Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blue Baby · 08-25-2012, 05:27 PM

HELP! The rear coil springs on my truck are collapsed like a bad lung. Is there a way to measure the spring to see about how much the truck is "lowered" because of the bad springs??? The reason I ask is because I'm about to lower it for real and don't want to buy lowering springs only to find out that it has the same ride height and my old worn out ones. I'm going to lower the front 3 inches and would like a slight rake. The three middle coils touch, that's how bad they are. Any ideas on guessing what lower springs I should buy???

**Boog** · 08-25-2012, 05:58 PM

Yep. Someone here will post up the ground to top of the fenderwell measurement of the stock arangement for ya. Simple enough.

Blue Baby · 08-25-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Yep. Someone here will post up the ground to top of the fenderwell measurement of the stock arangement for ya. Simple enough.

The problem is that I have a utility bed and the wheel well opening is different. I need another way of figuring out how shot these springs are??? Good idea, just can't do it with this set up. Thanks!

**Boog** · 08-25-2012, 06:06 PM

Then I would suggest you post up some side view pics and we can give some suggestions. Have to know where it sits now.

Blue Baby · 08-25-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Then I would suggest you post up some side view pics and we can give some suggestions. Have to know where it sits now.

Here is a side shot taken today. The driver's side actually sits about 2.5 inches lower. From behind the bed looks crooked, but we just remounted it today and it is on there solid with good mounts. I measured the front from the ground to the fenderwell and it is level.

PanelDeland · 08-25-2012, 07:45 PM

Maybe the best bet would be to replace all 4 springs.The rear of it probably sets an in or 2 lower with the service bed weight but by using the same amount of drop spring all the way around,you should get some drop with whatever the natural rake is.

Tinkermc · 08-25-2012, 07:52 PM

the rear looks very nice whatever the measurement is

69GWC · 08-25-2012, 07:59 PM

Oh man would love to have that truck for my work truck, way cool man.
Posted via Mobile Device

Xeen · 08-26-2012, 03:50 AM

Ok heres how it works.
From the factory the rear of the truck sits 2" higher than the front, also the front end can only be lowered 2" without the suspension geometry being unreconcilable, so in order to drop the front more than 2" you have to get drop spindles, so you have to keep that in mind when you lower your truck.

For example to level out a truck you would drop the front 2" and the rear 4" but for you since you want the hotrod look where the back end is slightly higher than the front end you will need a different ratio.
For example, you can order springs with a 2" front drop and a 3" rear drop, if you want to go lower than that you buy 2" drop spindles, and the appropriate front and rear springs with only a 1" difference to maintain that hotrod look, also just incase you want a little more than an inch difference you can get half inch incriment drop springs as well.
You can also buy "Towing" drop springs that are heavy duty so you can still load up on weight or tow and not lose the look of your trucks stance.
Was that clear as mud?

Wrenchbender Ret · 08-26-2012, 10:26 AM

The original rear springs are vairiable rate. With the added weight of that body, some of the coils touching is normal.

08-25-2012, 05:27 PM	#1
Blue Baby Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Salina Kansas Posts: 48	Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? HELP! The rear coil springs on my truck are collapsed like a bad lung. Is there a way to measure the spring to see about how much the truck is "lowered" because of the bad springs??? The reason I ask is because I'm about to lower it for real and don't want to buy lowering springs only to find out that it has the same ride height and my old worn out ones. I'm going to lower the front 3 inches and would like a slight rake. The three middle coils touch, that's how bad they are. Any ideas on guessing what lower springs I should buy???

08-25-2012, 05:58 PM	#2
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? Yep. Someone here will post up the ground to top of the fenderwell measurement of the stock arangement for ya. Simple enough. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

08-25-2012, 06:06 PM	#4
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? Then I would suggest you post up some side view pics and we can give some suggestions. Have to know where it sits now. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

08-25-2012, 07:45 PM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? Maybe the best bet would be to replace all 4 springs.The rear of it probably sets an in or 2 lower with the service bed weight but by using the same amount of drop spring all the way around,you should get some drop with whatever the natural rake is. __________________ 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"

08-25-2012, 07:52 PM	#7
Tinkermc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Farmville, Va Posts: 3,026	Re: Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? the rear looks very nice whatever the measurement is

08-25-2012, 07:59 PM	#8
69GWC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,089	Re: Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? Oh man would love to have that truck for my work truck, way cool man. Posted via Mobile Device

08-26-2012, 03:50 AM	#9
Xeen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Topeka Kansas Posts: 2,655	Re: Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? Ok heres how it works. From the factory the rear of the truck sits 2" higher than the front, also the front end can only be lowered 2" without the suspension geometry being unreconcilable, so in order to drop the front more than 2" you have to get drop spindles, so you have to keep that in mind when you lower your truck. For example to level out a truck you would drop the front 2" and the rear 4" but for you since you want the hotrod look where the back end is slightly higher than the front end you will need a different ratio. For example, you can order springs with a 2" front drop and a 3" rear drop, if you want to go lower than that you buy 2" drop spindles, and the appropriate front and rear springs with only a 1" difference to maintain that hotrod look, also just incase you want a little more than an inch difference you can get half inch incriment drop springs as well. You can also buy "Towing" drop springs that are heavy duty so you can still load up on weight or tow and not lose the look of your trucks stance. Was that clear as mud? __________________ Please call me Brian. Check out My 1972 SWB Fleetside 5.3L Vortec Restomod Build Last edited by Xeen; 08-26-2012 at 03:56 AM.

08-26-2012, 10:26 AM	#10
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: Rear coil springs are SHOT! Replacement Question??? The original rear springs are vairiable rate. With the added weight of that body, some of the coils touching is normal.



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