Is coil rear ride really that much better than leaf? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Primered_69 · 12-01-2003, 01:22 AM

Doing a frame off with current leaf but have the available parts to do a coil swap. Is the ride really that much better?

casey · 12-01-2003, 01:25 AM

oh yeh, but can't handle as much weight

lukecp · 12-01-2003, 01:26 AM

Plus there isn't wheelhop like with leaf springs....my coil spring truck with worn out suspension rides at least as good, if not better than my mom's '01 S10.

**truckster** · 12-01-2003, 01:42 AM

I noticed better traction in the snow, too. I'm not sure why.

Longhorn Man · 12-01-2003, 01:46 AM

I notice great traction with absolutly no wheel hop, a great ride, and pretty good in the corners.
As for load rating...they are RATED for the same load as a leaf rear.
I would go with the coils myself.

Martin64 · 12-01-2003, 01:51 AM

My '70 rides much better than my wifes' '00 extened cab...

Hooter · 12-01-2003, 02:33 AM

Huh, then if they were so good why did chevy stop using them in 73?

sactoC10 · 12-01-2003, 02:34 AM

My 71 C-10 w/coils rides and handles nicer than my 2001 F-150.

casey · 12-01-2003, 02:45 AM

I had a camper on my 71 gmc once with coils, couldn't go over 40 mph, it was all over the road, they might rate coils the same as leafs, but there isn't any comparison as far as I'm concerned

Hooter · 12-01-2003, 02:56 AM

My 69 is a custom camper 10, it has leafs and I like it

Rooster's 67 · 12-01-2003, 02:57 AM

the inherent design of coils will perform in a smoother action due to the vertical compression of the spring. the leaf gives a rougher ride due to the perpendicular flexing load placed on the spring pack, and the horizontal movement of the individual springs in a pack sliding against each other,and growing in length as a load is placed upon the pack as a whole. the leaf spring set up will carry a load better due to the shear area availible to distribute the load (pack of 5 springs with a nominal length of 35 inches and a width of 2and 1/2 inches is 437 sq in of area) coils of course (with out refreshing my math) is obviously going to have much less area availible to give resistance to the load put upon them. If your towing, leafs all the way. Street driving,racing,quality of ride, stick with the coil set up(also has the built in traction bar or trailing link set up.)

Dan72cst · 12-01-2003, 03:12 AM

My personal opinion and thats all it is "my opinion".

I bet you couldn't tell the difference by driving them, I know I can't. I have owned both and the 1/2tons ride nice both coil and leaf and the 3/4tons can haul anything, but ride rough without a load.

I wouldn't waste your time changing from one to the other.

Huck · 12-01-2003, 10:15 AM

Classic truck did an article recently on the differences. I have 1 each design on LWB 350 trucks. I agree with most of the above except that no one picked up on the major difference and that is the placement of your suspension. Coil springs are suspended within the frame while leaf are actually mounted outside of the frame. this inner and outer mounting provides some very interesting ride differences when you do things like---go around a curve!! My leaf spring truck rides a bit firmer--even though the coil has HD springs and factory overloads. Take a look at the nascar racers and they have a very similar setup to our coil springs trucks. If you are looking for car like quality with racing like performance---coil. If you are looking hauling, trailering, truck like performance, stay with leaf as that is what was installed in 95% of the GMC trucks, 3/4 ton and 4x4s. Changing over is a job that I would not do to improve the ride--either way!!

*67Fleetsidedream* · 12-01-2003, 11:26 AM

My 67 rides like a Cadillac.......Smoooooooth

*Randy70C-10* · 12-01-2003, 11:30 AM

My GMC has leafs, rides like a truck.

VTKidder · 12-01-2003, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rooster's 67
the inherent design of coils will perform in a smoother action due to the vertical compression of the spring. the leaf gives a rougher ride due to the perpendicular flexing load placed on the spring pack, and the horizontal movement of the individual springs in a pack sliding against each other,and growing in length as a load is placed upon the pack as a whole. the leaf spring set up will carry a load better due to the shear area availible to distribute the load (pack of 5 springs with a nominal length of 35 inches and a width of 2and 1/2 inches is 437 sq in of area) coils of course (with out refreshing my math) is obviously going to have much less area availible to give resistance to the load put upon them. If your towing, leafs all the way. Street driving,racing,quality of ride, stick with the coil set up(also has the built in traction bar or trailing link set up.)

