Picture Request: Leaf Springs on GMC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rmrtndl · 02-04-2005, 11:20 PM

My trucked was dropped by the PO. I am curious as to what the rear suspension is suppose to look like. How many leaves are there? My only has two per side. It is a '72 SWB GMC.

Could someone please post a good picture. Thanks in advance.

Staceydude · 02-04-2005, 11:35 PM

Does it matter if it is a GMC?

I have a 71 Chevy LWB with leafs.

Stock

Could snap a few pics... if ya wish.

Regards,

rmrtndl · 02-06-2005, 10:33 PM

A few pictures would be great.

My truck has three leaves on each side. Is this normal or are some missing? It is a 1/2 ton truck.

72MARIO · 02-06-2005, 11:52 PM

I have a 72 Chevy. There are 5 springs I am pretty sure thats a original spring pack.

Project1970 · 02-07-2005, 06:47 PM

Some are definitely missing...IIRC my stock leaf springs (long gone) had five or six leaves, but my ECE 4" drop leaf springs only have two full springs (and a pack around the center so they can use the stock U-bolts)

rmrtndl · 02-19-2005, 11:39 PM

ttt- Still looking for some photos please.

mr402 · 02-20-2005, 12:16 AM

Here's some pics from my 71 GMC. Front and back. Has 7 leafs. This truck did have a camper on it at one time so it may be beefed up some from stock. When empty it feels like the springs don't do any work at all. Might as well have welded a couple of rods in there place.

rmrtndl · 02-20-2005, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the pics.

The PO had done some major work on mine and I wasn't sure what was original.

chopped 71 · 02-20-2005, 12:26 PM

72MARIO · 02-20-2005, 12:46 PM

Hey chopped..

How much trave do you have before you bottom out ? and did you notch the frame ?

chopped 71 · 02-20-2005, 01:03 PM

I Have About An 1/2 Inch Unloaded. I Have Plenty Of Frame Clearence

68haywagon · 02-20-2005, 01:20 PM

Not to change the subject but are those rear disk brakes

? If so were they from the PO or did you put them on?

chopped 71 · 02-20-2005, 02:52 PM

I Used 94 Caprice Calipers And Roters And Made Calper Brackets. Down Side I Don`t Have An E Brake Anymore. I'm Doing Another Conversion With 96 Camaro Calipers 94 Caprice Roters And The Same Brackets I Used One The Blue Truck. The Camaro Uses A Pbr Caliper With An Inigrated E Brake. Hope It As Comes Together.

rmrtndl · 02-21-2005, 01:31 AM

Here are some photos of my leaf springs. You can see some have been removed. Also a box has been added. Is this the typical way to lower the rear end? Is this safe?

mr402 · 02-21-2005, 05:02 PM

I'm sure the suspension experts would be better at this than me but do I detect some crush on one of those boxes? I know I wouldn't run with them on my truck.

Huck · 02-22-2005, 09:49 AM

Can i buy an insurance policy on you with me as the benificuary?? ON the pass side, one of the U clamps is about to come off the box spacer---the box spacer can crush a bit and allow the U clamp off--care to guess what happens when that occurs? The entire axel housing assembly will pivot under the truck --you will loose brakes, steering and be at the mercy of the semi coming the other way!! Not to mention the obvious rubber brake line running on the exhaust pipe!!! Hey dude, got any kin we need to notify?? Seriously, suspension and braking are the most important part of any vehicle and you have some real safety issues here. My leaf truck had 3 leafs in it stock and i bumped it to 5 leafs with overloads but I tow and haul. Get those boxes out of there and go with shorter U bolts---they need to be good and tight with no chance of coming off. There are factory U bolt brackets that help to keep them in place to prevent axel shift. Good luck!

Fmspeed · 03-05-2005, 02:38 PM

My 72' lwb chevy had the exact same setup as first pic, i just figured they were added helper springs, but now i'm starting to think they may have been stock, i yanked em, the lower two are welded together, so they went to the dump together. By pulling these out, the truck dropped about 2-3 inches empty in rear, didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference towing, yet when empty sure rides a lot nicer, i may pull one more just to see what happens. as far as the last pic with the blocks and the 8" u-bolts, that is a definate "custom job" lol, any suspension shop, and most good part stores will be able to sell u the correct u-bolts for under $20, much cheaper than the life insurance i would want if I had to drive with those on my truck.

