How many leaf springs are originally suppose to be in the pack on the c10?

[Hazieview]

How many leaf springs are originally suppose to be in the pack on the c10?

It looks like the prior owner may have removed one or two springs. Wondering if I shouldn’t get some helper bags...

[Hazieview]

Would someone with a 2wd half ton be so kind and take a gander at their leaf springs and let me know how many there are? Thanks!

[70GMCer]

It all depends on what the truck is to be used for. 1/2T 3/4T etc.

My 83 short fleet has 8 leafs and is what they call The Big 10

Some of my leafs are broken, so I'm going to be replacing them.

I'm going to get 3+1 springs.

I don't need the bounce that I'm getting with the 8 leafs. Don't plan on hauling anything heavy in the future.

[Dead Parrot]

IIRC, my 75 has 7 leafs + the overload. It is the HD version that exempted it from having cats and most other emission stuff.

Removing leafs to soften the ride is a common mod. Might check the SPID in the glove box and weight plate in the door to get more clues on how yours was likely built from the factory.

A ~6200 max weight should have came with the 7+1 setup. If you add leafs to a light duty truck, make sure your brakes are the HD version or you might come up long on your stopping distances if you max load the springs.

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by Hazieview

Would someone with a 2wd half ton be so kind and take a gander at their leaf springs and let me know how many there are? Thanks!

My 81 C-10 came with the 3+1 pack.

[Pontiac1976]

Some would be 2 leaf +1 helper, would be about 1/2 with a 1/4 ton pay load only.
Some would be 3 leaf +1 helper, would be close to a 1/2 ton pay load.
Most of the 1/2 ton(c) would be on the light side with the 10 bolt diffs.
The (k) would be Med to light duty would be set up with more springs.
You can add springs but the ride gets harsh load goes up, But the rest of the suspension
has to be able to carry that weight that you up grade springs to.

[Axle]

My 81 has 5 leafs.
My 83 had 7 (heavy duty, load that thing with just about anything without it squatting).

Alex.

[Rich84]

3+1..1/2 ton. Had them on the shelf at the local spring shop.

[Mattchu60]

I have 2 short bed c10s - one has 52" 3+1 springs in the rear and the 1" rotors upfront. The other truck has a heavier RPO code and has 56" 5+1 springs in the rear and the 1.25" rotors upfront. So it looks like they could come with a few different springs.

[Hazieview]

Thanks guys! This gives me a pretty good margin of what springs I need. I was thinking that the previous owner may have removed a leaf or two so I was wanting to install an air over leaf setup. I don’t intend to lower the truck. I just want air bags to assist with loads while hauling.

Also, I upgraded the rear to disk brakes so I’m hoping that will help with braking while hauling a load. I’m only planning on hauling 6000 lbs max. I just want to make sure I’m hauling within the safety capabilities of my 1/2 ton. Thanks again!

[Hazieview]

Originally Posted by Mattchu60

I have 2 short bed c10s - one has 52" 3+1 springs in the rear and the 1" rotors upfront. The other truck has a heavier RPO code and has 56" 5+1 springs in the rear and the 1.25" rotors upfront. So it looks like they could come with a few different springs.

I wasn’t aware that you could get larger rotors. Are the calipers and brake booster larger as well?

[MikeB]

I don't know what year your truck is, but an 1982 base C10 truck had "3/1", which means 3 leaves + 1 overload spring. A typical part number is 22525 or 22-525. I have found this spring works well for hauling several hundred pounds of stuff + driver and passenger, and is not too harsh when unloaded. Probably doesn't work so well for hauling more than 1000-1200 lbs total or pulling a trailer.

A guy at Michigan Truck Spring told me that's one of their most popular P/Ns. Check out their website and also SD Truck Springs for more info.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Hazieview

I wasn’t aware that you could get larger rotors. Are the calipers and brake booster larger as well?

HD rotors are 1.25" vs. 1.00" thick for the standard brakes. Diameter is the same for both, so they don't stop you any better for everyday driving, but they do dissipate heat better when hauling heavy loads.

Spindles, calipers, and inner wheel bearings are different. Pads are the same. I think there may have been different master cylinder bore sizes, and possible different boosters, too. Also rear drums/shoes for the HD brake package are 11-5/32" x 2-3/4" vs 11" x 2" for base brakes.

BTW, I think standard brake codes are JB1 or JB3. HD brakes are JB5, JD3, or JD5. If you still have your glove box sticker, it should tell you which brakes the factory installed on your truck.

[Hazieview]

Originally Posted by MikeB

HD rotors are 1.25" vs. 1.00" thick for the standard brakes. Diameter is the same for both, so they don't stop you any better for everyday driving, but they do dissipate heat better when hauling heavy loads.

Spindles, calipers, and inner wheel bearings are different. Pads are the same. I think there may have been different master cylinder bore sizes, and possible different boosters, too. Also rear drums/shoes for the HD brake package are 11-5/32" x 2-3/4" vs 11" x 2" for base brakes.

BTW, I think standard brake codes are JB1 or JB3. HD brakes are JB5, JD3, or JD5. If you still have your glove box sticker, it should tell you which brakes the factory installed on your truck.

Awesome ! Thanks for all the info. I don’t have many factory stickers left. I think I’m running a 1987 Chevrolet 1/2 ton chassis, with a 1981 Chevrolet 1/2 Silverado cab, 1986 suburban front clip and doors. Lol. I’m thinking I will just run some helper bags to be safe. I also need a decent hitch because I’m running Suburban bumpers as well.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by MikeB

BTW, I think standard brake codes are JB1 or JB3. HD brakes are JB5, JD3, or JD5. If you still have your glove box sticker, it should tell you which brakes the factory installed on your truck.

JB1 is manual brakes.

JB3 is the lightest power system, and has the 1" rotors.

JB5 and above has the 1.25" rotors.

We built so few with the 1" rotors that I usually assume the person has the 1.25" version - and I'm usually right.

Here is the brake release chart for an '87, as an example:


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=510519

[bigblock73]

C10 would have 4-8 depending on the suspension options. There were also 2 different length springs.