Why do many GMCs have leaf spring and not many Chevys

[bbadfred]

I was talking to a long time restorers and he was telling me that a lot of 1/2GMCs had leaf Springs and Chevys had coils. Is this a fact and and if so why?? I had thought that the cheap models had leaves but my 72 6 cyl 3 speed had coils and my 67 GMC has leafs

[68gmsee]

To understand why, you have to know that trucks back then were primarily for work. A lot of truck drivers were used to the leaf springs and did not like the rear coil springs when Chevy introduced them.

Another reason was that the leaf springs could be modified to carry heavier loads a lot easier than coil springs. All they had to do is add helper springs. Since GMC's were primarily heavy work trucks, they stayed with the leaf springs and introduced the coils as an option.

[too much stuff]

Leafs were standard on gmc and coils were standard on chevys. Gmc had more of a "work" truck reputation back then. However, either could be had either way. I believe the leafs would generally carry more load.

[mbgmike]

Many farmers back then did not want a coil spring truck. Thats why some bought ford. When growing up I heard many of them saying that they just did not like coil springs

[neba]

dont want to start a big controversy,but the only difference between a chevy and gmc is who sold it. only a chevy dealer could sell a chevy truck. if you had a buick,olds or pontiac franchise, you sold a gmc. made in the same factories,with most of the same parts. some years had different engines like the v-6. ive seen them come in with a chevy emblem on front and gmc on the tailgate. my 69 chevy longbed has leafs. i would guess its how they were ordered.

[69 longhorn]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Leafs were standard on gmc and coils were standard on chevys. Gmc had more of a "work" truck reputation back then. However, either could be had either way. I believe the leafs would generally carry more load.

What he said crazyAL