What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

Couple of pics to set the stage ('69 C10 long step).

I'm looking at the chassis service manual and noting that auxiliary leaf springs were an option on a '69 C10, but what I'm seeing here ain't matching the picture in the book...

Yes, those are blocks of 2"x2" wood in the chassis (to prevent it from collapsing from those u-bolts?!), and the rubber pad bouncing against the control arm.

So I'm guessing this is in no way stock, but wondering how bad an idea it is, how lame it is, whether it could possibly do any good at all, etc. I'm new to these trucks.

Thanks for the help!

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

Pretty creative... to say the least. Factory aux springs were mounted behind the axle.

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

What the...??? I've never seen that before. Was that an actual part or suspension set up back then....???

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

It looks like it was an aftermarket kit and the wood was added in. If you have weak stock springs they might be doing something. Best thing to do would be to use factory C10 HD coil springs (or a replacement) and pull these off. But if you are not planning on loading the truck down a set of std rate coil springs are also a good choice.

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

pretty common straus store jc whitney pepboy sears monkey wards type generic overloads from back in the day

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

My frame had the same setup on it when I got it. Sorry I don't have any pics to compare to yours. I junked them when I disassembled the truck late last year.

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

:lol: Tell us what you really think about these contraptions

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

Looks like they're doing you some good. See how the factory coil springs have settled down to where the add Ons are nearly touching and you don't even have the weight of bed wood in there. I'd bet if you put a new pair of coil springs in the truck that it would raise up enough to where the helper springs are much further from the trailing arm.

I think they're pretty neat. I'd leave them there just for kicks. They won't affect anything until you load the truck down and then they'd be doing what they're intended to do.
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Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

As Tx said,I would replace those rear springs.They look fully collapsed with no weight on them.

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

I have the same on mine and they work great, the stock springs are can't carry much.

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

Awesome, thanks for the feedback and opinions. If nothing else, replacing those coils is now definitely on my to-do list.

Re: What's going on here with my rear suspension? (pics)
 

I also noticed today that the e-brake cable is rubbing up against those u bolts, you can see the smears in those pictures.

I'm assuming I should do something about that while I've got everything torn apart?