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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Posts: 16
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Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I'm interested in buying a 67-72 truck but I'm concerned about the swing arm/coil spring rear suspension versus the much rarer, for these years, leaf spring for towing. I'd rather have the 67-72, the 73+ trucks look to modern for me, but being able to tow this trailer is a must and I need the truck to have the ability to tow it safely. The trailer is an open type, total trailer & car weight is 7K. I'll be installing a gen 3 engine so I know I'm not limited on power, just very concerned about truck and rear suspension. Any thoughts?
TIA |
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#2 |
Hollister Road Co.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 6,134
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Better upgrade the brakes. I towed a 6500 Lbs car and trailer and cooked the pads.
As long as you balance the load the coils will be ok. You can always use bags in the coils for added lift. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Posts: 16
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I should've menitoned. Brakes & rear load bags, definitely.
But really what I'm after is I have know idea about the swing arm design and whether it is better or worse than the leaf design for towing. The only argument I've heard FOR the swing arm is that they were probably more expensive than the traditional leaf setup and that is the only reason GM went away from the swing arm. I'm really having a tough time with that one though considering all current 3/4 & 1 ton truck rear suspensions are leaf, but I wanted to confirm or hear a strong argument one way or another here before I jumped into this deal. As crazy as this may sound I've listed my 04 Duramax for sale, I don't drive it everyday anymore, and I want something smaller but still able to pull my trailer, and I like the styling of the 67-72 trucks. Thanks guys |
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#4 |
Big Red - Now its a SWB!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oroville, Ca
Posts: 1,624
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Welcome to the board. If you're concerned about the strenth there are plenty of aftermarket companies that sell tubular control arms that are stronger than the stock 40 year old ones. you can also get reinforcement brackets from lmc or use a 3/4 version that is a little beefier. I would suggest swaping the coils for 2600 lb air bags that way you can adjust for load. Good luck!
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68 3/4 ton ![]() ![]() 41 3/4 ton ![]() 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 2,696
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I know where you can get an auxiliary leaf setup for the coil spring trucks (G60 option code...). It's another route to consider
![]() I don't know how much extra weight the auxiliary leafs are good for, but they look pretty beefy. Last edited by Jim_PA; 08-06-2009 at 12:15 AM. |
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#6 |
resident oilfield trash
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Lubbock TX
Posts: 1,465
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
You would be fine with the rear coil suspension. I pull a 6500 lb boat with mine
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1967 SWB C10 396/400 factory air factory tach (sadly had to send to a new home) 1986 Honda 70 Fourtrax 1991 Chevrolet K5 blazer 2wd 1982 Mastercraft Pro Star 190 Stars and Stripes 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 2011 Nissan Armada ![]() |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,813
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
There's nothing wrong with rear coils. In fact, putting my engineer hat on for a minute, I'd argue that it is structurally stronger: the trailing arms take the pushing/pulling loads and the coil springs + dampers can focus on purely vertical loads. I think the only drawback is that the panhard bar doesn't keep the rear axle centered as the suspension travels through its range of motion. However the panhard bar is better for cornering because it transfers the load from the axle directly to the frame, without trying to twist the leaves that are also supporting the vertical load. The leaf suspension is also cheaper, and provides less unsprung weight, but I think that both these points are moot on a towing vehicle.
Either way, you'll be fine. A good brakes, good springs + dampers, and good bushings and you should be all set.
__________________
Jason M. @argonaut62 1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise 1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly 1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 1996 Ford Bronco XLT 1980 Jeep Wagoneer 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2005 Honda RC51 1981 Honda CB750C No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble! Last edited by argonaut; 08-06-2009 at 01:28 AM. |
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#8 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I have towed a Massey Ferguson 135 with a 6 foot Bush Hog with my 350/350 chevy 69 with no problems. I think total weight would be about the 6500-7000. I have the stock trailing arm suspension and shocks and drums all around. You just have to watch the stops because of the weight involved.
If you intend to beef it up a little, you shouldn't have any problems. |
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#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I too think that either would be fine for towing, however a positive for the leaf springs is that there is a natural anti-roll characteristic with them since you have to twist the leafs to get body roll. The coil springs don't have this "feature". You can always add an anti-sway bar though. Also, this assumes the bushings on the leaf springs are good.
