78 heavy half ton - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Straight six · 07-23-2013, 04:18 PM

So I was finally able to track down more info on my c15. The paper work says its a heavy half ton. So I'm wondering if I can use 1/2 and 3/4 ton front and rear suspension shocks, leaf springs, ect. I think it's got 8 leafs in rear really would like to use the 4 or 6 leafs there a little cheaper and if all of it would be a bolt in installation. And now I'm wondering what the other differences would be if any or does it just mean the suspension is different?
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THE "10" SILVERADO · 07-23-2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straight six

So I was finally able to track down more info on my c15. The paper work says its a heavy half ton. So I'm wondering if I can use 1/2 and 3/4 ton front and rear suspension shocks, leaf springs, ect. I think it's got 8 leafs in rear really would like to use the 4 or 6 leafs there a little cheaper and if all of it would be a bolt in installation. And now I'm wondering what the other differences would be if any or does it just mean the suspension is different?
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The heavy duty rear leafs were 56" long. Standard leafs are 52". Your rear hangars will be in the wrong location if you try to install regular duty leafs.

Straight six · 07-23-2013, 05:32 PM

So could I move the position of the hangers? and is that a something that could be done with drilling a couple more holes and sliding them in more
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Prerunner1982 · 07-23-2013, 06:56 PM

The wholes should already be in the frame. You will have to cut/drill out the factory rivets for the shackle mounts to move them back. Use grade 8 bolts when re-installing the mounts further back.

LONGHAIR · 07-23-2013, 07:20 PM

Essentially the "heavy half" trucks are a 3/4 ton truck with 5 lug wheels.
They have the heavier springs and bigger brakes, just not 8 lug axles/rotors

Straight six · 07-23-2013, 10:06 PM

Thanks, sounds like a fun little project ill definitely start Friday night. I don't tow or haul any big loads so I think the 4 leaf will work great well I hope lol. Would you think it's a good idea to replace the shackles or keep originals and just clean up
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manimal · 07-23-2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Essentially the "heavy half" trucks are a 3/4 ton truck with 5 lug wheels.
They have the heavier springs and bigger brakes, just not 8 lug axles/rotors

not quite....The frame is still a 1/2t frame. Just went through this.

Straight six · 07-23-2013, 10:33 PM

What are you talking about the 4 leafs are 1/2 ton so I'm putting them on a 1/2 ton frame I don't see the issue with that
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manimal · 07-23-2013, 10:36 PM

The response was not meant for you,sorry. You have the right plan.

Straight six · 07-23-2013, 10:49 PM

Ok thanks then Friday it is . Sorry for the snap
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THE "10" SILVERADO · 07-24-2013, 01:29 AM

Yeah, the large springs suck butt ride wise. I've got them on my 77. I would put 4 leaf packs in but I'm too lazy to mess with the rivets.

bluex · 07-24-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO

Yeah, the large springs suck butt ride wise. I've got them on my 77. I would put 4 leaf packs in but I'm too lazy to mess with the rivets.

i wanted to swap mine for the smaller ones too. It rides much better now after the flip. Since your planning a flip too, just leave them you wont regret it...

manimal · 07-24-2013, 09:36 AM

Mine actually rides VERY nice.

Straight six · 07-24-2013, 11:15 AM

Yea the ride sucks now hopefully when I put the 4 leaf it will be much smoother ride. As for the front suspension is it basically the same 1/2 and 3/4 ton I heard just the brakes are bigger but everything else is the same
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Keith Seymore · 07-24-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO

Yeah, the large springs suck butt ride wise. I've got them on my 77. I would put 4 leaf packs in but I'm too lazy to mess with the rivets.

You can remove leafs from your existing spring packs. No rivet messing required.

K

Tom · 07-24-2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

You can remove leafs from your existing spring packs. No rivet messing required.

K

Exactly what I was thinking. Why mess around with new springs and moving shackles when there is a much easier option that will also soften the ride.

Straight six · 07-24-2013, 05:17 PM

Will removing the s couple leafs lower the truck as well I was going with the 4 leaf because of price. my leafs on there now are shot thinking of replacing them
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manimal · 07-24-2013, 05:18 PM

should. I still would NOT move the spring hangers no matter what.

Straight six · 07-24-2013, 05:28 PM

Would moving the hangers compromise any integrity or stability in the trucks driving the way it rides. I'm asking because if I move the hangers and put new 4 leaf pack I don't want any damage to my baby lol
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manimal · 07-24-2013, 05:33 PM

The longer 56" springs,with less leafs will have a softer ride than the std 52" springs. I would just remove every other spring(total of 3 at at first) and see how she rides then.

Keith Seymore · 07-25-2013, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straight six

Would moving the hangers compromise any integrity or stability in the trucks driving the way it rides. I'm asking because if I move the hangers and put new 4 leaf pack I don't want any damage to my baby lol
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No - no compromise in moving the hangers.

Just replace the rivets that you cut loose with grade 8 bolts.

K

Straight six · 07-25-2013, 01:01 PM

So when I put the 4 leaf pack on will it lower the truck in back. And if so won't I have to do the front at the same time. Hoping it doesn't lower to much
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Stepside Man · 07-25-2013, 02:05 PM

The amount of lowering will only be the thickness of the leafs you are removing. If you do every other one as directed you should not see anything significant because the curve in the main leaf has not changed. I would go with removing the leafs and not moving the hangers. Dont forget new bushings in all your holes while you have it apart.

