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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 120
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52" or 56" leaf springs
I am looking into replacing the springs on my pickup, 76 big 10 2wd swb. I see either 52" or 56" springs as being an option.
Is there a way of knowing which length springs are under my truck without measuring them?
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'76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: hillborough nc
Posts: 410
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
a big ten would have had an 8 leaf 56 inch spring pack
why are you replacing your leaf springs?
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77 chevy BIG 10 350/sm465/12bolt w 3.73 bout 240 horse power NO power steerin 79 chevy 1/2 ton 250/three on the tree/3.08s soon to get built 250/floor shift conversion/3.08s 81 mercedes 300d 25 MPG 77 chevy BIG DOOLEY 454/sm-465/14 bolt 4.10s "fully loaded" 73 plymouth duster 225 slant six/230 3 speed/8 1/4 trying to acheve 300 horse six http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3135091 '77 chevy trucks. built to stay tough. life is short build a hot rod ![]() |
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#3 |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
If your rear spring hanger is directly next to your rear bumper brackets on the frame, you have the longer springs. Generally, 4 leaf packs are the short 52" springs, 6-8 and you have the 56".
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Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 120
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
I currently have a bunch of broken springs in the packs and am getting ready to add caltracs, setting it up for the drag strip. I kinda figured it'd be easier to swap in a 4 leaf pack than to try and mix and match a good setup with bulk spring stock.
Is there a better way to do it?
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'76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock. |
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#5 |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
If you run the shorter springs, you will need to move the rear hangers forward...not exactly fun removing the factory rivets. The good news, the holes are in the frame for both hanger locations already.
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Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,204
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
Quote:
Alex. |
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#7 |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
Rear hanger placement on the frame will tell you everything you need to know, without the need for a tapemeasure or anything but your very own eyes. There were two different spring lengths, and two different locations on the frame for the matching hangers.
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Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 120
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
Is the hanger in the front in the same location regardless of spring length?
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'76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,204
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
Yes, front hanger is in the same location.
(re rear hanger, sounded like the truck was not in the same location as the OP. Better to err on the side of caution). Alex. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 120
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
huh. so then the cal tracs will work with either the 52 or 56 spring...
will one work better than the other or should it not matter?
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'76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock. |
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#11 |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,211
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
My 73 liked the short 3 leaf pack. The long 7 leaf didnt leave as well. According to cal- tracs there is more stored energy in the lighter 3 leaf pack.
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 120
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
Quote:
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....7¤cy=USD I looked while loading it on the hauler today and could see that I do indeed have the 56 inch spring. I didn't bother counting how many were in the pack because the truck has had a long, sad story of previous owners. Posted via Mobile Device
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'76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock. |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 3,930
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
I have the long springs, but I removed the giant helper and another leaf to soften up the ride as it was just way too rough. The modified long springs seem to ride smoother unloaded than the short springs, and will still haul a heavy load without sagging.
Has anyone ever purchased any of the aftermarket replacement springs? I'd like to install new springs all around. My truck sits higher on one side than the other, even before I removed leafs.
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1977 GMC Sierra Grande |
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#14 | |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,211
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
Quote:
And or mix the l/r leafs together.
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
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#15 | |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,211
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Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs
Quote:
I got mine from the junkyard. They had 3 leafs and a helper. I pulled the helper and ran with the three.
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
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