Rear suspension questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JimJones · 08-09-2013, 07:36 AM

What's the deal with the coil spring rear suspension? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of rear suspension? And which versions of 67-72 C10's came with coils and which came with traditional leaf springs?

PanelDeland · 08-09-2013, 08:48 AM

WELCOME!!! Short answer,Chevy used coils and GMC used leafs.Either was optioned with the other.Coils generally ride smoother,leafs usually have better load carrying charachteristics.Coils tend to have smoother ride are the same basic coil suspension is what NASCAR still uses.Coil suspension can be lowered with shorter coils and shock relocation.Leafs can be lowered by removing leafs. Hope this answers at least part of your question.

JimJones · 08-10-2013, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the info.

Does this apply to all versions of C-10's or just the 1/2 ton 2wd's? I'm assuming that 4x4 1/2 &3/4 tons had rear leaf springs

PanelDeland · 08-11-2013, 12:01 AM

All4X4's had leafs,IIRC 3/4 could be either also.

mikeshome · 08-11-2013, 08:40 PM

My 71 gmc has coils,but also has a backwards leaf helper spring on the back side was this an option?

loom34432 · 08-11-2013, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeshome

My 71 gmc has coils,but also has a backwards leaf helper spring on the back side was this an option?

Yes it was, my truck has coils also; and a helper leaf spring too.

Frizzle Fry · 08-11-2013, 09:37 PM

The Chevy coil, GMC leaf thing is an urban legend. Sounds plausible and is therefore perpetuated, but no documentation supports it. This was the conclusion from a long debate here years ago.

JimJones · 08-12-2013, 12:01 AM

Can you convert a rear coil suspension to a leaf set up? Do they sell the brackets that connect the leaf springs to the frame? And which type would be better for a truck that you plan to do some work out of? I'm no expert but to me it seems like the coil setup would be better for a street truck and the leafs would be better for a work truck what do you guys think?

Also can anybody tell me what rear axle these trucks came with from the factory specifically a
1/2 ton, 2wd &
3/4 ton, 2wd

08-09-2013, 07:36 AM	#1
JimJones Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 113	Rear suspension questions What's the deal with the coil spring rear suspension? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of rear suspension? And which versions of 67-72 C10's came with coils and which came with traditional leaf springs?

08-09-2013, 08:48 AM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Rear suspension questions WELCOME!!! Short answer,Chevy used coils and GMC used leafs.Either was optioned with the other.Coils generally ride smoother,leafs usually have better load carrying charachteristics.Coils tend to have smoother ride are the same basic coil suspension is what NASCAR still uses.Coil suspension can be lowered with shorter coils and shock relocation.Leafs can be lowered by removing leafs. Hope this answers at least part of your question. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

08-10-2013, 11:54 PM	#3
JimJones Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 113	Re: Rear suspension questions Thanks for the info. Does this apply to all versions of C-10's or just the 1/2 ton 2wd's? I'm assuming that 4x4 1/2 &3/4 tons had rear leaf springs

08-11-2013, 12:01 AM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Rear suspension questions All4X4's had leafs,IIRC 3/4 could be either also. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

08-11-2013, 08:40 PM	#5
mikeshome Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mount Albert.Ontario Posts: 119	Re: Rear suspension questions My 71 gmc has coils,but also has a backwards leaf helper spring on the back side was this an option?

08-11-2013, 09:37 PM	#7
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Rear suspension questions The Chevy coil, GMC leaf thing is an urban legend. Sounds plausible and is therefore perpetuated, but no documentation supports it. This was the conclusion from a long debate here years ago.

08-12-2013, 12:01 AM	#8
JimJones Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 113	Re: Rear suspension questions Can you convert a rear coil suspension to a leaf set up? Do they sell the brackets that connect the leaf springs to the frame? And which type would be better for a truck that you plan to do some work out of? I'm no expert but to me it seems like the coil setup would be better for a street truck and the leafs would be better for a work truck what do you guys think? Also can anybody tell me what rear axle these trucks came with from the factory specifically a 1/2 ton, 2wd & 3/4 ton, 2wd

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