Stock coil spring question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**ScottH** · 10-30-2002, 11:12 AM

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in front coil springs between trucks with 6 cyl vs 8 cyl vs 8 cyl/ac? Thanks.

yellowgmc · 10-30-2002, 12:30 PM

i know theres a diff between small and big block v8s.

**ScottH** · 10-31-2002, 10:21 AM

ttt

bigvinnie · 10-31-2002, 09:51 PM

yeah there's a difference in the thickness of the steel rod used.... I did a 6 to smallbolck swap and the truck sat about an inch lower, which was ok but the springs were too weak, not stiff enough to provide decent stability.

*Fast68Chevy* · 10-31-2002, 10:37 PM

actual load rating of them are same according to GM specs info,

std and then optional HD higher load rating up front by 100lbs, check it out in the specs sheets

crazy longhorn · 11-01-2002, 05:28 PM

According to my local spring shop, the 6 cyl springs are lighter than the small block pcs. The info I was given was for aftermarket springs, but I was told they listed 3 different rate springs.......he sold me the lightest set(listed for 6 cyl), to cut down as they get effectively stiffer when they are shortened. Dunno what the GM spec says.......crazy AL

**GMCPaul** · 11-02-2002, 03:36 AM

Fast68Chevy is correct there was no difference at all between factory 6 cylinder front springs and factory small block V-8 springs they both received the same part # spring with exactly the same spring rate and height.
GMCPaul

*Fast68Chevy* · 11-10-2002, 03:41 AM

GM specs sheets say they are same

Canada20 · 11-18-2002, 02:53 PM

So would the HD 6-cyl springs be the same as the BB springs? Thanks,

Greg

*rustedchevy* · 01-24-2003, 08:57 PM

doubt it, probably would be the 100lbs heavier ones, HD ones

Canada20 · 01-24-2003, 11:13 PM

So they'd be even heavier than the standard BB ones? I'm getting a frontend from a '71 Longhorn tomorrow so I wonder which will be higher rate?

Thanks!

Greg

*rustedchevy* · 01-24-2003, 11:15 PM

longhorn are on 1 ton chassis, and whether are HD or not wil be indicated on SPID label by either having HD rear springs listed or not lsited on the label, the weight ratings are listed in specs sheets

good luck Greg

Canada20 · 01-25-2003, 06:17 PM

Thanks for the reply!

Not to sound out of it or anything, but what's a SPID label? And which spec sheets should I be looking for? Seems kind od amusing that I might want to keep the springs out of my C20 with a 6 cyl because the BB springs from a C30 were lighter duty.....

Greg

10-30-2002, 11:12 AM	#1
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Stock coil spring question Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in front coil springs between trucks with 6 cyl vs 8 cyl vs 8 cyl/ac? Thanks.

10-30-2002, 12:30 PM	#2
yellowgmc Getting cabin fever?!?!?! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: chisholm, mn Posts: 1,679	i know theres a diff between small and big block v8s. __________________ Member of the Discs Up Front Club 1972 GMC 1500 1994 F-150 XL 4x4 Tact is for people not whitty enough to be sarcastic

10-31-2002, 09:51 PM	#4
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	yeah there's a difference in the thickness of the steel rod used.... I did a 6 to smallbolck swap and the truck sat about an inch lower, which was ok but the springs were too weak, not stiff enough to provide decent stability. __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

11-02-2002, 03:36 AM	#7
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,718	Fast68Chevy is correct there was no difference at all between factory 6 cylinder front springs and factory small block V-8 springs they both received the same part # spring with exactly the same spring rate and height. GMCPaul __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM

11-18-2002, 02:53 PM	#9
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	So would the HD 6-cyl springs be the same as the BB springs? Thanks, Greg __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right?

10-31-2002, 10:21 AM	#3
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	ttt

10-31-2002, 10:37 PM	#5
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	actual load rating of them are same according to GM specs info, std and then optional HD higher load rating up front by 100lbs, check it out in the specs sheets

11-01-2002, 05:28 PM	#6
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	According to my local spring shop, the 6 cyl springs are lighter than the small block pcs. The info I was given was for aftermarket springs, but I was told they listed 3 different rate springs.......he sold me the lightest set(listed for 6 cyl), to cut down as they get effectively stiffer when they are shortened. Dunno what the GM spec says.......crazy AL

11-10-2002, 03:41 AM	#8
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	GM specs sheets say they are same

01-24-2003, 08:57 PM	#10
rustedchevy Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: il Posts: 115	doubt it, probably would be the 100lbs heavier ones, HD ones

01-24-2003, 11:13 PM	#11
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	So they'd be even heavier than the standard BB ones? I'm getting a frontend from a '71 Longhorn tomorrow so I wonder which will be higher rate? Thanks! Greg __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right?

01-24-2003, 11:15 PM	#12
rustedchevy Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: il Posts: 115	longhorn are on 1 ton chassis, and whether are HD or not wil be indicated on SPID label by either having HD rear springs listed or not lsited on the label, the weight ratings are listed in specs sheets good luck Greg

01-25-2003, 06:17 PM	#13
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	Thanks for the reply! Not to sound out of it or anything, but what's a SPID label? And which spec sheets should I be looking for? Seems kind od amusing that I might want to keep the springs out of my C20 with a 6 cyl because the BB springs from a C30 were lighter duty..... Greg __________________ No such thing as a stupid question, right?



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