer leaves

A spring pack with more leaves carries more weight but rides stiffer when empty. Lift springs like Skyjacker Softride are designed to keep a reasonable ride while adding height. Dorman HD part numbers add capacity for trucks that tow or haul. If you only need extra support under load, a helper spring may be cheaper than a full spring swap: see our helper springs.

Fitment by truck

Belltech lowering leafs are the easiest to match because the fitment is in the title. Here are the main trucks they cover:

TruckBelltech leaf springPrice
Ford F-150, 2004-2008Rear lowering leaf$280
Ford F-150, 1997-20033 inch lowering leaf$279
Dodge Ram Quad Cab, 2002-20063 inch lowering leaf$265
Chevy C1500 and C2500, 1988-1998Lowering leaf$234
Chevy Colorado, 2004 and up3 inch lowering leaf$190
Ford Ranger, 1998-20043 inch lowering leaf$190
Toyota Pickup, 1984-19953 inch lowering leaf$190

For complete setups by truck, browse F-150 suspension, Silverado and Sierra suspension, Ram 1500 suspension, Tacoma and 4Runner suspension and Super Duty lift kits. Classic Mustang, Camaro and Bel Air owners will find Belltech muscle car leafs from $252 to $328.

Leaf springs vs other ways to change height

A new spring pack is not the only way to move a leaf-sprung axle. Lowering blocks and drop shackles and hangers are cheaper ways to drop the rear. Add-a-leafs and lift blocks can add height. A complete spring is the better choice when the old pack has sagged or cracked, or when you want the ride and capacity to match the new height. For a full comparison, read how to lower a truck.

Signs your leaf springs are worn

  • The rear sits lower than it used to, or the truck leans to one side.
  • The rear bottoms out or squats hard with a load or trailer.
  • A leaf is cracked or broken, or leaves have shifted out of line.
  • The arch has flattened compared with a new spring.
  • Squeaks or clunks from the eyes, which can also point to worn bushings or shackles.

What else you'll need

  • U-bolts. Use new U-bolts when you replace springs. Old ones stretch and should not be reused.
  • Bushings and shackles if the eyes or shackles are worn.
  • Shocks that match the new ride height.
  • Bump stops after lowering, so the axle does not hit the frame: see bump stops.
  • A C-notch on trucks lowered more than a few inches in the rear: see what is a C-notch.

Install notes and costs

Swapping rear leaf springs is a common home job with good jack stands and penetrating oil for rusty hardware. Support the frame, support the axle, then remove the U-bolts, shackle bolt and front hanger bolt. Rusty hardware is the main thing that slows the job down. Torque spring hardware to the factory specification with the truck at ride height. Get an alignment check if the front height changes.

On our store, most lift and lowering leaf springs cost $161 to $506 each. Dorman OE-style springs run $123 to $1,270 depending on the vehicle and capacity. Muscle car lowering packages run $252 to $855.

Popular picks

Related guides

Sources

Leaf Springs FAQ

How do I know if my leaf springs are bad?
Look for a rear end that sits lower than before or leans to one side, hard bottoming or squat with a load, cracked or broken leaves, and an arch that has gone flat. Squeaks from the spring eyes can also point to worn bushings or shackles.
Should I replace leaf springs in pairs?
Yes. Replace both springs on the axle together so the truck sits level and both sides carry the load the same way.
How do I measure a leaf spring for replacement?
Measure along the curve of the spring as if it were flat, from the center of each eye to the center bolt, and record both numbers. Then measure the arch from a straight edge across the eye centers down to the main leaf beside the center bolt.
How much do leaf springs cost?
On our store, leaf springs run $101 to $1,270, and most cost $175 to $500 each. Lift springs from Skyjacker, BDS and Superlift mostly sit in the $160 to $500 range.
Can leaf springs lower a truck?
Yes. Lowering leaf springs from Belltech reset the arch to drop the rear, usually by about 3 inches on the trucks we list. Lowering blocks and drop shackles are cheaper alternatives if your stock springs are still in good shape.
Do I need new U-bolts when I replace leaf springs?
Yes. U-bolts stretch when they are torqued, so fit new ones with new springs rather than reusing the old set.
Are leaf springs better than helper springs for towing?
If your springs are worn or sagging, new or HD springs fix the root problem. If they are healthy and you only need extra support under load, helper springs or air springs are usually cheaper and keep the empty ride softer.