C20 Rough ride

[Mossbeard]

My '66 C20 has such a rough ride that after a 10-15 miles I'm fairly certain some of my internal organs have been relocated. Since I'm new to these trucks (older and C20) I had assumed that this was normal.

Last weekend I delivered about 400lbs of paver stones and bagged sand. I had a full tank of fuel (original tank behind seat). This was the first time I've driven the truck with any weight in the back. It drove like a dream. Wonderfully smooth ride.

So, a question for the experienced folks here: Is this normal?

[70inline6]

Yep! Made for farm work and a full load.

[TJ's Chevy]

I haven't ridden in my 64 c20 on the road, but my 66 c10 loaded or unload rides like a dream....I think with a better set of shocks....gas charged instead of coil over then ride might be a bit smoother...But I know what rough ride is like. lol My 77 c20 unloaded rides like a bucking bronco....its even worse with a trailer behind. They're made for work, not ride.

[earl84]

With a C20, there's a good chance you have the heavy duty rear coil spring, and they will ride rough with no load in the bed. Easiest way to a better ride, buy some stock replacement non-heavy duty springs, if you have the heavy duty springs. Or, replace with bags and Schrader valves. But be prepared to have to cut out the old ones with a torch.

[61_FL_Apache]

A typical C-10 rides well unloaded, C-20 or higher, not so much!

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by earl84

With a C20, there's a good chance you have the heavy duty rear coil spring, and they will ride rough with no load in the bed.

I agree, you must have the optional heavy duty rear coil ( not overload leaf ) rated at 3000 lb and they ride stiff empty. The standard C 20 coil springs were rated a 2000lb and they actually drive pretty nice empty.

[Mossbeard]

I'm not sure how to tell if the coils are heavy duty, but it does have an odd leaf spring (more of a half-leaf) that should engage if the bed drops a few inches.

[earl84]

I don't remember where I found it, but the heavy duty leaf spring is thicker than the regular duty spring. Maybe it was in one of the catalogs from vendors. The leaf like thing is an overload spring that engages if you have heavy loads. I am guessing that if you have that, you probably have heavy duty coils. Those overload springs seem to be highly desired by some people, maybe you can sell them if you don't plan on using your truck for too much hauling, and buy regular duty replacement coil springs.

[kingchr]

Guess I am just lazy or something because on my old heavy duty 3/4 Chevy I just hauled 4-5 bags of bad (wet then hardened) concrete around in the bed when not loaded to keep the springs happy. Also left me with more grunt when needed but tends to look like sin...

Your mileage may vary. My buddy cut a piece of 3/8" steel that fit the entire bed floor for the same purpose.

[65 C20]

Learned something today.
I was under the impression that C10's had coils and the C20's had leaf springs.
My truck is rated for 7500 with springs.
If it was rated lower is that where the coils come into play ?

['68 Newtricks]

Is there a difference between a '66 and '68 C20? Aside from a broken rear shock mount, mine rode nice unloaded. SPID called for the HD camper special spring & overload spring, which it was. Maybe it's just shocks/ bad roads/ or truly a super stiff spring. If you don't haul heavy loads (over that 400# load) then going to a C10 spring would be pretty easy.