1/2 and 3/4 ton question

[69ChevySB]

Hi folks, I have seen an old longbed truck sitting in my grandfather's scrap yard that has been sitting there for quite a while. I was down there today looking at it and by the looks of the hood, it's either a 1969 or 1970. It says C20 on the fender so it's a 3/4 ton.

My truck is a 1969 1/2 ton Shortbed and it is lowered, but I want it to sit at stock height. The 3/4 ton i'm pretty sure is just sitting stock height, but I have one question...The 3/4 ton has an 8-lug wheel base and mine has a 6-lug wheel base. If I were to take the coil springs off of the 3/4 longbed and put them on my 1/2 shortbed, will it put my 1/2 ton back to stock height like I want it to? or would I have to go find coil springs off a stock 1/2 ton? also what's the overall difference between the springs? will the physical appearance of my truck be different if they had 3/4 ton springs instead of 1/2 springs or does it not make a difference? all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[1971 Cheyenne]

I'm pretty sure that the 3/4 ton springs WILL fit on your 1/2 ton. The only thing i would be afraid of would be that with the weight of your shortbed would be much less that what the 3/4 ton springs are meant to handle, which, in turn, would make your ride much stiffer....

While this is what i have heard, trust nothing i say and get a second opinion.

'71

[kaycee]

But what r u going to do with your ol set up?I might b interested if you r going to ditch them also I have a set of original 1/2 ton springs. How much drop u got now?

[Fred T]

I think 71 is right, but you should be able to get some good used springs for not a lot of money. Put an ad on (or search) the parts board and see what you find. You could probably even work out a trade and make a few $$s.

[mikep]

I like a stiff ride and have put several sets of HD 3/4 ton springs on 1/2 ton trucks. The springs swap over with no problem.

remember ...half a ton = half a truck !

[69ChevySB]

I'm not really sure how much drop it is, but i'm pretty sure it's just the standard drop like they have in the LMC...hrmm what exactly do you guys mean by "stiff" if I may ask? do you mean rougher?...and would it really make it that much stiffer? is it not worth putting 3/4 coils or should I just wait to find some 1/2 coils...I don't really know i'm just looking for a stock height look thats why I was gonna use them...if anyone would be interested in the coils I currently used please let me know and we can work something out. Thanks again.

[1971 Cheyenne]

hey,

By "stiff", we mean that when you hit a speed bump, instead of rolling over it and getting the "bump" feeling, your gonna bounce over it and make a dent in the roof where your head sits. Ok, so maybe that's an exageration.. but hopefully you get the idea. it will be less cushy and soft, and more bouncy and rough. Too bad i haven't really dug into my truck yet, or else i'd be happy to trade my stock hieght 1/2 ton coils for your drops.... oh well.

hey mikep, your not doing much better with your 3/4 of a truck! lol

[Longhorn Man]

Does that make my one ton a whole truck?
Even though only 1/2 of it is in the parking spot and the rest is scattered between the basement of my place and my dad's place?

[Piston]

I did the same as mikep, I bought and installed 1/2 springs from moog and didnt like them at all. Too soft! So I stepped up to the 3/4 springs and its just right. Ride height looks good too, about 1 inch over stock all the way around

P.S. I have a set of used 1/2 springs for a small block that I'll give you. You pay shipping which is around 20 bucks or more I think. I know I have a set of fronts, I'll have to check on the rear.

PM or Email me if intersted

[crazy longhorn]

I call a 3/4 ton truck a "firm ride", but one thought.......they were based on a longbed truck, & if you run those springs on a short truck the ride will be d@mn stiff. the longer the truck, the smoother it will ride......i wouldnt try heavy springs on a shortbed truck, guess Im just spoiled to the ride on that old "1/2 ton longhorn". The truck I use for a hauler is a 79 K 20,& it has a camper special leaf stack on the rear(a whole truck!). Longhorn, when i dismantled my 69, it was in the garage, the basement, & the shed.......I think some pcs were out at Dads place too......but I still had the whole truck! (it just took up a little more space)...crazyL

[mikep]

Yeah. 3/4 of a truck is about all I can handle. 1/2 ton is too soft and 1 ton is too harsh although I would like to pick up a 1 ton sway bar set. I do a LOT of driving around sharp corners on the way to work a lot faster than the 3/4 ton sway bar is comfortable with. Its part of taking a ferry to work on an island. I have to race 3 other guys for position going up a curvy hill at 50-60 mph after I get of the boat or I get stuck behind the old ***** in the white corona and theres no passing lane for the next 3 miles.

I dont know how you guys with unmodified 1/2 tons do it. Ive had a few and couldnt stand the ride . How do those lowered trucks handle corners? Do the airbags do anything?

[crazy longhorn]

The old longhorn handles good, but center of gravity is a lot lower than stock was. The rear leafs are 3/4 ton, but have had the helper & a couple leafs removed. The back end feels firm,& also I think the leafs help with body roll. the front does feel a little soft, but I think a sway bar will help give the springs a boost. The old truck is just a fair weather toy, & her hauling days are done. I do agree that if Im hauling , a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is the way to fly.......1 tons ride rough empty tho....

[Longhorn Man]

I push my SWB GMC harder than any same man ever would.
With the sagging front springs, lack of anti sway bars, and mis-match balding recaps, I'm suprised I have not scraped the chrome off my door handles leaning into the turns.
It must by funny to see me tossing that pig around though. That's an acurate description of the handling there too...a pig on roller skates.

[alta-aj]

Obviously it is lighter than a truck, especially with the roof off. It has heavy duty springs all the way around. Any suggestions for shocks to help hold 'er down a bit?

[69ChevySB]

So the only difference is the smoothness of the truck? it doesn't make it look any different at all? also what if I get some gas shocks will it cover for the roughness of the 3/4 ton springs? thanks

[Piston]

the 3/4 spring will raise your ride height about 1" maybe 2. Better Shocks wont give you any cusion, it will just control the tire movement (which wont be much with a heavier spring).