How to beef up rear suspension??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1971ChevyTruck · 05-25-2006, 11:21 PM

I want to set up my 71' 2wd short bed with coil springs to pull me car trailer. Whats the best way to beef it up a little without ruining the ride???

**special-K** · 05-26-2006, 08:06 AM

Air Lift air bags inside your coils.You add air to haul up to 1,500# more.Air down to ride stock.

fade94 · 05-26-2006, 08:18 AM

I have seen "helper" leaf setups on coil rears.

fade94 · 05-26-2006, 08:18 AM

PM sent

Gray Ghost · 05-26-2006, 09:21 AM

The helper springs [leaf] to fit the coils are expenxive....$350+ to get the parts and mounting plates. I'd go with air bags if it were me. Course you could just order 3/4 ton springs.

fade94 · 05-26-2006, 09:50 AM

I didnt' realize they were that expensive. I took a set off of a short step with a bent frame. Glad I kept them now.

1-PU70 · 05-26-2006, 10:33 AM

went with overload shocks, shocks with coils over them. Didnt help much with extra weight but the truck handles much better around turns. If I were to do it again there is a kit that mounts air bags behind the original coils, not inside. Cant remember where I saw them but that are like to ones that mount coil overs

CG · 05-26-2006, 08:26 PM

make sure you have trailer brakes. i was told this was pretty much a must when you tow with a short wheelbase. but now that ive posted this im sure there will be people that say that isnt true...

Old Yeller 1970 · 05-26-2006, 08:49 PM

Another option would be a weight and distribution hitch with an anti sway bar. You would have to have a reciever hitch to use it. The weight and distribution hitch costs $300-$350 and the anti sway bar runs about $100. With one installed you can haul up to 10,000 lbs and run as fast as you want down the highway. You can buy them online or from any U-Haul or RV dealer. You'll also want your electric brakes hooked up too.

**special-K** · 05-26-2006, 09:00 PM

The Air-Lift bags are around $100,they give a 1/2t the load capacity of a 3/4t,or stock 1/2t ride when not hauling.I`d want trailer brakes for towing over 1,000#.

1971ChevyTruck · 05-26-2006, 09:50 PM

I have a brand new trailer with dual brakes and break away brakes....I also have the weight dist hitch and two sway bars...I was just told these truck with the coil springs still sag bad in the back....anyone know where to get the air bag setup??? Thanks for all the help guys....

Old Yeller 1970 · 05-27-2006, 07:11 AM

I think you can order Air Lift air bags from Autozone.

I used to set up weight and distribution hitches all the time. I know a few tricks that may help keep your truck from sagging. But first, how many inches does it sag?

Aarons72s · 05-27-2006, 08:49 PM

hay,
My orange and white has 3/4 ton HD springs in the rear even though it is a half ton truck. Ive had over a half a ton of metal in the back and 3/4 ton of metal in my brown pickup bed trailer and the truck all most sits level. Riding empty it has a good bit of rake. Ride is fair but it might be do to the old nasty shocks but I am used to riding in stiff trucks anyway.

da-burb · 05-28-2006, 09:48 AM

The factory overload spring would help out alot. It wouldn't affect your ride one bit when not trailering.

I just purchased a new 10,000# equalizer hitch for $199. It is a Putnam brand. I was lucky enough to work 1 mile away from this distributor so I didn't have to pay freight. www.onetouch2you.com should be their web address.

05-25-2006, 11:21 PM	#1
1971ChevyTruck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,006	How to beef up rear suspension??? I want to set up my 71' 2wd short bed with coil springs to pull me car trailer. Whats the best way to beef it up a little without ruining the ride???

05-26-2006, 08:06 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? Air Lift air bags inside your coils.You add air to haul up to 1,500# more.Air down to ride stock. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-26-2006, 08:18 AM	#3
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? I have seen "helper" leaf setups on coil rears. __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

05-26-2006, 08:18 AM	#4
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? PM sent __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

05-26-2006, 09:21 AM	#5
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? The helper springs [leaf] to fit the coils are expenxive....$350+ to get the parts and mounting plates. I'd go with air bags if it were me. Course you could just order 3/4 ton springs. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

05-26-2006, 09:50 AM	#6
fade94 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melissa, TX Posts: 799	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? I didnt' realize they were that expensive. I took a set off of a short step with a bent frame. Glad I kept them now. __________________ 68 short bed driver (71 clip on it now, swapping to 68 when weather cooperates) 67 short step project (will get SWB from the 68) 67 Camaro, #'s matching (my wife's) 03 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel 5 speed 4.10 rear

05-26-2006, 10:33 AM	#7
1-PU70 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,036	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? went with overload shocks, shocks with coils over them. Didnt help much with extra weight but the truck handles much better around turns. If I were to do it again there is a kit that mounts air bags behind the original coils, not inside. Cant remember where I saw them but that are like to ones that mount coil overs __________________ 1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters

05-26-2006, 08:26 PM	#8
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,019	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? make sure you have trailer brakes. i was told this was pretty much a must when you tow with a short wheelbase. but now that ive posted this im sure there will be people that say that isnt true...

05-26-2006, 08:49 PM	#9
Old Yeller 1970 DON'T TREAD ON ME Join Date: May 2005 Location: Crosby County, TX Posts: 989	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? Another option would be a weight and distribution hitch with an anti sway bar. You would have to have a reciever hitch to use it. The weight and distribution hitch costs $300-$350 and the anti sway bar runs about $100. With one installed you can haul up to 10,000 lbs and run as fast as you want down the highway. You can buy them online or from any U-Haul or RV dealer. You'll also want your electric brakes hooked up too. __________________ Old Yeller

05-26-2006, 09:00 PM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? The Air-Lift bags are around $100,they give a 1/2t the load capacity of a 3/4t,or stock 1/2t ride when not hauling.I`d want trailer brakes for towing over 1,000#. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-26-2006, 09:50 PM	#11
1971ChevyTruck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,006	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? I have a brand new trailer with dual brakes and break away brakes....I also have the weight dist hitch and two sway bars...I was just told these truck with the coil springs still sag bad in the back....anyone know where to get the air bag setup??? Thanks for all the help guys....

05-27-2006, 07:11 AM	#12
Old Yeller 1970 DON'T TREAD ON ME Join Date: May 2005 Location: Crosby County, TX Posts: 989	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? I think you can order Air Lift air bags from Autozone. I used to set up weight and distribution hitches all the time. I know a few tricks that may help keep your truck from sagging. But first, how many inches does it sag? __________________ Old Yeller

05-27-2006, 08:49 PM	#13
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,669	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? hay, My orange and white has 3/4 ton HD springs in the rear even though it is a half ton truck. Ive had over a half a ton of metal in the back and 3/4 ton of metal in my brown pickup bed trailer and the truck all most sits level. Riding empty it has a good bit of rake. Ride is fair but it might be do to the old nasty shocks but I am used to riding in stiff trucks anyway.

05-28-2006, 09:48 AM	#14
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Re: How to beef up rear suspension??? The factory overload spring would help out alot. It wouldn't affect your ride one bit when not trailering. I just purchased a new 10,000# equalizer hitch for $199. It is a Putnam brand. I was lucky enough to work 1 mile away from this distributor so I didn't have to pay freight. www.onetouch2you.com should be their web address. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087



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