Axle · 07-27-2013, 07:04 PM

I will add, if you have the extra heavy duty front coil springs (1050 lb/in I believe), its going to feel unbalanced with the now soft springs in the rear and the "firm" springs up front.

Alex.

LONGHAIR · 07-27-2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stepside Man

The amount of lowering will only be the thickness of the leafs you are removing. If you do every other one as directed you should not see anything significant because the curve in the main leaf has not changed.

Sure it will. With less support of the curvature of the leaves below it, the main leaf will flatten out, causing more drop.
It can also increase axle wrap and lowering the load capacity too. You just have to decide which of these factors matters....and how much.

07-23-2013, 04:18 PM	#1
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	78 heavy half ton So I was finally able to track down more info on my c15. The paper work says its a heavy half ton. So I'm wondering if I can use 1/2 and 3/4 ton front and rear suspension shocks, leaf springs, ect. I think it's got 8 leafs in rear really would like to use the 4 or 6 leafs there a little cheaper and if all of it would be a bolt in installation. And now I'm wondering what the other differences would be if any or does it just mean the suspension is different? Posted via Mobile Device

07-23-2013, 05:32 PM	#3
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton So could I move the position of the hangers? and is that a something that could be done with drilling a couple more holes and sliding them in more Posted via Mobile Device

07-23-2013, 06:56 PM	#4
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: 78 heavy half ton The wholes should already be in the frame. You will have to cut/drill out the factory rivets for the shackle mounts to move them back. Use grade 8 bolts when re-installing the mounts further back. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

07-23-2013, 10:06 PM	#6
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton Thanks, sounds like a fun little project ill definitely start Friday night. I don't tow or haul any big loads so I think the 4 leaf will work great well I hope lol. Would you think it's a good idea to replace the shackles or keep originals and just clean up Posted via Mobile Device

07-23-2013, 10:33 PM	#8
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton What are you talking about the 4 leafs are 1/2 ton so I'm putting them on a 1/2 ton frame I don't see the issue with that Posted via Mobile Device

07-23-2013, 10:36 PM	#9
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: 78 heavy half ton The response was not meant for you,sorry. You have the right plan. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

07-23-2013, 10:49 PM	#10
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton Ok thanks then Friday it is . Sorry for the snap Posted via Mobile Device

07-24-2013, 01:29 AM	#11
THE "10" SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Marble Falls, TX Posts: 1,575	Re: 78 heavy half ton Yeah, the large springs suck butt ride wise. I've got them on my 77. I would put 4 leaf packs in but I'm too lazy to mess with the rivets. __________________ Michael Re-starting the neglected '77...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=425464&page=9

07-24-2013, 09:36 AM	#13
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: 78 heavy half ton Mine actually rides VERY nice. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

07-24-2013, 11:15 AM	#14
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton Yea the ride sucks now hopefully when I put the 4 leaf it will be much smoother ride. As for the front suspension is it basically the same 1/2 and 3/4 ton I heard just the brakes are bigger but everything else is the same Posted via Mobile Device

07-24-2013, 05:17 PM	#17
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton Will removing the s couple leafs lower the truck as well I was going with the 4 leaf because of price. my leafs on there now are shot thinking of replacing them Posted via Mobile Device

07-24-2013, 05:18 PM	#18
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: 78 heavy half ton should. I still would NOT move the spring hangers no matter what. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

07-24-2013, 05:28 PM	#19
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton Would moving the hangers compromise any integrity or stability in the trucks driving the way it rides. I'm asking because if I move the hangers and put new 4 leaf pack I don't want any damage to my baby lol Posted via Mobile Device

07-24-2013, 05:33 PM	#20
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: 78 heavy half ton The longer 56" springs,with less leafs will have a softer ride than the std 52" springs. I would just remove every other spring(total of 3 at at first) and see how she rides then. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

07-25-2013, 01:01 PM	#22
Straight six Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newington ct Posts: 177	Re: 78 heavy half ton So when I put the 4 leaf pack on will it lower the truck in back. And if so won't I have to do the front at the same time. Hoping it doesn't lower to much Posted via Mobile Device



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07-25-2013, 02:05 PM	#23
Stepside Man Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Derry NH Posts: 117	Re: 78 heavy half ton The amount of lowering will only be the thickness of the leafs you are removing. If you do every other one as directed you should not see anything significant because the curve in the main leaf has not changed. I would go with removing the leafs and not moving the hangers. Dont forget new bushings in all your holes while you have it apart. __________________ 1977 K10 6ft Stepside L6 1978 C10 8ft Stepside 400 1980 C10 8ft Widebox with Uncle L6 1986 K35 Not a dually 350; 79 K20 Stripped 1973 and 1976 Chevy Truck Trailers 1995 Impala SS LT1

07-27-2013, 07:04 PM	#24
Axle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SW Ontario Posts: 1,212	Re: 78 heavy half ton I will add, if you have the extra heavy duty front coil springs (1050 lb/in I believe), its going to feel unbalanced with the now soft springs in the rear and the "firm" springs up front. Alex.

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