Holy Crap!

I've got coils with overload leafs on the back of the frame; smooth ride plus a little extra capacity if need be.

sactoC10 · 12-01-2003, 12:11 PM

Yes, both of the LWB's that I've acquired in the last few months have had coils with helper leafs...and both also had towing bumpers and towing harnesses. So it can be the best of both worlds I guess, with the helper leafs. Since the helper leafs are so common, I'd guess that they are a necessity if you'd be hauling or towing heavy loads.

**StingRay** · 12-01-2003, 12:33 PM

.................And if you ever want to bag your truck a coil truck is easier to bag than a leaf truck.

oldsub86 · 12-01-2003, 01:37 PM

I continue to be amazed at how well my old coil spring truck rides - much better than the newer vehicles we own or have owned. It also has the half leaf overloaders so it handles big loads pretty well.

Baradium · 12-01-2003, 01:51 PM

The '70 has the HD coils and overloads. It used to have a sway bar too, but my brother bent a mounting bracket for me which pulled the sway bar out of it's mounts on the A arms. It still drives really really nice, but it a leans a bit more than it did with the sway bar. Doesn't feel quite as crisp around the corners as before but I still think it's the nicest driving vehicle I've ever been in. Rides like a caddy too. Hauled a 400-500lb fourwheeler really nicely... I'm personally really happy with the coils for a half ton. In the higher weight ratings I guess it's not too big a deal either because they both have to be so stiff.

The '70 is a lwb fleet 2wd with p/s p/b (all original) with 70k miles on the clock.

What rating coils do you have?

There were light coils, then leafs which are slightly heavier rated,and then the heavy coils which are good for more capacity than the leaves in the half tons.

8.1PWR · 12-01-2003, 10:07 PM

My 70 is a 3/4 ton with coils on the back. I t has a large coil on the outside and a smaller coil on the inside side by side, overload? I don't if it's original or not. Bottom mounts are welded to the axel. I got the truck in 1980. I have seen these half length over load springs in one of the catalogs but they didn't sell the mounting brackets. Are these the overloads some of the guys are talking about?

12-01-2003, 01:22 AM	#1
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	Is coil rear ride really that much better than leaf? Doing a frame off with current leaf but have the available parts to do a coil swap. Is the ride really that much better? __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together)

12-01-2003, 01:26 AM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Plus there isn't wheelhop like with leaf springs....my coil spring truck with worn out suspension rides at least as good, if not better than my mom's '01 S10. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-01-2003, 01:42 AM	#4
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,875	I noticed better traction in the snow, too. I'm not sure why. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

12-01-2003, 01:51 AM	#6
Martin64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yuma, Az Posts: 477	My '70 rides much better than my wifes' '00 extened cab... __________________ Martin Gibson USAF Retired 1964(-ish) C10

12-01-2003, 02:33 AM	#7
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,083	Huh, then if they were so good why did chevy stop using them in 73? __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-01-2003, 01:25 AM	#2
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	oh yeh, but can't handle as much weight

12-01-2003, 01:46 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I notice great traction with absolutly no wheel hop, a great ride, and pretty good in the corners. As for load rating...they are RATED for the same load as a leaf rear. I would go with the coils myself.

12-01-2003, 02:34 AM	#8
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	My 71 C-10 w/coils rides and handles nicer than my 2001 F-150.

12-01-2003, 02:45 AM	#9
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	I had a camper on my 71 gmc once with coils, couldn't go over 40 mph, it was all over the road, they might rate coils the same as leafs, but there isn't any comparison as far as I'm concerned

12-01-2003, 02:56 AM	#10
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,083	My 69 is a custom camper 10, it has leafs and I like it __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-01-2003, 02:57 AM	#11
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	the inherent design of coils will perform in a smoother action due to the vertical compression of the spring. the leaf gives a rougher ride due to the perpendicular flexing load placed on the spring pack, and the horizontal movement of the individual springs in a pack sliding against each other,and growing in length as a load is placed upon the pack as a whole. the leaf spring set up will carry a load better due to the shear area availible to distribute the load (pack of 5 springs with a nominal length of 35 inches and a width of 2and 1/2 inches is 437 sq in of area) coils of course (with out refreshing my math) is obviously going to have much less area availible to give resistance to the load put upon them. If your towing, leafs all the way. Street driving,racing,quality of ride, stick with the coil set up(also has the built in traction bar or trailing link set up.) __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

