Rear leaf springs

[rmc70]

OK guys, I'm kind of new to these trucks and I have a question. I have a 1970 GMC 1500 long bed. Why do some of these trucks have coil springs and some have leaf springs in the rear end? If I want to level the truck out and bring the rear end down pretty much even with the front end, will removing a leaf out of rear springs do it or what other options are there? Would like to thank you in advance if somebody could give me some answers.

[rmc70]

Come on guys, don't be shy.

[panhandler62]

Getting a flip kit to set the axle on top the leafs is probably better than stripping a piece of the spring pack out.

Pulling a leaf out will lower the rear of the truck, but it will also change the spring rate which will impact handling and load.

[rmc70]

Why does some of our trucks have leaf springs and some have coils?

[Mike C]

GM built the trucks both ways. As a general rule, GMC came with leaf and Chevy with coil in the 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. But you find GMC with coil and Chevy with leaf. All C30 trucks were leaf.

On my '70 GMC C2500 I used ECE shackles to bring the back down more level but not lose any towing/hauling capacity. On my current '69 Chevy C10 leaf truck I used a DJM flip kit. Draw back to the flip kit is you don't have a lot of control of how much drop you get. On my truck is was just over 7" which may be more than you want...

I have 2 1/2" disc conversion spindles and 2" drop springs on the front for the look I wanted.

You can buy drop springs in different heights depending on how low you want to go. Leafs are just a lot more expensive than coils so make sure and know where you want to be before opening the old wallet.

[chevy_mike]

Everything I have seen, Chevy came standard with coils and GMC came standard with leafs. Either brand could be special ordered with the opposite setup.

[rmc70]

Thanks a lot fellas, Your knowledge helps a bunch. I'll have more questions I'm sure.

[ksshane]

Unless you plan on dropping your front end as well. I dont recommend doing a axle/leaf swap. It just lowers the rearend way to much if your keeping the front stock.

For example. On my truck I have the 2.5 drop spindles and 3" drop springs in the front, and only the axle swap in the rear. The rearend actually sets about a 1/4 of an inch lower than my front end (measureing from the top of the wheel well to the ground). Granted my leafs are the original. So a new set of leafs will raise the rear end up a little, but not much.

[3757chevy]

Big Block Chevy's came with leaf, also.