Softer Springs? Or Stick w/ 3/4? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67Blacksheep · 03-31-2002, 07:13 PM

All-
When I got my donor 1/2 ton parts, I made sure to get the springs. I need opinions on whether to leave the springs on mine stock...or should I put the 1/2 ton springs on to soften it up a bit? Any suggestions welcome? I have been told to leave it alone for the handling?

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67 Chevy C20 LB Stepside,
350 4-bolt with goodies.

da-burb · 03-31-2002, 08:17 PM

If you look in the parts books today, 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton coils are the same spring. The next step up is the HD 3/4 ton spring. That's what they put in my 3/4 ton Camper Special.

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1971 C-10 Suburban
1972 C-10 Suburban
1969 XL Galaxie Fastback
1968 Galaxie 500 Fastback
1974 SCOUT II

Montrose, Minnesota

Longhorn Man · 03-31-2002, 08:41 PM

Interesting..I didn't know that. Then again, the only 3/4 tons I've looked under were all Longhorns, and they all have the leaf set up.

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'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com
Andy, in Columbus Ohio

lukecp · 03-31-2002, 08:59 PM

When i was at the parts store pricing new coils for my C10 (which are the same PN for C10's and 20's, like they say) i asked about putting HD springs on the back so it wouldn't sag so much when i loaded my 4wheeler in the back. They said that it would stiffen up my ride alot. So, yes it should make your ride softer. Also, i have the HD rear spring option on my truck, but they are very old and weak. Would the HD rear spring simply be 3/4 ton springs in my 1/2 ton, or something like a 5/8 ton? lol.

------------------
Lucas

"Another proud owner of one of the coolest trucks ever built"

drop_shift@hotmail.com

My Daily-Driver: '72 Chevy LWB Custom/10. Rebuilt 350, 300 HP thanks to a few go-fast goodies. Ochre with a white top. Future plans include a frame off restoration, and maybe a blown 383.

67Blacksheep · 03-31-2002, 09:13 PM

Gentlemen-
This may seem as an odd question...but if the springs are the same, what would make a 3/4 ton a 3/4 ton? My truck is LB step side with the wood bed. Very stiff!. My Bud told me to leave well enough alone to reduce whell hop from my heavy foot. If the springs are in fact the same, I guess I have nothing to change!! I may very well have the HD springs however, as a 3-wheeler along with several heavy stones didn't faze it!

69 longhorn · 03-31-2002, 10:14 PM

On the front springs(aftermarket) ,I believe 1/2 & 3/4 are the same,but different with air ,or without. I was told that the 6 cyl springs are also lighter(by a local spring shop). On the rear springs ......Im not sure, but think the 3/4 ton springs are heavier.......69 longhorn.

neonlarry · 03-31-2002, 10:27 PM

My 1970 C/10 has Heavy duty front springs and heavy duty rear springs listed in the glove box. I also saw a 69 C/10 that only had heavy duty rear springs listed. I don't know what the difference is, but I heard somewhere that the heavy duty coils for the 1/2 ton were the same as the normal 3/4 ton ones. I really don't understand it though, but I don't think 1/2 and 3/4 coils are the same.

**ThreeQuarter** · 03-31-2002, 10:32 PM

We're talking front springs, right? I've seen the books for front springs and I remember there being a lot of overlap in the 1/2 & 3/4 ton applications. The front end spring rate is less crucial to a the GVWR than it is to what engine is mounted in it. But the rear springs must be different, right?

What else makes a 3/4 ton? Brakes, axles, axles, ball joints, lugs, etc.

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'67 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 327/TH400/4.57
'92 Chevy K1500 XCab LWB 350/NV4500/3.73
Aggieland, TX

704x4 · 03-31-2002, 10:43 PM

BIGGER
axles
rear end
springs (at least in my 4x4, i guarentee it, it's a rough riding sob)
and more lugs

1-PU70 · 04-01-2002, 03:27 PM

Well Iv been through the rear and front spring thing. You can get for the rear 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and HD3/4ton and variable rate rear springs. HD's are way to stiff and give a teriable ride and sit a little bit lower then the 3/4 ton. The 3/4 ton is what i have now and seem to be the best all round ones. Nothing will cary weight as good as leafs but the coils still tow good. As for the front there is 1/2 ton and 1/2 ton BB witch is the same as 3/4 ton. I put 3/4 in front with a SB and 3/4 in rear and the truck sits high and leval (alot of people ask me if its a 4x4 because it sits high. When i put the BB in it just gave it a little rake. Here is the link to a pick. http://www.freephoto-i.net/browse.php3

