Front suspension and steering questions
 

I finished the rear end swap and noticed it drives much better, however, all the little bumps in the road really create a jarring experience. Like all the reflectors in the road, just driving over them, you can feel every single one. Would new springs help with this? I just installed new shocks all the way around.

Also, looking at converting to power steering; the steering box is a bit loose. Defintiely want to tighten that up. And I want a closer ration on the turns.

Not sure if those kits for $700-$800 are worth it. There are cheaper alternatives, right?

On the 63 pickups, they only had steering assist, correct? Is it better to just add the original steering assist or go with full power steering?

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

The truck sits pretty nice, I think. A while back, I was thinking about dropping it a couple of inches.

If I do buy new springs, you think I should go with 2” lower front and rear?

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

You could get captainfabs adapter and a steering box - http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=332923

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Is it possible to just buy all these components from Rock Auto, let's say for a 1974 C10?

- Gear box (3-1/4 turns)
- Pressure hose
- Return hose
- Gear nut
- Pitman arm
- Pump
- Pulley
- Pump bracket
- Steering coupler?
- Tie rod end?

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

You need his bracket, but the rest of the items yes if the brackets fit your water pump length ect.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

It's a C20, much stiffer ride than a 10. The difference between my 65 C10 and buddy's 63 C20 was amazing, that thing rode like a school bus. If you want it to ride smooth, you need some weight in the back. Or, convert it to C10 specs.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

The C20's are sprung a bit stiff. But they were designed that way to be able to carry a load. You can put C10 springs front and rear and that will soften the ride. You can lower the tire pressure a bit and that also helps.
Jimmy

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Might have to look pretty hard for six cyl brackets for p/steering pump, good luck. My vote is to keep your stock springs. I like our C20s to look like the heavier duty trucks that they are.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

You have a 292 right?
If you aren't set on getting factory power steering brackets, there's at least one company out there that makes them. I got this link from another post on here awhile back: https://davisspeedequipment.com/

If you go with the 74 or so steering gear, you'll need a bracket that mounts the power gear to your manual steering frame. I think Captainfab's bracket will work for you if you choose to go that route (check with him on it since your needs are for a c20). Also a good time to install a collapsible intermediate steering shaft.

Like mentioned above, you could install 1/2 ton springs fairly easily. Maybe see if someone local is giving away a set of stock springs, install those, see how you like the ride, then if you decide you want to lower it, you can. I could be wrong, but I'm thinking the 1/2 ton springs might lower it a little in comparison to the stock 3/4 ton springs

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

As mentioned above, captainfab adapter plate then a steering box from a 72-74 I know will work. Probably even up to 78. I also used the power steering pump out of the 72. Everything bolted up easily other than the pulley wouldn't line up. I ended up buying a complete pulley setup that changed everything on the engine and now it lines up perfect. Just couldn't find one that matched what I had. I had a donor truck so parts were free. You will also have a steering shaft issue. Right now I have one I welded up on as a mock up but would suggest getting a collapsible one so if the unmentionable happens you don't eat a steering wheel.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Check your cab mount cushions. If they are all shot out a new set of rubber ones will help a little too.
I got these https://www.classicparts.com/1963-66...oaAo_YEALw_wcB

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

What I did was go out to a local junkyard and found everything I needed and got it all for $165. I found a '70 C10 shell with only block and PS pump and sector in it. I had to take it all off myself but it was all good! I kept every bolt, washer, clamp, bracket, pulley and even the original used pump and hoses for good measure. Most junkyards just need to sell and not worried about what they cost on eBay or new. To them its money for parts. Then some elbow grease, spray paint, some new service parts and it's like new. Once in it looks like it was factory.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

What tires are you running? Heavy Duty tires vs standard car/truck tires make an impact on the ride quality. 8-ply tires will definitely transmit more road surface 'feel' into the chassis @ their recommended max pressures for the loads they're able to haul.

Tire selection & air pressures can make a big difference here.

Coil spring rates will vary between a C10 & C20 but may not be that different. Without knowing what you have, swapping in new springs may not yield much difference.

If doing a steering swap, the Captain Fab bracket & full power steering would be the direction I'd go....

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Not sure why, but the truck is leaning to one side.
Any ideas?
Edit: 1-1/2” lower on the driver side.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Coils not seated the same. One maybe didn't seat correctly or could the be clocked differently?

Was the truck level/equal before changes were made?

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

I didn’t make any changes to the front, just the rear. And, I did not change the rear springs, just removed the upper mounts and re-installed.