12-01-2003, 03:12 AM	#12
Dan72cst Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lake Stevens,WA 98258 North of Seattle Posts: 833	My personal opinion and thats all it is "my opinion". I bet you couldn't tell the difference by driving them, I know I can't. I have owned both and the 1/2tons ride nice both coil and leaf and the 3/4tons can haul anything, but ride rough without a load. I wouldn't waste your time changing from one to the other. __________________ Marysville, WA (Dan72cst@hotmail.com) 72 4wd Blazer CST 350/350 72 4wd Chevy LWB 350/350 68 2wd Chevy LWB 327/400

12-01-2003, 10:15 AM	#13
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Classic truck did an article recently on the differences. I have 1 each design on LWB 350 trucks. I agree with most of the above except that no one picked up on the major difference and that is the placement of your suspension. Coil springs are suspended within the frame while leaf are actually mounted outside of the frame. this inner and outer mounting provides some very interesting ride differences when you do things like---go around a curve!! My leaf spring truck rides a bit firmer--even though the coil has HD springs and factory overloads. Take a look at the nascar racers and they have a very similar setup to our coil springs trucks. If you are looking for car like quality with racing like performance---coil. If you are looking hauling, trailering, truck like performance, stay with leaf as that is what was installed in 95% of the GMC trucks, 3/4 ton and 4x4s. Changing over is a job that I would not do to improve the ride--either way!!

12-01-2003, 11:26 AM	#14
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	My 67 rides like a Cadillac.......Smoooooooth

12-01-2003, 11:30 AM	#15
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	My GMC has leafs, rides like a truck.



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12-01-2003, 12:11 PM	#17
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Yes, both of the LWB's that I've acquired in the last few months have had coils with helper leafs...and both also had towing bumpers and towing harnesses. So it can be the best of both worlds I guess, with the helper leafs. Since the helper leafs are so common, I'd guess that they are a necessity if you'd be hauling or towing heavy loads.

12-01-2003, 12:33 PM	#18
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	.................And if you ever want to bag your truck a coil truck is easier to bag than a leaf truck. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

12-01-2003, 01:37 PM	#19
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	I continue to be amazed at how well my old coil spring truck rides - much better than the newer vehicles we own or have owned. It also has the half leaf overloaders so it handles big loads pretty well. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

12-01-2003, 01:51 PM	#20
Baradium Binder Rep Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Salcha, AK Posts: 1,506	The '70 has the HD coils and overloads. It used to have a sway bar too, but my brother bent a mounting bracket for me which pulled the sway bar out of it's mounts on the A arms. It still drives really really nice, but it a leans a bit more than it did with the sway bar. Doesn't feel quite as crisp around the corners as before but I still think it's the nicest driving vehicle I've ever been in. Rides like a caddy too. Hauled a 400-500lb fourwheeler really nicely... I'm personally really happy with the coils for a half ton. In the higher weight ratings I guess it's not too big a deal either because they both have to be so stiff. The '70 is a lwb fleet 2wd with p/s p/b (all original) with 70k miles on the clock. What rating coils do you have? There were light coils, then leafs which are slightly heavier rated,and then the heavy coils which are good for more capacity than the leaves in the half tons.

12-01-2003, 10:07 PM	#21
8.1PWR Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Green Valley, AZ Posts: 28	My 70 is a 3/4 ton with coils on the back. I t has a large coil on the outside and a smaller coil on the inside side by side, overload? I don't if it's original or not. Bottom mounts are welded to the axel. I got the truck in 1980. I have seen these half length over load springs in one of the catalogs but they didn't sell the mounting brackets. Are these the overloads some of the guys are talking about? __________________ 1970 Chev C20, 2wd, LB, 350 4BBL, muncie 4spd, 4:10 limited slip. 2002 Chev 2500HD 8.1L Allison, 4X4. 1996 Chev S10 Blazer, 4X4. 2006 Jeep LJ Rubicon

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