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#10 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
the main thing you need to do is make sure the bushings on the trailing arm rear are all good. If you plan to tow that much all the time, then you need to look into a 3/4 ton (coils were still standard on the chevy) Again, if doing this kind of work all the time, I would recomend poly bushings.
Both coil and leaf were rated for the same payloads and towing rate, so that is not a real issue, it's the handeling aspect of them that is what we are talking about. |
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#11 |
Lemme show you something!!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: St.Helens, OR.
Posts: 876
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
As Longhorn Man said: both suspension setups will work fine as long as they are in good mechanical condition. If you go with 1/2 ton- then adding helper bags or overloads would be a good idea. The brakes are a limiting factor in these trucks. An upgrade in this dept. is crucial. Also, I don't know if you have brakes on the trailer, but if you don't I would look into installing either electric or hydraulic surge brakes to assist in stopping.
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'67 CST-10 LWB ("Crusty") SOLD '67 GMC SWB ("Murdock") 2000 K1500 Suburban ("Betty") '95 BMW 325i ("Joy") |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,271
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I pulled two sets of 3/4 ton trailing arms off of longbeds at the wrecking yards as they are plated up and way beefier than the 1/2 ton arms. You can purchase a 1/2 ton and add the bracing to the trailing arms and add the 3/4 ton coils and have the 1/2 ton truck w/3/4 ton towing capabilities. I'd definately put new springs, and trailing arm bushings and urethane for sure. Add a rear sway bar and you are ready to haul. A diesel would be a nice upgrade to the 67-72 a 6.2 or 6.5 drops right in!
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Posts: 16
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Posts: 16
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Great info.!
Every post has been exactly what I’ve been looking for and I appreciate you guys taking the time to reply. Sounds like I'm going to be at the upper limit, weight wise, of what some of you have mentioned you’ve pulled before, I just hope the rig is safe like this at highway speeds, 70-75 mph. There’s trailering to the track safely, and then there’s just dragging it there with white knuckles. I don’t want to be the latter. Reading through the responses and noticing the other vehicles in y'alls signatures you guys look to have some fun toys! I also noticed that ackattack had a 99 FRC, that’s actually what I use my truck to pull...it’s just the trailer itself that is extremely heavy. I'm looking for a 67-72 2WD shortstep and I’ve put together the following list of parts to ensure the truck is as safe as possible: LQ4/4L80E New suspension bushings 4 wheel discs Load bags in the rear Coil springs, Adj. Panhard, Shk. Mount Locators, Bilsteins Moog front end rebuild kit: inner & outer rod ends & adj sleeves, U&L ball joints and control arm shafts, idler & pitman arms HD rear trailing arms with bushings F&R sway bars Looks like these companies have pretty comparable prices and similar selections: Early Classic Classic Parts Classic Performance, seems to really concentrate on suspension & brakes Am I missing anything in that list? Do those suppliers have a good following and quality parts? Any others I should look into or parts to consider? Thanks again guys! |
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#15 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I eould get a long wheel base personally. I've towed with both, and the longer trucks just do a better job.
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#16 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA
Posts: 4,618
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Quote:
Been there, done that.
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2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6 |
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#17 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,813
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I agree. While short bed trucks are sweet, especially when going to the track there is no end to junk you want to bring with you, and a long/fleetside bed will give you more space to put it all.
