Lifting the front of a C-20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**leddzepp** · 02-11-2009, 12:10 AM

Hello- I was looking for a way to lift the front end of my C-20 (2wd) so that it sits level instead of looking like a stinkbug. I ran across these on Ebay, and was wondering what yall thought of them, or if anyone has any experience with this? Thanks. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-...Q5fAccessories

pooz911 · 02-11-2009, 01:22 AM

Do you have a bbc or a sbc??? if you have a sbc just throw in a set of 1 ton springs. that will level it out.

*2tons of fun* · 02-11-2009, 01:27 AM

x2 good for at least 2"

justcuz · 02-11-2009, 01:35 AM

^x3! The old Chevy part number was 328101 for 1 ton front springs. I doubt it is available today. Just find some 1 tons in the wrecking yard. Be careful removing springs, sometimes they can surprise you.

67_C-30 · 02-11-2009, 01:55 AM

The same spring subject is being discussed another thread. A friend of mine used them on '84 C-30 with a 454, and it came up a lot.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=328205

**leddzepp** · 02-11-2009, 12:41 PM

I have a big block. What will this do to my alignment? Will there be enough adjustment in the upper control arm ball joints to maintain proper camber?

I used fabtech leveling springs in a 98 Chevy half ton, and had to change the upper control arms to get it to align properly.

Tx Firefighter · 02-11-2009, 01:20 PM

My big block 3/4 ton has the heavy springs these guys recomended. They lifted it considerably and it is aligned just fine. Picture in my signature.

**Ricks1971** · 02-11-2009, 01:44 PM

found a set of 1 ton nos springs in brooklyn new york at bruno's chevrolet. The new part number is #14054344 they have 2 and they are $150 each!
(718)965-2000

pooz911 · 02-11-2009, 07:02 PM

If you have a BBC you may have to go with a custom length spring or put in those 1 inch spacer.

My truck has a sbc and with the 1 ton springs it gave me an additional inch because of the weight difference. With that my suspension was topped out at the upper stops. I had no down travel. What I did was remove the upper rubber stops and installed the thinnest ones I could find at 4 wheel parts, installed a limiting strap to eliminate the stress on the upper ball joint and the ball joint spacer to lower the ball joint angle. I have not had any problems with wear, alignment, or launching the alignment shims when the upper control arm is pulled from the frame.

my Dads truck is a 1972 and is basically lifted the same way as mine but he has a BBC...His front end does sit about 1 inch lower than mine.

71 super · 02-11-2009, 07:09 PM

Scott, does the truck have coils in the rear or leaves? IF it has the heavy overload leaf pack in the rear it may be easier on ride and everything else to remove the overload pack in the rear. Another option is replace the front with another set of stock bb springs- just new, 40 years of weight has had some effect on the springs there now without a doubt. I replaced the springs in my 71 and it made all the difference in the handling and drivability of the truck. The bb definitely drives different than the small block trucks. The replacement springs from moog were roughly 85 dollars each and if you are there might as well replace ball joints and tierods. I spent roughly $500 on this and the alignment, but it was well worth the investment.

**leddzepp** · 02-11-2009, 07:25 PM

Harold- I am going to replace the ball joints and tie-rod ends as they need it badly! I have leafs in the rear, with the overloads. The overloads are above, and I am not sure removing them will make a difference, as they do not engage unless the truck is really loaded down. I am going to try Kevin's suggestion of using the one ton springs in the front to lift it a bit. Then I will pop out a bottom leaf or 2 in the back to level it out if need be.

02-11-2009, 01:22 AM	#2
pooz911 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 145	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 Do you have a bbc or a sbc??? if you have a sbc just throw in a set of 1 ton springs. that will level it out. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/pooz911

02-11-2009, 01:27 AM	#3
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 x2 good for at least 2"

02-11-2009, 01:35 AM	#4
justcuz Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, Ca. Posts: 930	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 ^x3! The old Chevy part number was 328101 for 1 ton front springs. I doubt it is available today. Just find some 1 tons in the wrecking yard. Be careful removing springs, sometimes they can surprise you.

