Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ozman3803 · 08-05-2009, 05:05 PM

I was just curious if anybody has converted to rear leaf springs. I've heard the leafsprings ride much better, better handling and less wheel hop. Is this the case with coil over with trailing arms. I don't know since I never have been able to drive my 70 swb yet. Any reason to keep what I have or is it worth vconverting to leafs?

LONGHAIR · 08-05-2009, 07:00 PM

Seems like you are working the wrong direction.....especially since you haven't driven it, to be sure that you even have a problem?
"Generally" the trailing arm suspension is less likely to have wheel hop problems than the leaf springs, so I wouldn't change for that reason. I wouldn't say that the coils are and stiffer as far as the ride either? so I wouldn't even consider changing....JMO though

ozman3803 · 08-05-2009, 07:12 PM

Yeah I was just going off somebody elses opinion to. Thanks for the input though. I was just wondering because I have a 77 pickup for parts and I want the five lug conversion. Just thought it might be easier to swap out rearend and I would also be able to get a free at least 3in drop flipping the leafsprings. Any other ideas out there?

**N2TRUX** · 08-05-2009, 10:05 PM

The only negative I can see about trailing arms is they limit how low you can go. Beyond that they are much easier to lower.

They can't be too bad if it works on the Grand National cars.

bmfpeterson · 08-06-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The only negative I can see about trailing arms is they limit how low you can go. Beyond that they are much easier to lower.

They can't be too bad if it works on the Grand National cars.

Not trying to hijack your thread but dose anyone notch out the frame where the trailing arms would hit?? or you might as well back half it?

Primer70 · 08-08-2009, 09:14 PM

You can buy lowering blocks for the trailing arm suspensions. This means you can go as low as 7" of drop in the rear with 5" coils with 2" blocks. You'll definitely need a frame notch / bridge kit, shock relocators & cut into the bed though.

protrash64 · 08-08-2009, 11:30 PM

I have one of each...leaf and coil. I think they both ride better then any lowered newer truck Ive driven. I think you can do a flip on leafs cheaper than coils, but neither is very difficult depending on your skills or friends

. I would buy the angled axle perches for the rear end swap to 5-lug and keep the coils. Your out the price of the perches and some brake work...DONE!!

dbmx66 · 08-08-2009, 11:41 PM

i would keep the coils

LostMy65 · 11-06-2010, 02:12 AM

I know this an old thread, but....
Could we get some more opinions on Rear Coils vs Leaf Springs?

Thanks

raycow · 11-06-2010, 06:33 AM

The only good reason I can think of for running leaf springs is that they give you room for 1 or 2 fuel tanks forward of the rear axle. That means you can get the tank out of the cab and keep your spare in the original location. I'm talking about a driver here with a stock suspension, not some kind of 4 link you might see under a show truck.

Ray

chevy_mike · 11-06-2010, 11:47 AM

If you really want to know how well trailing arms work for handling, check any NASCAR car or truck out as they are still using them. Coils will almost always ride better than leafs, just the nature of the design. Downside is coils won't haul as heavy of a load as leafs.

My '65 was a trailing arm setup that a PO swap in a leaf spring setup. I am gathering the parts to swap it back as the TA setup rides and handles so much nicer!

**LEEVON** · 11-06-2010, 01:40 PM

All other things equal, coil springs ride quite a bit better. I can't think of any reason to convert to leaf springs unless you're hauling big loads.

*stich626* · 11-06-2010, 04:47 PM

only reason new trucks use leaf set up is it's cheap.
it locates the rearend and is the spring, (less parts)
coils better ride but requires more parts ,
wheel hop can happen with either..

68GMCCustom · 11-06-2010, 06:13 PM

I had a '68 leaf spring truck and a '72 coil truck...parted the coil truck except for its rear coil suspension and '72 front end w/discs... and put it all under the '68.

m6z · 11-06-2010, 06:44 PM

Coils all the way. Why do you think the 2009 and newer dodge half tons use coils. The ride is much smoother with coils.