Brainchild · 03-05-2005, 05:10 PM

Here's a pic of mine,I don't know if it's original or not.Has 5 leaves in all.I figured it was original

rmrtndl, I would definitely get some shorter ubolts,,and get rid of theose things before driving it,not safe at all IMO.The rubber line that is rubbing the exhaust is actually the rearend vent hose,I'd figure tie it over out of the way as well.

rmrtndl · 03-05-2005, 10:26 PM

No need to get the insurance. The frame is currently up on stands. The plan is to get the boxes out. Neither box has any crush to it. The photo just makes it look that way. The reason I asked my question in the first place is that I was not comforable with what I saw either. Safety first!

As for the vent tube, it struck me as odd that the exhaust pipe wore through, not the tube. Hmmm.

Thanks for the advice and especially the photos.

Rick

crew70 · 03-06-2005, 12:59 AM

Man ,some of you guys need to get some new U bolts !
I saw a guy at rock falls drag strip and the guy bolted his nova rear end in with 8 bolts not ubolts . he took off and the rear end came right out and he went into the gard rail.on the nova the axal is above the spring so it stayed under the car but tore
the #%LL out of the quarter panals.SCARRY!!

Brainchild · 03-06-2005, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crew70

Man ,some of you guys need to get some new U bolts !

I haven't made it back that far yet,I didn't even realize until today when I took the pic it had airshocks on it

I'm doing a 4" drop in the near future,that should solve my problems

02-04-2005, 11:20 PM	#1
rmrtndl Hey ya'll, Watch this! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 117	Picture Request: Leaf Springs on GMC My trucked was dropped by the PO. I am curious as to what the rear suspension is suppose to look like. How many leaves are there? My only has two per side. It is a '72 SWB GMC. Could someone please post a good picture. Thanks in advance. __________________ Rick M. 72 GMC SWB Fleetside 25 Chevrolet Superior Series Truck 95 Mazda Miata 06 Dodge Charger RT http://ram92.ods.org/blog.html

02-06-2005, 10:33 PM	#3
rmrtndl Hey ya'll, Watch this! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 117	A few pictures would be great. My truck has three leaves on each side. Is this normal or are some missing? It is a 1/2 ton truck. __________________ Rick M. 72 GMC SWB Fleetside 25 Chevrolet Superior Series Truck 95 Mazda Miata 06 Dodge Charger RT http://ram92.ods.org/blog.html

02-06-2005, 11:52 PM	#4
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	I have a 72 Chevy. There are 5 springs I am pretty sure thats a original spring pack. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

02-07-2005, 06:47 PM	#5
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Some are definitely missing...IIRC my stock leaf springs (long gone) had five or six leaves, but my ECE 4" drop leaf springs only have two full springs (and a pack around the center so they can use the stock U-bolts) __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

02-19-2005, 11:39 PM	#6
rmrtndl Hey ya'll, Watch this! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 117	ttt- Still looking for some photos please. __________________ Rick M. 72 GMC SWB Fleetside 25 Chevrolet Superior Series Truck 95 Mazda Miata 06 Dodge Charger RT http://ram92.ods.org/blog.html

02-04-2005, 11:35 PM	#2
Staceydude Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: DFW Area Texas Posts: 436	Does it matter if it is a GMC? I have a 71 Chevy LWB with leafs. Stock Could snap a few pics... if ya wish. Regards,

02-20-2005, 12:16 AM	#7
mr402 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elmira, Oregon Posts: 449	Here's some pics from my 71 GMC. Front and back. Has 7 leafs. This truck did have a camper on it at one time so it may be beefed up some from stock. When empty it feels like the springs don't do any work at all. Might as well have welded a couple of rods in there place. Attached Images

02-20-2005, 10:53 AM	#8
rmrtndl Hey ya'll, Watch this! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 117	Thanks for the pics. The PO had done some major work on mine and I wasn't sure what was original. __________________ Rick M. 72 GMC SWB Fleetside 25 Chevrolet Superior Series Truck 95 Mazda Miata 06 Dodge Charger RT http://ram92.ods.org/blog.html

02-20-2005, 12:26 PM	#9
chopped 71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: GOLETA. CA Posts: 90	Here Is Mine With Leaves Removed

02-20-2005, 12:46 PM	#10
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	Hey chopped.. How much trave do you have before you bottom out ? and did you notch the frame ? __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

02-20-2005, 01:03 PM	#11
chopped 71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: GOLETA. CA Posts: 90	I Have About An 1/2 Inch Unloaded. I Have Plenty Of Frame Clearence

02-20-2005, 01:20 PM	#12
68haywagon I'm watching you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 1,822	Not to change the subject but are those rear disk brakes ? If so were they from the PO or did you put them on?