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__________________
Jason M. @argonaut62 1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise 1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly 1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 1996 Ford Bronco XLT 1980 Jeep Wagoneer 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2005 Honda RC51 1981 Honda CB750C No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble! |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Posts: 16
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Here's what I've found on wheelbase length:
1967 The 6 1/2 foot short box C10 wheelbase was 115 inches The 8' C10 & C20 was 127 inches The C30 9' was 133 inch wheelbase. Chevrolet introduced another model in 1970, the C20 Longhorn. It was built on the 133 inch wheelbase and featured an 8 1/2 foot box So to sum it up, if this info. is accurate, you gain 1' of WB between SWB & LWB, C10/20 and another 6" between C10/20 LWB and 1 ton and heavier duty suspension as the tonage increases. Just for comparisons sake here is some info. on the 1995 model C/K trucks SWB 117.5 SC/LB 131.5 EC/SB 141.5 EC/LB 155.5 After reading the replies and doing some more looking around I also found another thread on something similar from Jan of this year a few minutes ago, I will go out on a limb to say this, and I guess let the flaming begin, but drivers of the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks seem to be better prepared to tow their load than the 1/2 ton guys. It seems that most 1/2 ton guys aren't using trailer brakes, really don't have their trucks prepared to haul b/c that probably wasn't their primary reason for purchasing, but the ones that are, seem to be doing ok. Obviously weight distribution and tongue weight are the name of the game, but if hauling a car, thats as easy as finding the sweet spot on the trailer, marking a ref. point and then always repeat, make changes on placement based on payload weight. Obviously I'm trying to keep myself talked into a SWB for pulling my race car, but... ![]() |
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#19 |
Hand Crafted C-10
![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 5,180
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I personally would aim at a '71-72 3/4 Ton GMC.
If you like the looks of a Chevy, change the nose. And, I agree, a long bed tows far better.
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Posts: 16
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
I found this too.
Per a 1977 issue of N.A.D.A Used Car Guide:- 1972 Ship Weight C10 - Pickup Stepside 6/12' ............3560 " " FleetSide 6 1/2' ........................3630 " " Stepside 8' ..............................3640 " " Fleetside 8' ............................. 3720 C20 - " " Stepside 8' ......................3940 " " Fleetside 8' ..............................4030 " " Longhorn 8 1/2' .........................3950 The ship weight is defined as the shipping weight less fuel, coolant and lubricants. weights per gallon ( lbs per gallon) fuel - 6; oil - 7; water 8. 1968 GM Restoration Guide Curb Weight No Rear Bumper heaviest entry, each class... C10 SWB 3640 lb CE10734 C10 LWB 3745 lb CE10934 C20 LWB 4133 lb CE20934 C20 Longhorn 4195 lb CE21034 C30 Longhorn 4357 lb CE31034 |
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Quote:
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. Last edited by SCOTI; 08-07-2009 at 11:06 AM. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,271
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Get a 3/4 ton or if you are destined to have a trailer back there a lot, look into the longhorn, but then you'll have leaves vs maybe coils in a 3/4 ton.
Avoid CPP as per the review board, customer service, not so much! |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Charles City IA
Posts: 1,626
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Um, chevy's had the coils, GMC's had leaves. I think our 67 C20 would be great at hauling a lot. I know my grandpa's C2500 has towed a ton of crap over the years, and it's worked just fine. I would have no qualms about either a coil or leaf spring truck. I know our C20 has helper leaves that contact the trailing arms that act basically as overload springs. If you want to haul a car, and that's why you're getting the truck, i'd get a longbed. More room for stuff, and better towing manners, because there's more frame and wheelbase for stability.
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'67 C20, Under the Knife!, LWB, Eaton HO-52, Rear Coil Springs 72' GMC C2500, 350, TH400(?), Dana 60 '67 K10 4-spd., 305, SM465, Dana 44, 12 Bolt, RUST! '65 C60 292, 4 spd, 2 spd Rearend, 15' Grain Box, MINT! 09 Yukon Denali 82k Miles 6.2L/6A |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,271
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
Well, technically they both had both, leaves more common on GMC's but they got coils and chevies got leaves. Some 3/4 ton and I believe all one ton C30's had leaves though.
Last edited by 70rs/ss; 08-07-2009 at 12:56 PM. |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Posts: 16
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Re: Swing Arm or Leaf Spring for towing?
More looking around...
A friend of mine I go to the track with has a Yukon Denali, the short one, Tahoe length, that he pulls his enclosed with and a 98 trans am inside. Here are the specs: 2004 Tahoe overall length (inches): 198.9 overall width (inches): 78.9 overall height (inches): 76.5 ground clearance (inches): 8.4 wheelbase (inches): 116 front track (inches): 65 rear track (inches): 66 curb to curb turning circle (feet): 38.3 |
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67-72 leaf spring, coil spring, towing |
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