C10 to C20 leaf conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bam Bam 56 · 09-28-2009, 10:53 AM

Im looking for ideas here. What i have is a C20 longhorn i am restoring and a C10 that I have been using for parts. The rear leafs in the C20 are shot so they need replacing. I believe they had 6 leafs with a helper leaf. The C10 i have has 5 -leaf leaf springs. Is there a way i can just convert the C10 leafs by adding another leaf and a helper? And also what parts would i have to replace to do it. Any help is appreciated.

Bam Bam 56 · 09-30-2009, 10:47 AM

Just wanted to see if any one had any answers on this yet. looks like the shackles will bolt to the longhorn frame. just not sure what i need to convert them to 3/4 ton leafs

PowerPro · 09-30-2009, 05:42 PM

i was looking at a similar issue on my truck and decided to just go with an airbag setup. 300 bucks give or take and you are golden. This is for airbags just for the rear with no on board compressor.

capev86 · 09-30-2009, 06:07 PM

air bags are nice for carrying a load in the bed (pickup camper, etc) but i prefer just to have beefy springs as it is a much simpler and cleaner setup and this is a 3/4 ton truck anyways. if the spring packs bolt up, are the same length and thickness then you should be able to just add leaves and go. my dad added a 7th leaf on the back his 84 burb 2wd 1/2 ton by cutting down a pair of top leaves. his 87 (same setup) came with 7 leaves and it still could use an add a leaf with the trailer hitched up to get everything perfectly straight. perhaps you could adapt the springs from a newer gm truck....the leaves are thicker and much ruggeder looking. i know the aftermarket sells 9 leaf packs (2000 lb rated) for my dad's burb and you can also get HD packs that are rated at 3500 lbs....good for a truck that tows heavy loads frequently (the only way to go in my opinion). back in the 80's my dad installed 3/4 coils on the back of his 72 burb and i am putting the HD option units on the back of my 3/4 ton 72 burb. the ride is decent enough provided i dont go stiffer on the front.

09-28-2009, 10:53 AM	#1
Bam Bam 56 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Little Chute, WI Posts: 122	C10 to C20 leaf conversion Im looking for ideas here. What i have is a C20 longhorn i am restoring and a C10 that I have been using for parts. The rear leafs in the C20 are shot so they need replacing. I believe they had 6 leafs with a helper leaf. The C10 i have has 5 -leaf leaf springs. Is there a way i can just convert the C10 leafs by adding another leaf and a helper? And also what parts would i have to replace to do it. Any help is appreciated. __________________ Chris "Bam Bam" Shields Little Chute, WI 1970 Chevy Longhorn C20 in progress 2007 Chevy Vortech MAX - every day beast Project Longhorn

09-30-2009, 10:47 AM	#2
Bam Bam 56 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Little Chute, WI Posts: 122	Re: C10 to C20 leaf conversion Just wanted to see if any one had any answers on this yet. looks like the shackles will bolt to the longhorn frame. just not sure what i need to convert them to 3/4 ton leafs __________________ Chris "Bam Bam" Shields Little Chute, WI 1970 Chevy Longhorn C20 in progress 2007 Chevy Vortech MAX - every day beast Project Longhorn

09-30-2009, 05:42 PM	#3
PowerPro Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 68	Re: C10 to C20 leaf conversion i was looking at a similar issue on my truck and decided to just go with an airbag setup. 300 bucks give or take and you are golden. This is for airbags just for the rear with no on board compressor. __________________ 1970 C20 LWB Fleetside with a 472 Caddy engine! TH400 Restoration in progress 07 Yamaha 650 V-Star Custom 83 Honda V-45 Magna

09-30-2009, 06:07 PM	#4
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: C10 to C20 leaf conversion air bags are nice for carrying a load in the bed (pickup camper, etc) but i prefer just to have beefy springs as it is a much simpler and cleaner setup and this is a 3/4 ton truck anyways. if the spring packs bolt up, are the same length and thickness then you should be able to just add leaves and go. my dad added a 7th leaf on the back his 84 burb 2wd 1/2 ton by cutting down a pair of top leaves. his 87 (same setup) came with 7 leaves and it still could use an add a leaf with the trailer hitched up to get everything perfectly straight. perhaps you could adapt the springs from a newer gm truck....the leaves are thicker and much ruggeder looking. i know the aftermarket sells 9 leaf packs (2000 lb rated) for my dad's burb and you can also get HD packs that are rated at 3500 lbs....good for a truck that tows heavy loads frequently (the only way to go in my opinion). back in the 80's my dad installed 3/4 coils on the back of his 72 burb and i am putting the HD option units on the back of my 3/4 ton 72 burb. the ride is decent enough provided i dont go stiffer on the front.



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