Question about the front Coil Springs! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67chevrolet · 07-08-2005, 07:00 AM

Hey there!

Question about front suspension.
Originally my truck had a line six, but i wanted a V8 so that's what i did.
I built one into my truck.
But now my front wheels look like this / \ because the V8 is more heavy than the line 6.
Does it help when i install heavy duty front coil springs?
If it does, are there heavy duty front springs that lower my truck but
keep my wheels straid?
The reason i ask you this is because i like the front lowerd but i wanna
keep the wheels straid. Are there any other options?
I tought about spindels, but i live in the Netherlands (europe) and shipping is realy expensieve, so that isn't much of an option i think.
Any idea's?????

Joe67 · 07-08-2005, 07:01 AM

The Early Classic front coil springs come in two varitions, for a 6 cyl/Small block setup or for a Big Block setup. maybe your front springs were pretty worn to begin with?

68C15 · 07-08-2005, 07:44 AM

these trucks have a nasty camber curve. (mine has a neutral one now)
try getting a good alignment. or a straight piece of steel to span the wheel itself. then use a magnetic protractor to do a preliminary set-up at home. this is how I ended up with only being off 1/2* from specs/

Putter · 07-08-2005, 09:55 AM

I changed from an inline 6 to a small block V8, and haven't noticed a difference in mine at all. I know that one is tired & weak, cause the front leans a little to the left, but it has been like that for years. Mine doesn't sit any lower either.

dubie · 07-08-2005, 10:10 AM

ditto for me. I swapped my inline 6 out for a 350 over a year ago and haven't noticed anhy difference. If anything it rides better now that there is some more weight up front

67ChevyRedneck · 07-08-2005, 10:42 AM

I took the coil spring front suspension out of a 71 V-8 GMC 1500 and put it in my 67 C10 that had an I-6 but is now a V8. I did notice that the GMC's springs were a little heavier AND had 1 extra coil. I figured they were 4 years newer and heavier duty, so I put the GMC springs in my truck. Like the others said, it may not be a problem with your springs, but maybe the alingment, or your springs are somehow badly worn

Longhorn Man · 07-08-2005, 08:07 PM

Look where the upper control arm bolts to the frame. you'll see shims in there. You need to add shims untill the wheels are like this l----l You may well have weak coils, but you can cruise with weak coils no problem. My old GMC had sagged about 3 inches in front due to 500,000 miles and it rode fine, only bottomed out a few times, and it was onto the bumpers, never the headers or oil pan.

Longhorn Man · 07-08-2005, 08:07 PM

(suspention bumpers)

fastwillie 696969 · 07-08-2005, 09:58 PM

no difference here either and im adding on 200 lb with the blower

**jamie72** · 07-08-2005, 10:16 PM

i thougth there were only two different sets of factory springs for these trucks 1/2 ton with 6cyl. - sb 8 or the 3/4 ton sb /big block set??
the 3/4 ton springs were used in the 1/2 ton that came with the big block..
hope this makes sense..

Longhorn Man · 07-08-2005, 10:56 PM

jamie...I always thought that too, but some one once told me there were actually like 17 different part numbers for front coils on the 67 - 72 trucks.
No proof though.

Dick Dale · 07-08-2005, 11:17 PM

Mine had a 6 and now an 8. Looks the same.

**Green Machine** · 07-08-2005, 11:58 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong but if the wheels are sitting like /---\ then it is sitting HIGHER than it was, thats what they do when the engine is out right ? I replaced the 6 banger in my 70 with a 283 in correct V8 front position and was hoping that it would bring the front down a tad, as it sits higher in front than my stock sprung 68 with 307, but I could not see a difference.

Longhorn Man · 07-09-2005, 12:02 AM

green, you have it backwards man

**Green Machine** · 07-09-2005, 01:19 AM

Check this pic out. The top A arms are much shorter than the bottom. As the front end rises, the top a arms get shorter quicker than the bottom A arms, hence the top of the wheel will pull in and wheels will sit like this /----\.

*newin72* · 07-09-2005, 12:29 PM

green that actually makes sense...

67chevrolet · 07-09-2005, 02:35 PM

I tought i wouldn't matter also!
I'va taken everything apart, cleaned and painted all the parts and after that i installed everything by the book.
Mayby i did something wrong?

