very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

97guns · 07-20-2006, 05:21 PM

ive really never seen rear coils on a vehicle from this era much less a truck. every late 60-early 70 car ive had/seen has always had rear leafs. is there an advantage in having rear coils over leafs?

glock35ipsc · 07-20-2006, 05:30 PM

Coil springs were standard in the 67-72 Chevs. Actually, from 60-72 I beleive.

Longhorn Man · 07-20-2006, 05:42 PM

yep, it's a loop hole GM used to have that long trailing arm in stock car racing, it had to be used in a production vehicle, so they stuffed it under the truck. This way they could run it in races.
It's a very good set up, good ride, hooks up good, easy to adjust.
Sucks running exhaust though.

409biscayne · 07-21-2006, 12:57 AM

It's really not a bad system , at least in the 1/2 tons anyway . And it does hook well at the strip . Isn't Nascar still using trailing arm ?

lilred67 · 07-21-2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 409biscayne

It's really not a bad system , at least in the 1/2 tons anyway . And it does hook well at the strip . Isn't Nascar still using trailing arm ?

yes,nascar is still running it!

Joe67 · 07-21-2006, 09:43 AM

Nice - I never knew about the Nascar connection to the rear suspension setup on our trucks

67ChevyRedneck · 07-21-2006, 09:43 AM

Coil spring

Adv: Rides nice
Dis adv: Unless helper springs are used, can't haul a real heavy load.

Leaf Spring

Adv: can haul heavier loads
Dis adv: Ride is not as nice. More stiff and harsh.

jacobs · 07-21-2006, 09:45 AM

I installed 3/4 ton Custom Camper coil springs on a 70 1/2 ton and it got rid of the mushy soft ride and greatly increased the payload. At the same time I replaced the shocks with Custom Camper. These shocks are valved 50 50.

Longhorn Man · 07-21-2006, 02:46 PM

the coils and the leafs are rated for the exact same load.

Sweet72 · 07-21-2006, 02:55 PM

I was told by a local bracket racer that you want the light 1/2 ton coils to get the tires to hook up, as opposed to the heavy-duty rear coils like my GMC has. I wasn't very impressed with my trucks handling when loaded heavily, real bouncy and light on the front tires.

67ChevyRedneck · 07-21-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the coils and the leafs are rated for the exact same load.

Then why did my truck squat so bad that the tires almost rubbed the fenders when I had it loaded with wood and my dads 69 with leafs didn't squat half as much as mine with a bigger load? The 67 was probably overloaded, but the other truck would have been as well???

Learn something new everyday

motocrosschump · 07-21-2006, 03:37 PM

you guys always bursting bubbles

Longhorn Man · 07-21-2006, 03:58 PM

My statement was kinda misleading, and somewhat of a loaded comment.

They are in fact both rated the same.
So up to the load limits, they are both 100% capable.
For mild overloading, the leaf will take a little more abuse, still act as a spring and an active suspention.
For extreem overloading, you will ruin the leafs.
Coils will just go into coil bind... one coil stackes on top of the other.

07-20-2006, 05:21 PM	#1
97guns Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: san jose Posts: 54	very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! ive really never seen rear coils on a vehicle from this era much less a truck. every late 60-early 70 car ive had/seen has always had rear leafs. is there an advantage in having rear coils over leafs?

07-20-2006, 05:30 PM	#2
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! Coil springs were standard in the 67-72 Chevs. Actually, from 60-72 I beleive. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

07-20-2006, 05:42 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! yep, it's a loop hole GM used to have that long trailing arm in stock car racing, it had to be used in a production vehicle, so they stuffed it under the truck. This way they could run it in races. It's a very good set up, good ride, hooks up good, easy to adjust. Sucks running exhaust though.

07-21-2006, 12:57 AM	#4
409biscayne Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane , Wash. Posts: 790	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! It's really not a bad system , at least in the 1/2 tons anyway . And it does hook well at the strip . Isn't Nascar still using trailing arm ? __________________ Can-Am Motorsports 37 Chev Coupe 331 4 speed 5.13 posi . ex-gasser . 64 Biscayne 409 2x4 4 speed 4.11 posi 65 Nova Wagon Drag Car 383 t400 (Dragin-Wagon) 68 c10 cst 396 t400 a/c buckets lwb 4.11 posi (SOLD)

07-21-2006, 09:43 AM	#6
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! Nice - I never knew about the Nascar connection to the rear suspension setup on our trucks __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

07-21-2006, 09:43 AM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! Coil spring Adv: Rides nice Dis adv: Unless helper springs are used, can't haul a real heavy load. Leaf Spring Adv: can haul heavier loads Dis adv: Ride is not as nice. More stiff and harsh. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

07-21-2006, 09:45 AM	#8
jacobs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 9000' Mountain Man Posts: 326	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! I installed 3/4 ton Custom Camper coil springs on a 70 1/2 ton and it got rid of the mushy soft ride and greatly increased the payload. At the same time I replaced the shocks with Custom Camper. These shocks are valved 50 50.

07-21-2006, 02:46 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! the coils and the leafs are rated for the exact same load.

07-21-2006, 02:55 PM	#10
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! I was told by a local bracket racer that you want the light 1/2 ton coils to get the tires to hook up, as opposed to the heavy-duty rear coils like my GMC has. I wasn't very impressed with my trucks handling when loaded heavily, real bouncy and light on the front tires. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction. Last edited by Sweet72; 07-21-2006 at 08:49 PM.

07-21-2006, 03:37 PM	#12
motocrosschump Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texarkana, AR 71854 Posts: 397	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! you guys always bursting bubbles __________________ 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab Daily Driver 2005 Mazda Tribute (Wifes car) 1969 C10 SWB 350/3 Fleet "Max" 1969 Chevelle 2 door 350/3

07-21-2006, 03:58 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: very surprised when i found out my '71 has rear coil springs !!!! My statement was kinda misleading, and somewhat of a loaded comment. They are in fact both rated the same. So up to the load limits, they are both 100% capable. For mild overloading, the leaf will take a little more abuse, still act as a spring and an active suspention. For extreem overloading, you will ruin the leafs. Coils will just go into coil bind... one coil stackes on top of the other.

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