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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: MUSKOGEE, OK
Posts: 229
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Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
Anyone ever swap out your leaf springs? I need more load capacity on my 72 c10 longbed. So i was thinking of getting a leaf setup off of a 68 3/4 ton longbed. Mine has the leaf setup already. So if anyone has done this any tips and help would be appreciated.
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72 SIERRA LB 74 C10 SB 85 C10 SB 75 EL CAMINO SS ![]() |
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#2 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,641
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
I recently added a set of overloads to my K20... so far, so good, but no really heavy loads yet.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Redmond, OR
Posts: 759
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
Even though you build up the springs, you will still have half ton axles.
I never thought much about it until I was with a friend in his half ton with a camper on it. Axle broke at 55mph and we rolled onto the shoulder of the freeway. Swore off half ton's for any potentially heavy work after that.
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68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Republic of Texas
Posts: 361
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
67-68 leaf springs are different from 69-72. Might be an issue.
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1962 Chevy K10 factory 4x4 stepside longbed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=494632 1967 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 long bed (Henrietta) traded 1968 Chevy 1/2 ton panel wagon, V8 and powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=483345 1978 Ford F250, beater stepside 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4 Door 2010 Chevy 4x4 plain jane work truck |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: oklahoma city, OK
Posts: 2
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
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#6 |
Registered User
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Location: Sandusky, Ohio USA
Posts: 104
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: MUSKOGEE, OK
Posts: 229
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
Dmack- do you mean the axle shaft or the rear diff broke? If it was the axle shaft, i could upgrade them as well. Thanks for sharing the info on that too. Im trying to figure out what would be the cheapest way out on this. Either upgrade the suspension on my 72 c10 or sell it and buy a 3/4 ton.
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72 SIERRA LB 74 C10 SB 85 C10 SB 75 EL CAMINO SS ![]() |
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Redmond, OR
Posts: 759
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
Quote:
Unfortunately, that is the design difference between half and 3/4-1 tons. Full floating axles have much beefier bearings and are less likely to lose the shaft. The friend I was with when it broke used to load full loads of firewood, camper, etc on the half ton (it was an F150). Never thought much about it until the tire/rim assembly took a left turn on us at 55mph.
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68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: MUSKOGEE, OK
Posts: 229
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
Trapper- i did notice that in my research today. But i found some new ones online for a 72 with 5 leafs and a overload for about 400$. They're rated at 2700lbs. My originals only have 3 leafs and a overload.
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72 SIERRA LB 74 C10 SB 85 C10 SB 75 EL CAMINO SS ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,510
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
I have to agree with dmack91 on that. Adding the overloads to stabilize and keep the truck closer to level when hauling a load within it's load capacity is fine but wanting to install heavier springs to haul more than the truck is rated for is not the most prudent idea unless you change the rear axle too. Don't get me wrong, most of us who actually use our trucks put some serous loads on them on occasion but If you need to carry a heavy load on a regular basis it might be better to upgrade to a heavier rear axle to handle the load.
You might check on the air bag overloads that a lot of the later model guys are using now. They clamp to the axle and have a bracket that bolts to the frame much the same as the old coil spring clamp on overloads did/do. Last edited by mr48chev; 04-18-2011 at 11:57 AM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marianna Arkansas
Posts: 7,270
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
If you really need the extra load cap why don't you think of changing your truck to a c20 with a complete suspension swap . You might find someone wanting to go the other way and that would help the both of you out. I was thinking that because I'm changing my 68 gmc from a 3/4 ton to a swb1/2 ton ,but I have most of the stuff and this truck's hauling days are done. Jim
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#12 |
'67 C-10 LWB Driver
![]() Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Andover, Kansas
Posts: 380
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Re: Leaf spring swap? Add 3/4 ton springs to c10
yeah, look up elliot949 i think is his username. he has a 3/4 ton chassis he doesn't need.
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'67 C-10 LWB - My Build Thread ![]() '67 C-20 LWB - My Donor/ Parts truck - SOLD! '92 GMC SAFARI VAN - My Parts Go Getter '06 KIA SPORTAGE EX - My Commuter "All of this crap better make a truck!" - my wife Sue. Proud U.S.M.C. Dad! |
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