1982 C/30 crew cab 2WD front coil Design Load

[wbmoore]

I’ve searched but not found the answer to this: what is the Design Load of STOCK GM front coil springs on a 1982 Big Block C/30 crew cab ?

I’m installing an engine/trans combination that is north of double the weight of a BB/T400. I don’t want to install new coils that are same as the ones coming out.

I’ve found springs with 3289 and 3789 pound Design Load ratings but can not find out which of those numbers is the STOCK GM rating for a BB C/30 CC. Larger GM motorhomes come with coils with a 4289 pound DL which also fit but these might be OVERKILL.

Thanks.

[Axle]

I put the 1500lb/in front springs in my '83 1/2 ton, if I remember right it raised the front 2 or 3 inches over whatever spring was in it (with a 350). The truck already had the beefy 8 leaf springs out back (I suspect it had a camper in it most of its life) and leveled out the truck. Empty she would be a bit of a buckboard.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by wbmoore

I’ve searched but not found the answer to this: what is the Design Load of STOCK GM front coil springs on a 1982 Big Block C/30 crew cab ?

I’m installing an engine/trans combination that is north of double the weight of a BB/T400. I don’t want to install new coils that are same as the ones coming out.

I’ve found springs with 3289 and 3789 pound Design Load ratings but can not find out which of those numbers is the STOCK GM rating for a BB C/30 CC. Larger GM motorhomes come with coils with a 4289 pound DL which also fit but these might be OVERKILL.

Thanks.

Sounds like a compound-turbo Cummins swap. I would bet the motorhome chassis coils are your searching point.

[mMad Dawg]

On these trucks there are 2 descriptions for the springs. A 1/2 ton could be ordered with the regular or light duty springs or with heavy duty springs. The heavy duty springs normally came on a 3/4 ton. Other than that I was not aware there was a weight rating on them although a 1 ton would probably be heavier yet. That probably explains the 3 weight ratings. Hope this helps. Gord

[Axle]

A few different rates. For leaf springs, measure the pack thickness to have a good idea of what spring your truck currently has installed as there are multiple springs with the same number of leaves but different weight ratings. And your front springs kinda have to be matched up for a decent ride. If the front is too stiff and the rear is all bouncy makes for a terrible handling truck. The other way around isn't as bad. I think I grabbed the screen shots from trucksprings dot com. I do not have a coil spring list, seems those are all click one to check the specs rather than a concise list.

Attached is rear leaf spring list. P.T. is pack thickness. Measure carefully as an 1/8" makes a difference. And measure it where it is clamped to the axle. This isn't a complete list, or maybe its only whats available anymore over the shelf as I had 7+1 26"+26" spring on my 1/2t with 3 5/8 pack