Softening up C20 Camper Special

[slotard]

I have a '73 C20 Camper Special. It has a utility bed that isn't light and is typically full of tools, but I don't tend to haul much. It weighed in at 5300 on the dump scales, I think that was after I subtracted my weight, 350/350/14FF.

I just don't haul enough with it to need the springs that I have, and would like better ride quality as it's atrocious compared to modern 3/4s I've ridden in. Mostly the rear, but the front isn't good either. I don't mind if it ends up a little lower. How many of the leaves should I pull, any suggestions? I'd like to occasionally use it as a truck but realistically it isn't at all often that I put more than half a ton in the bed, I don't tow much either, I bought it rather than a C10 because I found the right deal on it. Will C10 springs bolt up for the front?

I could also use suggestions on shocks, I'm not sure the ones I have aren't original.

Thanks for any help.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah the front you can use c10 springs,The rear you could take the spring packs apart and take out one leaf.

[slotard]

Only one? It's 8 leaves I think, 8200? GVWR - I think the heaviest single cab C20 they made at the time.

Any suggestions on shocks?

Are there different types of C10 front springs I should consider?

[tinydb84]

I pulled 3 or 4 from my C20. You can see the process in my building thread. Made an amazing difference. I didnt drive it much like that before I tore it apart though.

If you want a soft ride you can order new Springs for the front. I got the softest ones I could find. I wanna say 67-72 small block but you can check.

[slotard]

I was assuming I needed coils from the same gem truck as mine. I don't need car ride quality, I'd just like to not feel like I'll break my back if I hit a pothole.

[tinydb84]

The springs should interchange without a problem. The ones I bought were Moog 6452. You can get them on Amazon for $70 with free shipping if you have prime. I never used mine and probably still have them I can check, if you want to make the drive I'll give them to you for free.

[slotard]

Thanks for the offer, I might have to take you up on that (I'm in Santa Clara fairly often). Those seem to be used on a ton of different trucks, everything from a C10 with an I6 to a C30 with a bigblock, I'm surprised.