71 c10 how do I stiffen rear springs without changing them, need to tow car trailer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jacquesdean · 01-15-2003, 01:20 AM

how do I stiffen rear coil springs, without changing them.

Longhorn Man · 01-15-2003, 01:40 AM

air shocks or air bags in the coils.

TERRYP · 01-15-2003, 03:42 AM

I put cheap air shocks on my '66 panel, stiffens up quite a bit, and lifts rear about 4" with 90 lbs.

Ackattack · 01-15-2003, 09:38 AM

I would go with the air bags.

*Gee_Emm* · 01-15-2003, 10:12 AM

You can buy these little nugget things that are made of steel and fit in between the bends on the coils.

**COBALT** · 01-15-2003, 01:39 PM

Those inserts don't need to be steel. There's poly ones and rubber ones as well. Just be careful to not overload your axle and cause serious problems with your carrier and axle bearings.

Mike C · 01-15-2003, 09:24 PM

Inserts can be dangerous as they isolate load in specific areas rather than over the whole spring. The best thing to do is the airbags, but you might be able to get a set of factory overload springs for your coils as well.

GMC Jim · 01-16-2003, 01:03 AM

I installed auto level system from a '79 Cadillac Seville, complete with compressor.. Paid $50.00 for all; including shocks!!! /// Have wiring diagrams for this installation if anyone interested...
When removing; keep track of wiring harness connections.... shpould be no problem.....

I felt the air-shocks that were part of the original Cad installation were somewhat light for the application ; so I did replace them with Monroe air shocks...Jim

Bilgewiper · 01-16-2003, 01:13 AM

Been thinking about air shocks for the rear on my C-10 too. Instead of filling both shocks with a one air fill into a tee.......wouldn't be better to have seperate fills for each shock to cut down on sway? With a tee, wouldn't air from the compressed shock push over to the extended one thus amplifying the lean/sway around the corner with a heavy load? Does that make sense? Or am I just rambling again?

Longhorn Man · 01-16-2003, 01:25 AM

I had air shocks on my 68 cougar, and never noticed what you describe...but I wasn't loading it with 3/4 ton of stuff either.

Southpa · 01-16-2003, 04:51 AM

I installed coil-over shocks, they sold under the brand name "Overloaders". Overall they gave me an extra 2" lift in the rear when empty. You could also look for the optional auxillary leaf springs that were available for rear coil trucks.

Blazer1970 · 01-16-2003, 08:55 AM

You are much better off to use the air bags that go inside the coils. The shock mounts were not designed to support a load, they are just there to damp the up and down motion of the suspension. You want the load supported at the spring mounts.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 01-16-2003, 09:56 AM

I have a used set of rear air bag coils for 60.00 if interested, no air lines or compressor.

casey · 01-18-2003, 12:11 AM

How about those over load coil spring that mount to the top plate of the u bolts and up to the back shackle, you can ajust the tension, I seen the boys from two guys garage on tv install a set they look easy to install and sound like what your looking for

casey · 01-18-2003, 12:11 AM

How about those over load coil spring that mount to the top plate of the u bolts and up to the back shackle, you can ajust the tension, I seen the boys from two guys garage on tv install a set they look easy to install and sound like what your looking for

casey · 01-18-2003, 12:13 AM

I hit the enter button twice dooope!

da-burb · 01-18-2003, 12:21 AM

The factory over-load spring made a huge difference in how my C-10 towed my loaded car trailer. They aren't that difficult to install. No idea what part of the world you live in, but $40 + shipping would get you everything you need but the grade 8 bolts.

01-15-2003, 01:20 AM	#1
jacquesdean Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Snead, Alabama Posts: 399	71 c10 how do I stiffen rear springs without changing them, need to tow car trailer how do I stiffen rear coil springs, without changing them.

01-15-2003, 03:42 AM	#3
TERRYP GYRO GEARLOOSE Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Nevada City, CAEverett, WA Posts: 361	I put cheap air shocks on my '66 panel, stiffens up quite a bit, and lifts rear about 4" with 90 lbs. __________________ Nevada City, CA Everett, Washington 57 3/4 rat, 235, 3spd 66 C-10 Panel, SWB. 350 from '68, 200R4 tranny, 3.07 rear ratio, restoring 68 C10 LWB 350 4spd, 4.56 rear dump runner 82 Camaro, 305, THM-200-R4 84 Monte Carlo 305 TH350, land tuna 85 Tercel SW, snow runner DISGRACED OUTLAW MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB

01-15-2003, 09:38 AM	#4
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	I would go with the air bags. __________________ 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

01-15-2003, 01:39 PM	#6
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Those inserts don't need to be steel. There's poly ones and rubber ones as well. Just be careful to not overload your axle and cause serious problems with your carrier and axle bearings. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

01-15-2003, 09:24 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	Inserts can be dangerous as they isolate load in specific areas rather than over the whole spring. The best thing to do is the airbags, but you might be able to get a set of factory overload springs for your coils as well. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

01-15-2003, 01:40 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	air shocks or air bags in the coils.

01-15-2003, 10:12 AM	#5
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	You can buy these little nugget things that are made of steel and fit in between the bends on the coils.

01-16-2003, 01:03 AM	#8
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	I installed auto level system from a '79 Cadillac Seville, complete with compressor.. Paid $50.00 for all; including shocks!!! /// Have wiring diagrams for this installation if anyone interested... When removing; keep track of wiring harness connections.... shpould be no problem..... I felt the air-shocks that were part of the original Cad installation were somewhat light for the application ; so I did replace them with Monroe air shocks...Jim __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

01-16-2003, 01:13 AM	#9
Bilgewiper Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Citrus Heights Ca. Posts: 186	Been thinking about air shocks for the rear on my C-10 too. Instead of filling both shocks with a one air fill into a tee.......wouldn't be better to have seperate fills for each shock to cut down on sway? With a tee, wouldn't air from the compressed shock push over to the extended one thus amplifying the lean/sway around the corner with a heavy load? Does that make sense? Or am I just rambling again? __________________ Ethan '71 C-10 LWB Cheyenne 85K miles. "Time spent Boating is NOT deducted from ones lifespan".

01-16-2003, 01:25 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I had air shocks on my 68 cougar, and never noticed what you describe...but I wasn't loading it with 3/4 ton of stuff either.

01-16-2003, 04:51 AM	#11
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	I installed coil-over shocks, they sold under the brand name "Overloaders". Overall they gave me an extra 2" lift in the rear when empty. You could also look for the optional auxillary leaf springs that were available for rear coil trucks. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

01-16-2003, 08:55 AM	#12
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	You are much better off to use the air bags that go inside the coils. The shock mounts were not designed to support a load, they are just there to damp the up and down motion of the suspension. You want the load supported at the spring mounts. __________________ Tim

01-16-2003, 09:56 AM	#13
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	I have a used set of rear air bag coils for 60.00 if interested, no air lines or compressor. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

01-18-2003, 12:11 AM	#14
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	How about those over load coil spring that mount to the top plate of the u bolts and up to the back shackle, you can ajust the tension, I seen the boys from two guys garage on tv install a set they look easy to install and sound like what your looking for

01-18-2003, 12:13 AM	#16
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	I hit the enter button twice dooope!



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01-18-2003, 12:21 AM	#17
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	The factory over-load spring made a huge difference in how my C-10 towed my loaded car trailer. They aren't that difficult to install. No idea what part of the world you live in, but $40 + shipping would get you everything you need but the grade 8 bolts. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

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