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07-01-2003, 04:13 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Franktown, CO. USA
Posts: 533
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Which is better????
Which is better?
A SWB 2wd Chevy chassis or a SWB 2wd GMC chassis (coil vs. leaf springs)? Is the traction better on one than the other? Is one easier to lower (mild) than the other? I've always been a 4x4 guy, but getting ready to build a street rod. Thanks for your opinions in advance! |
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07-01-2003, 04:17 PM
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#2 |
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Resident Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NH
Posts: 6,664
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IMO, the only advantage to leafs is hauling capacity
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Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter  Maybe I need to sell some of this crap  Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all |
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07-01-2003, 04:21 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Franktown, CO. USA
Posts: 533
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Jeff,
If I don't need to haul anything, would your opinion be to choose the coils over leafs? |
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07-01-2003, 04:23 PM
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#4 |
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Resident Curmudgeon
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NH
Posts: 6,664
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Yes, even if keeping it at stock height and definately yes if mildly lowering it.
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Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all |
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07-01-2003, 04:27 PM
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#5 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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The coils are way better IMO too. Good enough for the Bush cars on the NASCAR circuit...good enough for us.
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07-01-2003, 04:32 PM
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#6 | |
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Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,816
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think of it like this. with the leafs, it is easier to have wheel hop because of the rear end torqueing the leafs up and down when trying to gain traction. with the coils, the trailering arms go half way up the truck, meaning that the rear end would have to try and lift the whole truck in order to get traction.
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Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 •360 w/46RE •392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB •350 w/ 700R4 •3.73 posi •PS PB A/C - SOLD  Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ Quote:
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07-01-2003, 04:39 PM
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#7 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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And those real long trailing arms are big 'ole honkin traction bars.
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07-01-2003, 05:41 PM
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#8 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Shelbyville, KY
Posts: 3,269
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Classic Truck did a nice article on the two options in last months edition. The interesting thing is that the way the leaf verses coil handle do to the mounting position of the springs. Leafs mount outside the frame thus giving a more stable ride in turns whereas the coil mount inside the frame making it have a bit more sway in the turns. I have two trucks very similar except for the rear springs and the leaf truck is much more stable in turns and can handle loads better. The coil is a softer ride. Both have overloads. I did put wide ralleys on the coil which helped a lot but still not up to the leaf. For a street rod, I would tend to go with the coil as there is more you can do with it but as a work truck, you can't beat leafs. By the way, current production is all leafs.
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07-01-2003, 05:52 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Franktown, CO. USA
Posts: 533
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Thanks to you all for the input.
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07-01-2003, 06:47 PM
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#10 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,002
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A GMC will not necessarily have leafs and a Chevy will not necessarily have coils.
I would go for coils. |
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07-01-2003, 09:18 PM
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#11 |
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Have A Nice Day!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: California
Posts: 356
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Go for the coils. I have seen far more parts for the coil set up. ride nice too. (When- lowered, sway bars, ect)
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1970 CST K10 350/350/205
Short Bed - Fleetside Tach-Tilt-A/C-Tow Hooks Front & Rear Disc Brakes Front & Rear Posi 3.73 Gears 30 Gallon Stainless Fuel Tank SOLD 01/18 !!!!! 2007 2500 HD Classic Crew Cab LT2 4X4 Duramax LBZ   |
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07-01-2003, 09:58 PM
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#12 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Illinios
Posts: 27
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guess what ..... nascar truck series use a very very close design to the coil and aframe set up we have on our older chev's hmmmm wonder how many of you nascar fans missed that point HEHE
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