Do you have any pics off your front suspention??

ratfreak888 · 07-09-2005, 05:36 PM

not much help here but fyi. i went from sb to bb and see no change

07-08-2005, 07:00 AM	#1
67chevrolet Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Holland Posts: 20	Question about the front Coil Springs! Hey there! Question about front suspension. Originally my truck had a line six, but i wanted a V8 so that's what i did. I built one into my truck. But now my front wheels look like this / \ because the V8 is more heavy than the line 6. Does it help when i install heavy duty front coil springs? If it does, are there heavy duty front springs that lower my truck but keep my wheels straid? The reason i ask you this is because i like the front lowerd but i wanna keep the wheels straid. Are there any other options? I tought about spindels, but i live in the Netherlands (europe) and shipping is realy expensieve, so that isn't much of an option i think. Any idea's?????

07-08-2005, 07:01 AM	#2
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	The Early Classic front coil springs come in two varitions, for a 6 cyl/Small block setup or for a Big Block setup. maybe your front springs were pretty worn to begin with? __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

07-08-2005, 07:44 AM	#3
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	these trucks have a nasty camber curve. (mine has a neutral one now) try getting a good alignment. or a straight piece of steel to span the wheel itself. then use a magnetic protractor to do a preliminary set-up at home. this is how I ended up with only being off 1/2* from specs/ __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

07-08-2005, 09:55 AM	#4
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	I changed from an inline 6 to a small block V8, and haven't noticed a difference in mine at all. I know that one is tired & weak, cause the front leans a little to the left, but it has been like that for years. Mine doesn't sit any lower either. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket** Last edited by Putter; 07-08-2005 at 09:56 AM.

07-08-2005, 10:10 AM	#5
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	ditto for me. I swapped my inline 6 out for a 350 over a year ago and haven't noticed anhy difference. If anything it rides better now that there is some more weight up front __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

07-08-2005, 10:42 AM	#6
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	I took the coil spring front suspension out of a 71 V-8 GMC 1500 and put it in my 67 C10 that had an I-6 but is now a V8. I did notice that the GMC's springs were a little heavier AND had 1 extra coil. I figured they were 4 years newer and heavier duty, so I put the GMC springs in my truck. Like the others said, it may not be a problem with your springs, but maybe the alingment, or your springs are somehow badly worn __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

07-08-2005, 08:07 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Look where the upper control arm bolts to the frame. you'll see shims in there. You need to add shims untill the wheels are like this l----l You may well have weak coils, but you can cruise with weak coils no problem. My old GMC had sagged about 3 inches in front due to 500,000 miles and it rode fine, only bottomed out a few times, and it was onto the bumpers, never the headers or oil pan.

07-08-2005, 09:58 PM	#9
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	no difference here either and im adding on 200 lb with the blower __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

07-08-2005, 10:16 PM	#10
jamie72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: madison indiana Posts: 3,839	i thougth there were only two different sets of factory springs for these trucks 1/2 ton with 6cyl. - sb 8 or the 3/4 ton sb /big block set?? the 3/4 ton springs were used in the 1/2 ton that came with the big block.. hope this makes sense.. __________________ jamie72 72 BB cheyenne -- Restoration getting started.. member #807 http://www.myspace.com/whitetailobsession www.antlertalk.com

07-08-2005, 10:56 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	jamie...I always thought that too, but some one once told me there were actually like 17 different part numbers for front coils on the 67 - 72 trucks. No proof though.

07-08-2005, 11:17 PM	#12
Dick Dale Excelsior, You Fathead. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Valparaiso, In Posts: 937	Mine had a 6 and now an 8. Looks the same. __________________ Go Navy. The Sea Is Ours. Budget 350 Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...38#post2264638

07-08-2005, 11:58 PM	#13
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Correct me if I'm wrong but if the wheels are sitting like /---\ then it is sitting HIGHER than it was, thats what they do when the engine is out right ? I replaced the 6 banger in my 70 with a 283 in correct V8 front position and was hoping that it would bring the front down a tad, as it sits higher in front than my stock sprung 68 with 307, but I could not see a difference. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

07-09-2005, 12:02 AM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	green, you have it backwards man

07-09-2005, 01:19 AM	#15
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Check this pic out. The top A arms are much shorter than the bottom. As the front end rises, the top a arms get shorter quicker than the bottom A arms, hence the top of the wheel will pull in and wheels will sit like this /----\. Attached Images __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

07-09-2005, 12:29 PM	#16
newin72 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: East Texas Posts: 545	green that actually makes sense...



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07-09-2005, 02:35 PM	#17
67chevrolet Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Holland Posts: 20	I tought i wouldn't matter also! I'va taken everything apart, cleaned and painted all the parts and after that i installed everything by the book. Mayby i did something wrong? Do you have any pics off your front suspention??

07-09-2005, 05:36 PM	#18
ratfreak888 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 104	not much help here but fyi. i went from sb to bb and see no change

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