Coil springs: 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton?

[bud45]

I'm not "into" lowering trucks- I apologize to those who are!- but my '69 GMC has the same, original coil springs it came with. It doesn't sag at any corner, so it's OK, but I DO use it to go in the woods & go hunting and haul firewood, etc. Here's my question: will 3/4 ton coils work under it and would they possibly give me a little lift, too? Looking at aftermarket suppliers, there doesn't seem to be any, IF any, difference in prices, so...? Thanks, Bud

[Longhorn Man]

They would gove a stiffer ride, and might get you 1/2 an inch.

[WestCoaster]

Hi Bud

Planning on doing the same, cost per coil from NAPA is $91.56

Stock
id dia Load Hgt coils load Rate Free Hgt Part Number
.812 10.00" 7.92 2950 1016 12.94 PN 277-1752

77 BB
.830 10.00" 8.00 3841 1060 13.61 PN 277-2074

I'm "guessing" that if you have a SB instead of BB we will see a little lift in the front end. I'll leave it to the pro's on the board who may have more than "book info" to verify. If we don't hear anything, I plan a 77 front end swap soon and plan on adding the BB springs. I'll post my results

WC

[WestCoaster]

How about rear leaf upgrades for a 70 3/4 ton while we are at it? I have not used blocks for anything since I quit playing with LEGO'S ;-)

WC

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by WestCoaster

Hi Bud

....Planning on doing the same, cost per coil from NAPA is $91.56....


WC

Do you mean, they cost 91 bucks per individual spring?

If so, that's rape. A set of stock replacement coil springs should cost 60-90 bucks a pair, not each.

[WestCoaster]

Yah its is list price, just a reference, back to the original ???, what do ya KNOW about the swap? We're lookin for real world results here. Does the swap of BB springs add lift? If not, how?

WC

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

If you want a lift use some out of a 1 ton truck.

[Stryker67]

I've got a pair of 3/4 ton coils from a '66 truck that I once installed in a '72 longbed I drove in high school. That truck is history, but I saved the springs. Don't really know why. I guess I've had them for ......good grief!.......19 years.......Man, I'm gettin' old. If anybody wants them, I'll sell them for $60 for the pair plus shipping.

[3 on the tree]

Look at a set of springs for the same year Suburban. They were rated higher than a 1/2 ton, but less than a 3/4 ton, so they will give you more weight capacity without the rougher ride.

[68w/sbc406]

Originally Posted by 3 on the tree

Look at a set of springs for the same year Suburban. They were rated higher than a 1/2 ton, but less than a 3/4 ton, so they will give you more weight capacity without the rougher ride.

so are those like 5/8 ton???

[bud45]

Hmmm....LMC offers a front/rear set for C20 w/396-402 engines for $130 + s&h...maybe that's something like I'm looking for? My GMC is a 1500 Series (with a 283), what the parts store equates with a C10, so these should work with my truck? BUT, if I only get 1/2" lift, it's not worth it...I'd like a little more, if possible, on all four corners.

Regarding how old the truck is, wear & tear AND putting C20 springs under it, maybe there'd be more lift than we're thinking? Also, the ride is already rough with the all-terrain tires right now; when hunting season is over (end of April), the 60's go back on!

Westcoaster, I'd like to know your results on the big block springs! I'm not looking for a "rake" but a lift on all four corners, as I said previously. I may not get anything done until after hunting season, any way, but at least I can get it ready for next season...and I'll be working on the club's roads until then, so I'll need it. Hmmm, in that case, the 60's may NOT go back on...?