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I haven't removed leafs from the Rough Country lift you are running, but I've done it a bunch on my Alcans on my Tacoma. As long as you don't have a leaf unsupported by the leaf beneath it by more than a couple of inches, you can flex it as far as you want without issue. On the other hand, if your leafs are unsupported for a long stretch, you have a chance of bending the unsupported leaf. I say just use your judgement and go for it!
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb
I have a friend who used to have an 81 Cherokee Laredo, He put on a 4" OME lift. It was a harsh ride so he tore down each spring pack and cut all the springs except the main to a shorter length. It did the trick to soften the ride.
I really think that the bottom spring is an add a leaf. With how thick the leaves are you could probably even remove the bottom two leaves. Take one off and experiment. The spring rate you want is 300-400lbs per inch of compression. They are something stupid like 550 or 600 stock!
No one can accuse the Rough Country corp. of false advertising, when you install one you learn the meaning of the word "truck". If you want a soft cushy ride, go buy a Cadillac or a Lexus. Rough Country lifts are built for hard working trucks that can carry heavy loads. They are awesome, but comfortable they are not. Maybe they should have called the company Rough Ride.
I'm in the same boat as Cheapthrills, this lift was already on the wag. I want the truck to be a little softer mostly for ride comfort, but also for flex reasons. And I don't need the truck to carry more than the weight of 4 people + gear. So I am willing to sacrifice some of the load carrying capacity of the springs for a softer ride.
Find a set of factory springs in a boneyard, prices on new springs are stupid high. Try JC Whitney for factory replacement, they MAY have them, or just take the thing to a spring and suspension shop, they can easily remove a leaf or two, that'll soften her up. You can do the work in your garage if you've got a good jack and a few basic tools, it's easiest if you simply remove one spring at a time, then remove a leaf or two, put her back together and reinstall, the spring center bolt will need to be cut down to size or it will go through the spring perch hole and hit the axle tube.
In my case, it didn't. I think that was because my spring rate was too high for my rig, given it's weight. I think the height difference was 1/4" or so.
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb