Why do many GMCs have leaf spring and not many Chevys - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bbadfred · 02-11-2010, 05:58 PM

I was talking to a long time restorers and he was telling me that a lot of 1/2GMCs had leaf Springs and Chevys had coils. Is this a fact and and if so why?? I had thought that the cheap models had leaves but my 72 6 cyl 3 speed had coils and my 67 GMC has leafs

68gmsee · 02-11-2010, 06:22 PM

To understand why, you have to know that trucks back then were primarily for work. A lot of truck drivers were used to the leaf springs and did not like the rear coil springs when Chevy introduced them.

Another reason was that the leaf springs could be modified to carry heavier loads a lot easier than coil springs. All they had to do is add helper springs. Since GMC's were primarily heavy work trucks, they stayed with the leaf springs and introduced the coils as an option.

**too much stuff** · 02-11-2010, 07:00 PM

Leafs were standard on gmc and coils were standard on chevys. Gmc had more of a "work" truck reputation back then. However, either could be had either way. I believe the leafs would generally carry more load.

mbgmike · 02-11-2010, 08:05 PM

Many farmers back then did not want a coil spring truck. Thats why some bought ford. When growing up I heard many of them saying that they just did not like coil springs

69 longhorn · 02-11-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Leafs were standard on gmc and coils were standard on chevys. Gmc had more of a "work" truck reputation back then. However, either could be had either way. I believe the leafs would generally carry more load.

What he said

crazyAL

neba · 02-11-2010, 11:23 PM

dont want to start a big controversy,but the only difference between a chevy and gmc is who sold it. only a chevy dealer could sell a chevy truck. if you had a buick,olds or pontiac franchise, you sold a gmc. made in the same factories,with most of the same parts. some years had different engines like the v-6. ive seen them come in with a chevy emblem on front and gmc on the tailgate. my 69 chevy longbed has leafs. i would guess its how they were ordered.

02-11-2010, 05:58 PM	#1
bbadfred bbadfred Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: rantoul Il Posts: 461	Why do many GMCs have leaf spring and not many Chevys I was talking to a long time restorers and he was telling me that a lot of 1/2GMCs had leaf Springs and Chevys had coils. Is this a fact and and if so why?? I had thought that the cheap models had leaves but my 72 6 cyl 3 speed had coils and my 67 GMC has leafs Last edited by bbadfred; 02-11-2010 at 06:00 PM.

02-11-2010, 06:22 PM	#2
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Why do many GMCs have leaf spring and not many Chevys To understand why, you have to know that trucks back then were primarily for work. A lot of truck drivers were used to the leaf springs and did not like the rear coil springs when Chevy introduced them. Another reason was that the leaf springs could be modified to carry heavier loads a lot easier than coil springs. All they had to do is add helper springs. Since GMC's were primarily heavy work trucks, they stayed with the leaf springs and introduced the coils as an option.

02-11-2010, 07:00 PM	#3
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,790	Re: Why do many GMCs have leaf spring and not many Chevys Leafs were standard on gmc and coils were standard on chevys. Gmc had more of a "work" truck reputation back then. However, either could be had either way. I believe the leafs would generally carry more load. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

02-11-2010, 08:05 PM	#4
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: Why do many GMCs have leaf spring and not many Chevys Many farmers back then did not want a coil spring truck. Thats why some bought ford. When growing up I heard many of them saying that they just did not like coil springs

02-11-2010, 11:23 PM	#6
neba Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: duluth mn Posts: 108	Re: Why do many GMCs have leaf spring and not many Chevys dont want to start a big controversy,but the only difference between a chevy and gmc is who sold it. only a chevy dealer could sell a chevy truck. if you had a buick,olds or pontiac franchise, you sold a gmc. made in the same factories,with most of the same parts. some years had different engines like the v-6. ive seen them come in with a chevy emblem on front and gmc on the tailgate. my 69 chevy longbed has leafs. i would guess its how they were ordered.



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