52" or 56" leaf springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gofastbobby · 09-09-2011, 07:08 AM

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?

big10ratrod77 · 09-09-2011, 07:27 AM

a big ten would have had an 8 leaf 56 inch spring pack

why are you replacing your leaf springs?

bigblock73 · 09-09-2011, 07:35 AM

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".

gofastbobby · 09-09-2011, 11:12 AM

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?

bigblock73 · 09-09-2011, 11:45 AM

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.

Axle · 09-09-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Generally, 4 leaf packs are the short 52" springs, 6-8 and you have the 56".

Sorta generally. =-) When I got my truck it had 7-leaf packs in it, 52" springs (optional springs for the 4x4). Previous owner of my c10 had a camper in it. Measuring is the only way to know for sure given the potential for swaps done over the years. For those wondering, measure the rear half of the spring, it'll be 26 or 30 inches long from spring eye to spring center.

Alex.

bigblock73 · 09-09-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axle

Measuring is the only way to know for sure given the potential for swaps done over the years. For those wondering, measure the rear half of the spring, it'll be 26 or 30 inches long from spring eye to spring center.

Alex.

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.

gofastbobby · 09-10-2011, 08:33 AM

Is the hanger in the front in the same location regardless of spring length?

Axle · 09-10-2011, 09:02 AM

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.

gofastbobby · 09-10-2011, 10:19 AM

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?

KQQL IT · 09-10-2011, 02:45 PM

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.

gofastbobby · 09-10-2011, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

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.

Is this the spring you have?

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....7&currency=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

Pyrotechnic · 09-10-2011, 11:46 PM

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.

KQQL IT · 09-11-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

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.

Switch the leaf pack left to right.
And or mix the l/r leafs together.

KQQL IT · 09-11-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gofastbobby

Is this the spring you have?

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....7&currency=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

That looks similar though.

I got mine from the junkyard.
They had 3 leafs and a helper. I pulled the helper and ran with the three.

09-09-2011, 07:08 AM	#1
gofastbobby Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 120	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? __________________ '76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock.

09-09-2011, 07:27 AM	#2
big10ratrod77 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: hillborough nc Posts: 410	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? __________________ 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

09-09-2011, 07:35 AM	#3
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	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". __________________ 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

09-09-2011, 11:12 AM	#4
gofastbobby Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 120	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? __________________ '76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock.

09-09-2011, 11:45 AM	#5
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	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. __________________ 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

09-10-2011, 08:33 AM	#8
gofastbobby Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 120	Re: 52" or 56" leaf springs Is the hanger in the front in the same location regardless of spring length? __________________ '76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock.

09-10-2011, 09:02 AM	#9
Axle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SW Ontario Posts: 1,204	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.

09-10-2011, 10:19 AM	#10
gofastbobby Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 120	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? __________________ '76 C10 "BIG10" SWB 454/400 Mostly Stock.

09-10-2011, 02:45 PM	#11
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,211	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. __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

09-10-2011, 11:46 PM	#13
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	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. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande



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