1970 C10 with Leaf springs?

[Rigo's 70 C10]

My C10 has leaf springs and not coil springs. Is this good or bad? Does anyone know if these can be lowered? Just got mine! I have been wanting for over 15 years, finally got one. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

[nightmare]

Welcome to the forum. There is nothing wrong with having leaf springs instead of the coil springs. There are several ways to lower it, but the easiest way would be to use lowering blocks. This setup is the same setup as what is on the newer chevy trucks.

[bowtieboy93]

I agree, your at no disadvantage having leafs. Theres even advantages over coils

[Rigo's 70 C10]

What would the advantages be over coils? I ask because like many of you, I want to know all the good and bad things about my new little baby!

[OrangeCrush1970]

You can tow / haul heavier loads w/ the leaf springs over coils. The only real disadvantage to leaf springs is that you will get axle wrap and wheel hop with any additions in the torque and hp department. This can be easily fixed w/ control arms, which is esentially the spring set up. General Motors used the coil / control arm set up to improve ride quality. OH, this brings another advantge of leaf springs to mind, you have much more room to play w/ exhuast as well as go to an undercarriage gas tank. Space is a huge issue w/ the coil spring set-up. So you are at an advantage in the space, and towing department. So to sum things up, you have more potential modifications that you can do to your truck-

[Ackattack]

you can not lower it by simply adding blocks. That will raise the truck as they have a "spring over axle" setup.

I lowered my gmc by removing a leaf, which also decreases your spring rate.

I also took it to the drag strip and got severe wheel hop and ended up shearing off one of the caps of a u-joint.

I would prefer to have coil springs, and this is one of the reasons I now have 68 project truck!

[Longhorn Man]

leafs don't have any hauling advantages over coils either, they are rated the same.

[nightmare]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

you can not lower it by simply adding blocks. That will raise the truck as they have a "spring over axle" setup.

I didn't remember if these had the spring over the axle, or if they had the axle over the spring. I haven't had a leaf spring truck in a long time.

So, correction: if the axle "sits" on the spring, then you can add a block to it. If the spring "sits" on the axle, there are other ways to lower it.

[C10-Driver]

You will want to do an axle flip... Then, once the "axle is sitting on the spring, you can add blocks for additional lowering. I have a leaf spring rear end in my truck with an air-over-leaf air bag setup. My total "static" drop (fully aired-out) is about 9" and it rides great.

The one advantage I have heard of with leafs is that you get less roll in the rear end. Coil spring setups require a panhard bar to prevent this whereas with a leaf setup, you have a mounting point on the frame in front of and behind the axle which makes this a non-issue. GM must also feel there are certain advantages to a leaf spring setup because, as of 1973, rear leaf springs were standard equipment. I believe that is all that was available from 73-87 and even up to 98. In fact, aren't most Chevy trucks still equipped with rear leaf springs. Somebody on the board with more knowledge than me can probably confirm this.

[OrangeCrush1970]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

leafs don't have any hauling advantages over coils either, they are rated the same.

Allow me to clarify: Leaf Springs are completely modular. If you want to add or subtract lift or load capacity, just add more leaves. This is a clear advantage over springs.

[Rigo's 70 C10]

Axle flip? Can anyone point me in the right direction to do one of these? I want a lowered stance on my truck. I want it to look mean and fast! Will alingment be an issue by lowering the truck? If so, how much can i lower without running into issues?

You guys are SOLID!

[nightmare]

the only problem you will run into with the lowering and alignment is the front suspension. you will definitely need to get it aligned after doing anything to the front suspension. otherwise, your tires will wear out really really fast.

[bad6772]

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

You will want to do an axle flip... Then, once the "axle is sitting on the spring, you can add blocks for additional lowering. I have a leaf spring rear end in my truck with an air-over-leaf air bag setup. My total "static" drop (fully aired-out) is about 9" and it rides great.

The one advantage I have heard of with leafs is that you get less roll in the rear end. Coil spring setups require a panhard bar to prevent this whereas with a leaf setup, you have a mounting point on the frame in front of and behind the axle which makes this a non-issue. GM must also feel there are certain advantages to a leaf spring setup because, as of 1973, rear leaf springs were standard equipment. I believe that is all that was available from 73-87 and even up to 98. In fact, aren't most Chevy trucks still equipped with rear leaf springs. Somebody on the board with more knowledge than me can probably confirm this.

AGREE.....with C 10 Driver.......and to the boards............tony

[Gray Ghost]

The coil setup is extremely hard to beat.....there's no disadvantage when towing whatsoever. Think of the trailing arms as huge traction bars and you get the idea. No such thing as axle wrap with this setup. I wouldn't trade it.

I do agree on the modular aspect though....Leafs are more easily modified.

[montoya22]

Originally Posted by Rigo's 70 C10

My C10 has leaf springs and not coil springs. Is this good or bad? Does anyone know if these can be lowered? Just got mine! I have been wanting for over 15 years, finally got one. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

congrats on your new toy bud, what part of new mexico you from? personally i think leafs are better, they are not as bouncy.. but thats just me. just depending no how much you wanna drop it depends how much much work you'll have to do.. im lowering mine in the next few weeks, just got a pocket full of cash and im ordering parts soon. 1st im cutting my coils then ordering drop shackles.

[b.eddy's72]

Welcome and congrats on your truck. As you can see opinions vary. There are more options on the leafs for sure. Each can carry what ever they are rated for. One person mentioned adding or taking out a leaf...............Spring packs are designed and built a certian way for a reason. Will removing a leaf lower your truck, sure but it will also stand a greater chance of more damage if you have alot of torque.

Now to answer your lowering question. You can install aftermarket springs, hangers, schackles, or flip kit and they will all provided a lower stance. Coil springs are limited to shorter springs. Depending on how low you wanna go I would suggest getting in on a level surface, measure the fender height, jack up the back a little to take some presure off the leafs, remove the rear schackles, and lower the jack slowly. This will allow you to see how it will look at different heights. 30 mins of work isnt bad to make sure you like it before you buy parts.