C10 with heavy duty springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KrazyKevin · 10-29-2009, 06:24 AM

Read on the glove box where my truck has the heavy duty spring package. For a daily driver, how will these springs ride? I'd assume that regular springs wouldn't be that much of a problem to find and change out. How much of a difference will the heavy duty springs make vs. normal springs? I don't plan on hauling anything. I have the current springs ready for paint. Gonna spray some yellow on them. Just wondering if I need to keep them or go with the regular springs that came with the c10.

Thanks

Kevin

BluTrukker · 10-29-2009, 07:31 AM

Mine says that too. I could be wrong, but I believe all that refers to is the extra overload springs. The coils or leafs should be the same and ride the same as a C10 without the heavy spring option. If anyone knows different please correct me.

Shyguy · 10-29-2009, 10:19 AM

The SPID on my '71 says heavy duty rear springs.

It means the coil springs are heavier than normal springs I figure since it does not have the half springs to the rear of the axle.

My truck is a lwb stepper and it rides ok, but I don't know how a swb would ride since it has less weight in the back.

My truck is used to pull and haul stuff so I like having the heavier rear springs.

Danny

mrh33916 · 10-29-2009, 10:39 AM

The SPID on my '67 say's the same thing and it only has coils,

KrazyKevin · 10-29-2009, 03:26 PM

Yeah, mine is a 72 swb and only has the coils also. What exactly are overload springs? Or is my coils all my truck originally came with?

red71c10 · 10-29-2009, 03:53 PM

My '71 has HD springs too. According to the sales brochure, standard rear springs for a 1/2 ton are 1250 lbs, and the HD springs are 2000 lbs. 3/4 ton standard springs are also 2000 lbs, with 3000 being the option. These trucks are tweeners. They are 1/2 ton in most respects (gearing etc...), but they can carry a load more like a 3/4 ton would.

KrazyKevin · 10-29-2009, 04:13 PM

I'm gonna go with the HD ones. I just hope I'm not missing out on a smoother ride if I were to downgrade to the 1250 springs.

mclairmo · 10-29-2009, 05:30 PM

C20 rear springs will ride stiffer.

capev86 · 10-29-2009, 07:11 PM

yeah.....heavy duty springs on a 1/2 ton are the standard 3/4 ton spec 2000 lb rated springs. hd 3/4 ton springs are rated at 2750 lbs. i will be swapping them out (eventually) on my 72 3/4 ton burb. realistically, most pickups (and all 1/2 ton burbs) should have had the 2000 lb rated springs from the factory for better cargo capacity. riding in the front seat, just having stiff rear springs won't be too rough as you are nearer the front. i like to keep the front factory soft and stiffen up the rear. modern shocks and the right tires will smooth things out. my burb rides pretty smooth on the highway....its only on back roads with frost heaves and such that make you realize you are driving a 3/4 ton truck. but it doesn't faze me....even my grandmother rides in the truck without complaint.

my dad replaced the totally shot standard springs in his 72 burb with 3/4 ton units back in the mid 80's. his truck had the 1/2 leaf overload springs, which it never needed after the swap, even with our heavy 71 holiday camper hitched up. we still have the camper and i'm looking forward to getting some use out of it now that i have my own classic burb to match. as for the overload springs.....just running with stiffer coils out back cleans up the look underneath and sheds some unneeded weight. i will probably keep my 3/4 ton rears for the future.....be perfect for a blazer project. i see so many trucks out there hauling heavy trailers and don't have enough rear spring for the job (i.e. - major rear end sag)

leh72super1500 · 10-29-2009, 09:23 PM

KrazyKevin, On my SPID the option G50 is "Heavy Rear Springs" (coil) and the option G60 is the "Auxilliary Springs" (or overload), these are single half leaf springs that come down from the frame behind the axle. The axle can travel up a couple of inches before they engage. In my opinion, all things being equal the shorty will always have a rougher ride than a long wheel base as the cab and seat are closer to the rear wheels. Hope this helps.

KrazyKevin · 10-30-2009, 06:30 AM

thanks all. THese heavy duty ones will work until I figure out if I'm going to lower the truck any. Thanks again!!

10-29-2009, 06:24 AM	#1
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	C10 with heavy duty springs Read on the glove box where my truck has the heavy duty spring package. For a daily driver, how will these springs ride? I'd assume that regular springs wouldn't be that much of a problem to find and change out. How much of a difference will the heavy duty springs make vs. normal springs? I don't plan on hauling anything. I have the current springs ready for paint. Gonna spray some yellow on them. Just wondering if I need to keep them or go with the regular springs that came with the c10. Thanks Kevin __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee

10-29-2009, 07:31 AM	#2
BluTrukker BOHICA Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Stewartville, MN Posts: 440	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs Mine says that too. I could be wrong, but I believe all that refers to is the extra overload springs. The coils or leafs should be the same and ride the same as a C10 without the heavy spring option. If anyone knows different please correct me. __________________ Trying to save someone from their own stupidity is like teaching a pig to dance. It is a waste of your time, and it annoys the pig!