02-11-2009, 01:55 AM	#5
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 The same spring subject is being discussed another thread. A friend of mine used them on '84 C-30 with a 454, and it came up a lot. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=328205 __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club! Last edited by 67_C-30; 02-11-2009 at 01:56 AM.

02-11-2009, 12:41 PM	#6
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,020	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 I have a big block. What will this do to my alignment? Will there be enough adjustment in the upper control arm ball joints to maintain proper camber? I used fabtech leveling springs in a 98 Chevy half ton, and had to change the upper control arms to get it to align properly.

02-11-2009, 12:10 AM	#1
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,020	Lifting the front of a C-20 Hello- I was looking for a way to lift the front end of my C-20 (2wd) so that it sits level instead of looking like a stinkbug. I ran across these on Ebay, and was wondering what yall thought of them, or if anyone has any experience with this? Thanks. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-...Q5fAccessories

02-11-2009, 01:20 PM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 My big block 3/4 ton has the heavy springs these guys recomended. They lifted it considerably and it is aligned just fine. Picture in my signature. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

02-11-2009, 01:44 PM	#8
Ricks1971 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clarkrange Tennessee Posts: 1,787	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 found a set of 1 ton nos springs in brooklyn new york at bruno's chevrolet. The new part number is #14054344 they have 2 and they are $150 each! (718)965-2000

02-11-2009, 07:02 PM	#9
pooz911 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 145	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 If you have a BBC you may have to go with a custom length spring or put in those 1 inch spacer. My truck has a sbc and with the 1 ton springs it gave me an additional inch because of the weight difference. With that my suspension was topped out at the upper stops. I had no down travel. What I did was remove the upper rubber stops and installed the thinnest ones I could find at 4 wheel parts, installed a limiting strap to eliminate the stress on the upper ball joint and the ball joint spacer to lower the ball joint angle. I have not had any problems with wear, alignment, or launching the alignment shims when the upper control arm is pulled from the frame. my Dads truck is a 1972 and is basically lifted the same way as mine but he has a BBC...His front end does sit about 1 inch lower than mine. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/pooz911

02-11-2009, 07:09 PM	#10
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,081	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 Scott, does the truck have coils in the rear or leaves? IF it has the heavy overload leaf pack in the rear it may be easier on ride and everything else to remove the overload pack in the rear. Another option is replace the front with another set of stock bb springs- just new, 40 years of weight has had some effect on the springs there now without a doubt. I replaced the springs in my 71 and it made all the difference in the handling and drivability of the truck. The bb definitely drives different than the small block trucks. The replacement springs from moog were roughly 85 dollars each and if you are there might as well replace ball joints and tierods. I spent roughly $500 on this and the alignment, but it was well worth the investment. __________________ 67 blue step side- bb 68 gold and white swb cst anniversary 68 custom swb hot rod Ls swap 69 swb cst 6 cylinder/ overdrive 69 black/black cst bb swb 70 orange and white cst Canada built truck swb bb 71 black and white super swb bb 71 red and white super swb 72 green and white super swb 4x4 62 nova wagon 400 series Ls swapped 68 Camaro 327/4 speed- 1 owner, original paint 66 Volkswagen bettle 69 auto stick Volkswagen Beetle Last edited by 71 super; 02-11-2009 at 07:11 PM.

02-11-2009, 07:25 PM	#11
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,020	Re: Lifting the front of a C-20 Harold- I am going to replace the ball joints and tie-rod ends as they need it badly! I have leafs in the rear, with the overloads. The overloads are above, and I am not sure removing them will make a difference, as they do not engage unless the truck is really loaded down. I am going to try Kevin's suggestion of using the one ton springs in the front to lift it a bit. Then I will pop out a bottom leaf or 2 in the back to level it out if need be.



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