From Leaf to Coil ?

[desertnick69]

Hey Guys I am swaping the leaf springs out for coils. I have my old truck that had an automatic in it and the trailing arms, Do i need to us the cross member out of that truck, or can i just put mounts on the cross member in the one i am building that had a 307 w/4 speed.

[Ozzy2013]

Be better to use the cross member but if you dont mind why do you want to go to coils?Usually its the other way around .lol

[K10 STEPSIDE]

I am also interested in the best way to do this. I am not happy with the ride, I have 4wd and am doing a 2in lift, and was thinking of going to coil overs. to help the ride, wheel hop, axle wrap. I broke one drive shaft and with my new engine don't want to do it again. What would be the best way? Four link? traction bar? Trailing arm?

[Ozzy2013]

The wheel hop can be stopped with ladder bars and you can have custom leaf springs made that are not as harsh .They are really reasonably priced i paid less than 200 for my last set .When are you getting wheel hop and twisting?When four wheeling or are you doing burn outs on dry road? I like to use air bags on the back and then you can have real soft leaf springs for a good ride ,and when you wheel or tow pump up the bags .Its all up to you but coils and leaves both have pluses and negatives .Hope i can help you out .OZ

[K10 STEPSIDE]

The wheel hop is any time it spins. Pavement, gravel, even wet grass. My shocks and leafs now are a terrible match. I discovered the axle wrap after I broke my drive shaft, and with the new engine it's only getting worse. With the lift coming I figured I would do it right. My first plan was new shock, leafs and a ladder bar but I thought I would look at others if I was doing that much.

[Ozzy2013]

The shocks should be staggered and it sounds like something is way off there are millions of leaf spring trucks on the road that don't do that!Have you checked out all the bolts mounting hardware shocks spring purchases etc?Sounds like something has been jury rigged or is loose.How is the pinion angle?

[K10 STEPSIDE]

Ya, it is way off. I had to check but both shocks are on the front of the axle. the suspension is the opposite of loose. It has no give. My theory is that the shocks are to short and don't let the springs sit free. but I didn't think this would cause a hop. each spring is only two leafs so I don't think it should ride like it does. I'll probably get springs and shocks all the way around for the lift. I don't want lift blocks, I could put them in the front but definitely not the back.

[BlacklandCamper]

3/4, or 1 ton? If if has leafs, chances are it was a selected option. In my opinion, finding a good set of well sprung leafs, with good shocks, would be better for the long term value of your truck than cutting it up and converting it to a base model suspension.

But it's your truck.

As far as the debate surrounding suspension types for 4wd, it depends on what you want to do with the truck, and how deep your pockets are. If you want a hardcore, major articulation, rock machine, go triangulated four link, with coil overs. If you take it onto the trails every now and then, but want to drive it on the street regularly, I would stick with leafs. Four links are not cheap, even if you have all the resources to fab everything at home.

[Ozzy2013]

You should NEVER put them in the front!Not a good idea .If you use them in the back use steel they allow you to get the ride height you want with out having springs that are not too stiff .You need to go through the rear suspension and set it up right there is nothing wrong with leaf spring set ups only the people that do them.Have a good one hope i helped you out .Oz

[Ozzy2013]

Originally Posted by blacklandcamper

3/4, or 1 ton? If if has leafs, chances are it was a selected option. In my opinion, finding a good set of well sprung leafs, with good shocks, would be better for the long term value of your truck than cutting it up and converting it to a base model suspension.

But it's your truck.

yup!

[Coley]

Is your current diff. set up to accept and mount the panhard rod? (it needs that little mount hole on the housing/casting)

Coley

[K10 STEPSIDE]

The truck is a half ton, I assumed being 4wd leaves were stock. after hearing what you guys have to say leaves are the best option. When I lift it I'll need new springs and shocks, and will have the entire suspension out. with a whole new setup I don't see the problems continuing.

[1968k10blue]

My truck has wheel hop even on snow, but I think that is due to old, worn out springs and shocks.

[BlacklandCamper]

Originally Posted by K10 STEPSIDE

The truck is a half ton, I assumed being 4wd leaves were stock. after hearing what you guys have to say leaves are the best option. When I lift it I'll need new springs and shocks, and will have the entire suspension out. with a whole new setup I don't see the problems continuing.

With a K designation, I figured it was 4wd.
So leaves would be original.

The first part of my post was directed more at the original poster. Who has not specified if its 2 or 4wd.

[1968k10blue]

Looking through hair previous posts it looks like it may be a c-20, but it may be a different truck that he is swapping stuff into

[desertnick69]

Originally Posted by Ozzy2013

Be better to use the cross member but if you dont mind why do you want to go to coils?Usually its the other way around .lol

I am rebuilding a truck thats been in the family for 44 yrs(42 when wrecked) and that was what it had. We haulid EVERYTHING on it and then some. As far as the leafs i think they are a bit stiff, my dad had a 1967 GMS w10.5 cab over on it, when it was off the truck was like riding a rail.

[desertnick69]

Originally Posted by blacklandcamper

with a k designation, i figured it was 4wd.
So leaves would be original.

The first part of my post was directed more at the original poster. Who has not specified if its 2 or 4wd.

its 2 wd and they are both C/20's. I will tak a monet and get some pic's for you it seems to help!