very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

ive really never seen rear coils on a vehicle from this era much less a truck. every late 60-early 70 car ive had/seen has always had rear leafs. is there an advantage in having rear coils over leafs?

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

Coil springs were standard in the 67-72 Chevs. Actually, from 60-72 I beleive.

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

yep, it's a loop hole GM used to have that long trailing arm in stock car racing, it had to be used in a production vehicle, so they stuffed it under the truck. This way they could run it in races.
It's a very good set up, good ride, hooks up good, easy to adjust.
Sucks running exhaust though.

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

:agree: It's really not a bad system , at least in the 1/2 tons anyway . And it does hook well at the strip . Isn't Nascar still using trailing arm ? :)

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

yes,nascar is still running it!

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

Nice - I never knew about the Nascar connection to the rear suspension setup on our trucks :D

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

Coil spring

Adv: Rides nice
Dis adv: Unless helper springs are used, can't haul a real heavy load.

Leaf Spring

Adv: can haul heavier loads
Dis adv: Ride is not as nice. More stiff and harsh.

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

I installed 3/4 ton Custom Camper coil springs on a 70 1/2 ton and it got rid of the mushy soft ride and greatly increased the payload. At the same time I replaced the shocks with Custom Camper. These shocks are valved 50 50.

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

the coils and the leafs are rated for the exact same load. :confused:

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

I was told by a local bracket racer that you want the light 1/2 ton coils to get the tires to hook up, as opposed to the heavy-duty rear coils like my GMC has. I wasn't very impressed with my trucks handling when loaded heavily, real bouncy and light on the front tires.

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

Then why did my truck squat so bad that the tires almost rubbed the fenders when I had it loaded with wood and my dads 69 with leafs didn't squat half as much as mine with a bigger load? The 67 was probably overloaded, but the other truck would have been as well??? :confused:

Learn something new everyday:)

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

you guys always bursting bubbles

Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!!
 

My statement was kinda misleading, and somewhat of a loaded comment.

They are in fact both rated the same.
So up to the load limits, they are both 100% capable.
For mild overloading, the leaf will take a little more abuse, still act as a spring and an active suspention.
For extreem overloading, you will ruin the leafs.
Coils will just go into coil bind... one coil stackes on top of the other.