03-31-2002, 07:13 PM	#1
67Blacksheep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 135	Softer Springs? Or Stick w/ 3/4? All- When I got my donor 1/2 ton parts, I made sure to get the springs. I need opinions on whether to leave the springs on mine stock...or should I put the 1/2 ton springs on to soften it up a bit? Any suggestions welcome? I have been told to leave it alone for the handling? ------------------ 67 Chevy C20 LB Stepside, 350 4-bolt with goodies. __________________ '94 GMC Seirra Ext. Cab '67 Formula Firebird '89 GSX-R 750

03-31-2002, 08:17 PM	#2
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	If you look in the parts books today, 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton coils are the same spring. The next step up is the HD 3/4 ton spring. That's what they put in my 3/4 ton Camper Special. ------------------ 1971 C-10 Suburban 1972 C-10 Suburban 1969 XL Galaxie Fastback 1968 Galaxie 500 Fastback 1974 SCOUT II Montrose, Minnesota __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

03-31-2002, 08:59 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	When i was at the parts store pricing new coils for my C10 (which are the same PN for C10's and 20's, like they say) i asked about putting HD springs on the back so it wouldn't sag so much when i loaded my 4wheeler in the back. They said that it would stiffen up my ride alot. So, yes it should make your ride softer. Also, i have the HD rear spring option on my truck, but they are very old and weak. Would the HD rear spring simply be 3/4 ton springs in my 1/2 ton, or something like a 5/8 ton? lol. ------------------ Lucas "Another proud owner of one of the coolest trucks ever built" drop_shift@hotmail.com My Daily-Driver: '72 Chevy LWB Custom/10. Rebuilt 350, 300 HP thanks to a few go-fast goodies. Ochre with a white top. Future plans include a frame off restoration, and maybe a blown 383. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

03-31-2002, 09:13 PM	#5
67Blacksheep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 135	Gentlemen- This may seem as an odd question...but if the springs are the same, what would make a 3/4 ton a 3/4 ton? My truck is LB step side with the wood bed. Very stiff!. My Bud told me to leave well enough alone to reduce whell hop from my heavy foot. If the springs are in fact the same, I guess I have nothing to change!! I may very well have the HD springs however, as a 3-wheeler along with several heavy stones didn't faze it! __________________ '94 GMC Seirra Ext. Cab '67 Formula Firebird '89 GSX-R 750

03-31-2002, 10:14 PM	#6
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	On the front springs(aftermarket) ,I believe 1/2 & 3/4 are the same,but different with air ,or without. I was told that the 6 cyl springs are also lighter(by a local spring shop). On the rear springs ......Im not sure, but think the 3/4 ton springs are heavier.......69 longhorn. __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

03-31-2002, 08:41 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Interesting..I didn't know that. Then again, the only 3/4 tons I've looked under were all Longhorns, and they all have the leaf set up. ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio

03-31-2002, 10:27 PM	#7
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	My 1970 C/10 has Heavy duty front springs and heavy duty rear springs listed in the glove box. I also saw a 69 C/10 that only had heavy duty rear springs listed. I don't know what the difference is, but I heard somewhere that the heavy duty coils for the 1/2 ton were the same as the normal 3/4 ton ones. I really don't understand it though, but I don't think 1/2 and 3/4 coils are the same. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

03-31-2002, 10:32 PM	#8
ThreeQuarter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texan in Iowa Posts: 2,522	We're talking front springs, right? I've seen the books for front springs and I remember there being a lot of overlap in the 1/2 & 3/4 ton applications. The front end spring rate is less crucial to a the GVWR than it is to what engine is mounted in it. But the rear springs must be different, right? What else makes a 3/4 ton? Brakes, axles, axles, ball joints, lugs, etc. ------------------ '67 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 327/TH400/4.57 '92 Chevy K1500 XCab LWB 350/NV4500/3.73 Aggieland, TX __________________ Ben '68 Chevy C10 Custom LWB 327/TH400 2nd owner '16 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Dblcab 4wd 5.3

03-31-2002, 10:43 PM	#9
704x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greene, Iowa Posts: 150	BIGGER axles rear end springs (at least in my 4x4, i guarentee it, it's a rough riding sob) and more lugs __________________ 70 3/4 ton 4x4 FOR SALE Greene, IA

04-01-2002, 03:27 PM	#10
1-PU70 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,036	Well Iv been through the rear and front spring thing. You can get for the rear 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and HD3/4ton and variable rate rear springs. HD's are way to stiff and give a teriable ride and sit a little bit lower then the 3/4 ton. The 3/4 ton is what i have now and seem to be the best all round ones. Nothing will cary weight as good as leafs but the coils still tow good. As for the front there is 1/2 ton and 1/2 ton BB witch is the same as 3/4 ton. I put 3/4 in front with a SB and 3/4 in rear and the truck sits high and leval (alot of people ask me if its a 4x4 because it sits high. When i put the BB in it just gave it a little rake. Here is the link to a pick. http://www.freephoto-i.net/browse.php3 __________________ 1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters



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