02-20-2005, 02:52 PM	#13
chopped 71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: GOLETA. CA Posts: 90	Disk Brakes I Used 94 Caprice Calipers And Roters And Made Calper Brackets. Down Side I Don`t Have An E Brake Anymore. I'm Doing Another Conversion With 96 Camaro Calipers 94 Caprice Roters And The Same Brackets I Used One The Blue Truck. The Camaro Uses A Pbr Caliper With An Inigrated E Brake. Hope It As Comes Together.

02-21-2005, 01:31 AM	#14
rmrtndl Hey ya'll, Watch this! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 117	Here are some photos of my leaf springs. You can see some have been removed. Also a box has been added. Is this the typical way to lower the rear end? Is this safe? __________________ Rick M. 72 GMC SWB Fleetside 25 Chevrolet Superior Series Truck 95 Mazda Miata 06 Dodge Charger RT http://ram92.ods.org/blog.html

02-21-2005, 05:02 PM	#15
mr402 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elmira, Oregon Posts: 449	I'm sure the suspension experts would be better at this than me but do I detect some crush on one of those boxes? I know I wouldn't run with them on my truck.



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02-22-2005, 09:49 AM	#16
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Can i buy an insurance policy on you with me as the benificuary?? ON the pass side, one of the U clamps is about to come off the box spacer---the box spacer can crush a bit and allow the U clamp off--care to guess what happens when that occurs? The entire axel housing assembly will pivot under the truck --you will loose brakes, steering and be at the mercy of the semi coming the other way!! Not to mention the obvious rubber brake line running on the exhaust pipe!!! Hey dude, got any kin we need to notify?? Seriously, suspension and braking are the most important part of any vehicle and you have some real safety issues here. My leaf truck had 3 leafs in it stock and i bumped it to 5 leafs with overloads but I tow and haul. Get those boxes out of there and go with shorter U bolts---they need to be good and tight with no chance of coming off. There are factory U bolt brackets that help to keep them in place to prevent axel shift. Good luck!

03-05-2005, 02:38 PM	#17
Fmspeed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 23	My 72' lwb chevy had the exact same setup as first pic, i just figured they were added helper springs, but now i'm starting to think they may have been stock, i yanked em, the lower two are welded together, so they went to the dump together. By pulling these out, the truck dropped about 2-3 inches empty in rear, didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference towing, yet when empty sure rides a lot nicer, i may pull one more just to see what happens. as far as the last pic with the blocks and the 8" u-bolts, that is a definate "custom job" lol, any suspension shop, and most good part stores will be able to sell u the correct u-bolts for under $20, much cheaper than the life insurance i would want if I had to drive with those on my truck.

03-05-2005, 05:10 PM	#18
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Here's a pic of mine,I don't know if it's original or not.Has 5 leaves in all.I figured it was original rmrtndl, I would definitely get some shorter ubolts,,and get rid of theose things before driving it,not safe at all IMO.The rubber line that is rubbing the exhaust is actually the rearend vent hose,I'd figure tie it over out of the way as well. Attached Images __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website Last edited by Brainchild; 03-05-2005 at 05:13 PM.

03-05-2005, 10:26 PM	#19
rmrtndl Hey ya'll, Watch this! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 117	No need to get the insurance. The frame is currently up on stands. The plan is to get the boxes out. Neither box has any crush to it. The photo just makes it look that way. The reason I asked my question in the first place is that I was not comforable with what I saw either. Safety first! As for the vent tube, it struck me as odd that the exhaust pipe wore through, not the tube. Hmmm. Thanks for the advice and especially the photos. Rick __________________ Rick M. 72 GMC SWB Fleetside 25 Chevrolet Superior Series Truck 95 Mazda Miata 06 Dodge Charger RT http://ram92.ods.org/blog.html

03-06-2005, 12:59 AM	#20
crew70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: shafer,mn,usa Posts: 316	Man ,some of you guys need to get some new U bolts ! I saw a guy at rock falls drag strip and the guy bolted his nova rear end in with 8 bolts not ubolts . he took off and the rear end came right out and he went into the gard rail.on the nova the axal is above the spring so it stayed under the car but tore the #%LL out of the quarter panals.SCARRY!! __________________ 70 chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 402ci crewcab 3/4ton 94 gmc 1 ton dually crewcab 454ci 99 suburban 5.7 2001 500cc ski-doo mxz 95 500cc ski doo fan 650 bombardiar 4 wheeler

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