Edit: 1-1/2” lower on the driver side.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Maybe you need a add a leaf/spring ,found this in my 63 I purchased

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

I wonder if one spring in the rear could cause the entire vehicle to lean to one side.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

ADD A Leaf/spring .I found this today while bleeding brakes

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

:no: I don't think this is a good solution.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

What is the expected end use for your truck? That may help us help you on deciding what to do.

I think that maybe the 3/4T is more than you expected, in a number of ways. Without discussing how it leans, etc., maybe you should consider a trade for a 1/2T? My 3/4T truck rides like a...truck, even with the camper shell on it, and actually not much better when towing a 6k pound travel trailer. 3/4T trucks ride like they do for a reason. I'm suspecting that you are used to newer vehicle ride quality and expect to achieve that. I guarantee that you will never achieve that newer vehicle ride quality. Not trying to be difficult, just giving some opinions. FWIW, one of my sons bought a new Canyon pickup last week. I consider the suspension to be "spongy". I used to race on mountain roads (don't tell my mom) and had made serious upgrades to suspensions on those cars. Soft wasn't a word for those rides.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

I know this is an old truck, so I am not concerned that the it is not comfortable.

I'm trying to determine how to make the truck sit level, and not lean to one side.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

In my experience, yes.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Yes. One corner being different/off can cause the entire vehicle to shift. It will/can be more exaggerated depending on the position relative to the issue.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

When you have a lean like that it could be caused by the front or back springs. What you can do is, with the truck on a level surface, put the front frame level on jack stands and see if the rear if off. Then do the same thing with the rear frame on jack stands to see if it's the front where the problem is.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Ok, I think I’ll try this.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

The distance from the frame to the top of the axle is 1/4” less on the driver side. Not sure if this would make a difference of 1-1/2” when sitting on the ground.

I wonder if the pan hard bar could affect this?

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Put something under the tires if you need the room (I use pieces of 10x10x2 wood stacked as necessary) & have full weight for your measuring. It shouldn't but can make a difference.

1/4" is not going to translate into 1.5" on the opposite end. That dimension is within 'standards' of a vehicle corner height.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

The measurements I took was with the truck on jack stands, and the axle just hanging.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

More info.
I think it is the way the spring sits in the retainer. Is this spring retainer intended to be
positioned a specific way?

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Do those springs look too collapsed with the truck just sitting on the ground?

And, will 1/2 ton springs work on a 3/4 ton truck? I am not planning on carrying heavy loads, just normal driving around town.
The Truck and Car Shop in Orange only lists springs for 1/2 ton pickups.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

1) Yes, they do.
2) Yes, they do.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Those springs do look pretty collapsed. I'd be worried it would sit too high if you bought new stock springs. A lot of guys (including me) use 97-06 Jeep TJ rear coils as drop coils on 1/2 tons. (ACDelco 45H2104)

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

What drop do these provide for a C10 pickup?

2” maybe??

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

4" I believe. And I see in my notes the ACDelco 45H2104 is a 653lb variable spring.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

I read a couple posts about those springs, people complaining of spongy ride. Not sure if that’s accurate. I wasn’t planning on a 4” drop - is that just the rear, or 4” drop for the front too?

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

Mine is 2 1/2" drop spindle front with stock springs, 4" drop in back with those Jeep springs. It's a short fleet and the back is very stiff. I still want to try to loosen it up with some different shocks but that will be after I get it from storage in the spring.

There is also a heavier Jeep spring. The ACDelco 45H2103 and the Moog 47939GB are 821lbs variable.

One of my biggest complaints about my truck is the poor (clunky/stiff) ride. The other complaint I have is not enough leg room.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

I think I’m just going to go down to the Truck Shop and see if they have the 2” or 3” drop springs for the rear. At least those will fit and all I have to do is get the right drop. The Jeep springs are not a sure thing, and if they are 4” drop that’s probably too much for what I want.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

That's a question you will have to decide for yourself - we all have different likes and dislikes.

Since you ask the question, people have been lowering vehicles since long before most of us were born. That said, I have never liked the lowered or slammed looks. The lower something sits, the more it looks to me like it's broken. I guess I'm more of an "original" guy.

Again I'm not saying lowering is "wrong", just that to my eyes the truck looks more normal at standard ride height. YMMV.

Re: Front suspension and steering questions
 

I’m not certain, just guessing that if my springs are collapsed, I’m already at a 2” or 3” drop. The truck does not look slammed, so if I can keep it about the same, I’ll be happy.