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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Would it give me a softer ride if I remove the bottom leaf?
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,177
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Put a small block with a 400 bolted to it in the bed.
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"Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
... or a VW Beetle?
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Sedalia Mo.
Posts: 1,131
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
If you are talking about the thick one that barely touches the others...don't do that!
Let's talk hypothetically, I am not qualified to advise anyone on modifying there suspension components. I can just talk theory at this point. That lower thick leaf looks to be a back up for heavily loaded situations or big potholes. Removing it would not be noticeable wrt the ride until you needed it and it would not be there. That lower thick one also keeps your other springs from bending backwards (or downwards). That leaves the next leaf up, it's a shorter one compared to the other 4 leaves above it which tells me that it contributes to a bit less than 20% of the support (maybe as little as 10%). I believe your ride would get softer if you removed that one from both sides. You would also loose some ride height (IDK how much, certainly the thickness of the spring and then some more for the loss of support). The scary part is that removing any of the springs also reduces the support that the springs above would have which sounds dangerous to me, maybe life threatening. I would leave the spring designs/mods to the spring engineers!
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He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20 |
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#5 |
Registered User
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Location: Brookston, In
Posts: 482
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
I believe the correct way would be to leave the base spring and remove every other spring after it till what you want. One or two would make a lot of difference on ride but of course at the cost of payload capacity. If never used as a 3/4 ton for payload it would not make a lot of difference for you.
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#6 | |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,643
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Quote:
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,720
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
If you don't run the truck loaded, tailor the ride with air pressure. If you have load range D tires that specify 65 psi, try running them at 45. Even on my Duramax with it's load range E tires that spec 80 psi, I only run them at that level if I am loaded or pulling HEAVY.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#8 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,431
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
If you want a little more softness in the ride, raise the truck up by the frame and spray a dry Teflon(R) lube in between the leaves. Interleaf friction is a real thing. If you look at really big truck, you won't even see shocks, because interleaf spring friction reduces the bounce that much.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Coast
Posts: 180
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Quote:
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-Jim 71 Chevrolet C20 94 GMC Yukon 4x4 ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Catskill Mountains,NY
Posts: 8,500
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
If you don't plan on loading up your truck with gravel or firewood the overload spring can be removed. Been done thousands of times on trucks. But it does serve another purpose, helps prevent wheel hop or axle wrap .So if your running a strong engine and or towing you may experience it.
I removed the overload and one leaf. Much softer ride. But I am going with a set of lowering springs and drop spindles this winter . Truck needs another 2 inches at least.
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Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary. |
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#11 |
Registered User
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Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road.
Posts: 2,629
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Just get a 1/2 ton with a coil spring rear end and go waddling down the road!
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,720
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Sourcing parts in Sweden just a LITTLE more complicated and expensive than getting parts in the US...
Tires are the easiest. Google about setting correct tire pressure based on load, the chalk method specifically. I run the 33 12.5 15's on my CJ-5 at 20 psi on the road. The 35 12.5 16.5 BFG AT's on my Jimmy are set at 26 and could probably go a little lower.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#13 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,431
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
There is nothing in the maintenance manuals about this for our trucks. Back in the day ('50s), kerosene was used. But that can collect dust, so I use a dry lube. I think that it was when lubing the rest of the vehicle, at oil change time. On my '56 Chevy wagon I pulled the springs apart and put in thin Teflon spacers to soften the ride. If you look at really big trucks, they don't even have shocks, because inter-leaf friction on those heavy duty springs provides the damping.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA Last edited by Steeveedee; 10-11-2018 at 03:45 PM. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Might try that! I never put anything really heavy on the bed1
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Yes! I've thought about that too. Will figure out if I can compare them - perhaps at LMC-truck webpage
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Engine is orinal 400 - 173 hp. How much did it drop in height? My rear could "afford" 1 inch or 1 1/2 lower without loosing stance
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
That's on option I guess!
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
Quote:
![]() Reading all the experienced advise I'll definitely will put lube between the leafs.Might also try to remove leafs and see what happens. Probably would a new set of softer springs be the best idea. The ones I have are "heavy duty". There should be a softer set for C10 - but C10 has coil springs. But there should be softer c20 leaf springs available?? Great Forum !! ![]() Last edited by Arctic c20 -72; 10-14-2018 at 03:01 AM. |
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#20 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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My C 20 ramp truck is way to harsh of a ride when empty. I've been thinking about taking the leafs off altogether and bagging it.
It has like 15 leafs in each side. Those coil spring shocks are not doing a thing for it either. This winter I hope to change some of that. ![]()
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: sweden
Posts: 11
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Re: softer ride c20 -72 leaf springs
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