Ackattack · 11-06-2010, 10:10 PM

I just converted my project "No buck" to coils

Let me tell you, a 3/4ton leaf spring SWB truck is ROUGH!

08-05-2009, 05:05 PM	#1
ozman3803 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 125	Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? I was just curious if anybody has converted to rear leaf springs. I've heard the leafsprings ride much better, better handling and less wheel hop. Is this the case with coil over with trailing arms. I don't know since I never have been able to drive my 70 swb yet. Any reason to keep what I have or is it worth vconverting to leafs?

08-05-2009, 07:12 PM	#3
ozman3803 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 125	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? Yeah I was just going off somebody elses opinion to. Thanks for the input though. I was just wondering because I have a 77 pickup for parts and I want the five lug conversion. Just thought it might be easier to swap out rearend and I would also be able to get a free at least 3in drop flipping the leafsprings. Any other ideas out there?

08-05-2009, 10:05 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? The only negative I can see about trailing arms is they limit how low you can go. Beyond that they are much easier to lower. They can't be too bad if it works on the Grand National cars. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

08-08-2009, 09:14 PM	#6
Primer70 Superbad Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pittsburg, CA Posts: 153	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? You can buy lowering blocks for the trailing arm suspensions. This means you can go as low as 7" of drop in the rear with 5" coils with 2" blocks. You'll definitely need a frame notch / bridge kit, shock relocators & cut into the bed though.

08-08-2009, 11:30 PM	#7
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? I have one of each...leaf and coil. I think they both ride better then any lowered newer truck Ive driven. I think you can do a flip on leafs cheaper than coils, but neither is very difficult depending on your skills or friends. I would buy the angled axle perches for the rear end swap to 5-lug and keep the coils. Your out the price of the perches and some brake work...DONE!! __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

08-08-2009, 11:41 PM	#8
dbmx66 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA Posts: 883	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? i would keep the coils

11-06-2010, 02:12 AM	#9
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? I know this an old thread, but.... Could we get some more opinions on Rear Coils vs Leaf Springs? Thanks __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

11-06-2010, 06:33 AM	#10
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? The only good reason I can think of for running leaf springs is that they give you room for 1 or 2 fuel tanks forward of the rear axle. That means you can get the tank out of the cab and keep your spare in the original location. I'm talking about a driver here with a stock suspension, not some kind of 4 link you might see under a show truck. Ray __________________ Live more responsibly. Eat lower on the food chain. Eat vegetarians. Last edited by raycow; 11-06-2010 at 06:43 AM.

11-06-2010, 11:47 AM	#11
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? If you really want to know how well trailing arms work for handling, check any NASCAR car or truck out as they are still using them. Coils will almost always ride better than leafs, just the nature of the design. Downside is coils won't haul as heavy of a load as leafs. My '65 was a trailing arm setup that a PO swap in a leaf spring setup. I am gathering the parts to swap it back as the TA setup rides and handles so much nicer! __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

11-06-2010, 01:40 PM	#12
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? All other things equal, coil springs ride quite a bit better. I can't think of any reason to convert to leaf springs unless you're hauling big loads. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

11-06-2010, 04:47 PM	#13
stich626 Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: hingham ma Posts: 1,721	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? only reason new trucks use leaf set up is it's cheap. it locates the rearend and is the spring, (less parts) coils better ride but requires more parts , wheel hop can happen with either..

11-06-2010, 06:13 PM	#14
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? I had a '68 leaf spring truck and a '72 coil truck...parted the coil truck except for its rear coil suspension and '72 front end w/discs... and put it all under the '68. __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

11-06-2010, 06:44 PM	#15
m6z Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 2,466	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? Coils all the way. Why do you think the 2009 and newer dodge half tons use coils. The ride is much smoother with coils. __________________ Doug Looking for a 67-72 short bed driver.....

11-06-2010, 10:10 PM	#16
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	Re: Pros/Cons of trailing arm coil springs? I just converted my project "No buck" to coils Let me tell you, a 3/4ton leaf spring SWB truck is ROUGH! __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.