10-29-2009, 10:19 AM	#3
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs The SPID on my '71 says heavy duty rear springs. It means the coil springs are heavier than normal springs I figure since it does not have the half springs to the rear of the axle. My truck is a lwb stepper and it rides ok, but I don't know how a swb would ride since it has less weight in the back. My truck is used to pull and haul stuff so I like having the heavier rear springs. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

10-29-2009, 10:39 AM	#4
mrh33916 Project '67 454 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 283	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs The SPID on my '67 say's the same thing and it only has coils,

10-29-2009, 03:26 PM	#5
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs Yeah, mine is a 72 swb and only has the coils also. What exactly are overload springs? Or is my coils all my truck originally came with? __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee

10-29-2009, 03:53 PM	#6
red71c10 The Red Menace Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Roseburg, OR Posts: 577	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs My '71 has HD springs too. According to the sales brochure, standard rear springs for a 1/2 ton are 1250 lbs, and the HD springs are 2000 lbs. 3/4 ton standard springs are also 2000 lbs, with 3000 being the option. These trucks are tweeners. They are 1/2 ton in most respects (gearing etc...), but they can carry a load more like a 3/4 ton would. __________________ 1971 Custom 10 - 350/350TH - Pwr steering, gauges, Chrome front bumper, Chrome hubcaps, Door edge guards, HD rear springs (current) 1968 C-20 Custom Camper - 350/350TH (orig 327), Pwr steering & brakes, gauges w/tach (former) 1968 C-20 - 307/3sp column (Dad's when I was a kid) "Driving is like coloring. Things get messy if you can't stay inside the lines." Last edited by red71c10; 10-29-2009 at 03:54 PM.

10-29-2009, 04:13 PM	#7
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs I'm gonna go with the HD ones. I just hope I'm not missing out on a smoother ride if I were to downgrade to the 1250 springs. __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee

10-29-2009, 05:30 PM	#8
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs C20 rear springs will ride stiffer.

10-29-2009, 07:11 PM	#9
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs yeah.....heavy duty springs on a 1/2 ton are the standard 3/4 ton spec 2000 lb rated springs. hd 3/4 ton springs are rated at 2750 lbs. i will be swapping them out (eventually) on my 72 3/4 ton burb. realistically, most pickups (and all 1/2 ton burbs) should have had the 2000 lb rated springs from the factory for better cargo capacity. riding in the front seat, just having stiff rear springs won't be too rough as you are nearer the front. i like to keep the front factory soft and stiffen up the rear. modern shocks and the right tires will smooth things out. my burb rides pretty smooth on the highway....its only on back roads with frost heaves and such that make you realize you are driving a 3/4 ton truck. but it doesn't faze me....even my grandmother rides in the truck without complaint. my dad replaced the totally shot standard springs in his 72 burb with 3/4 ton units back in the mid 80's. his truck had the 1/2 leaf overload springs, which it never needed after the swap, even with our heavy 71 holiday camper hitched up. we still have the camper and i'm looking forward to getting some use out of it now that i have my own classic burb to match. as for the overload springs.....just running with stiffer coils out back cleans up the look underneath and sheds some unneeded weight. i will probably keep my 3/4 ton rears for the future.....be perfect for a blazer project. i see so many trucks out there hauling heavy trailers and don't have enough rear spring for the job (i.e. - major rear end sag)

10-29-2009, 09:23 PM	#10
leh72super1500 GMC with Blue Plaid Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Langdon, Alberta Posts: 139	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs KrazyKevin, On my SPID the option G50 is "Heavy Rear Springs" (coil) and the option G60 is the "Auxilliary Springs" (or overload), these are single half leaf springs that come down from the frame behind the axle. The axle can travel up a couple of inches before they engage. In my opinion, all things being equal the shorty will always have a rougher ride than a long wheel base as the cab and seat are closer to the rear wheels. Hope this helps. __________________ Current: 1972 GMC Super Custom 1500 402 < 73K Orig MI 2015 GMC Canyon SLT(Daily Driver) Previous: 2008 Chevrolet Colorado LT 2.9L I4 1988 Chevrolet Suburban Silverado 10 350 < 60K Orig MI 1984 GMC S-15 2.8L V6 1976 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 Camper Special 350 1980 GMC High Sierra 3500 Dually 350 4spd 1974 Chevrolet Cheyenne Super 10 Shorty 454 (Was my Dads, I wish I still had it) 1969 GMC 910 250 I6 4spd

10-30-2009, 06:30 AM	#11
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Re: C10 with heavy duty springs thanks all. THese heavy duty ones will work until I figure out if I'm going to lower the truck any. Thanks again!! __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee



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