C20 Front Spring Lift?

[derotoreut]

I'm thinking about changing out my front springs when I do my disc brake conversion. If I put in new BB springs instead of SB springs will it give me a bit of a lift? I would like to lift it a little more if possible. Any suggestions?

[derotoreut]

ttt

[FirstOwner69]

I read someplace on this forum a couple days ago that the big block front springs are the same as the optional heavy duty front springs. If that's true, and if heavy duty front springs are listed on your SPID, you wouldn't be making a change. However, if HD front springs were also available as an option on a big block truck that could be another matter. My SPID lists option "F60 HD Front Spring" on a 350 equipped C20.

[70cst]

Its my understanding the BB Springs are the same as 3/4 T springs

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Its my understanding the BB Springs are the same as 3/4 T springs

I am wondering why some vendors list different springs for SB and BB. Performance Online asks if ordering for SB or BB.
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...-SPRINGS-PAIR/
I am wondering if other vendor's are the same. If anyone knows, about interchangeability please educate me.

[leddzepp]

I was told to use springs from a 1 ton dually from 80-88 (I believe) and that will lift your front end and make it level with the rear. Boardmember TX Firefighter told me this a few years ago when I was looking to do the same thing with my 72 C-20.

[jrb71c20]

I put some BB springs in my C20 and it didnt change anything. Bought some ranchos that were supposed to give me 2 and I got 4 instead. It beat the snot outta me down the road and was way higher than I wanted, took em off and they collect dust now. Didnt TX firefighter have set made for his? I thought I saved that one and meant to ask him

[sir_talk_alot]

thought about coil spring spacers? cheap and effective if your trying to get up higher.

[Beat68CST]

I'm curious also, since I'm puttin the Cummins in this pickup I know it's gonna lay over a bit with an extra 300-ish lbs up front.

[73CheyenneSuper20]

I'm interested in this too...
My truck is the one in my signature, '71 3/4ton, with a BB 402. I'm pretty sure it needs new springs anyway, they're 41 years old. I'm going to replace them anyway, so buying just the rubber spacers won't be cheaper for me. I've been trying to figure out if the '73+ springs from a 3/4ton will work. I've been trying to get specs on both mine and those. The Autozone website lists my springs as being 12.9" uncompressed, and the '73+ as being 13.607" uncompressed. It also lists the '80+ 1 ton springs as being 13.19". I took a tape measure to the junkyard and was measuring the diameter of the springs, and they all (mine, 73+, and 1 ton) seem to about 5 1/2". 1 tons are clearly a thicker bar. At this point, I'm leaning toward putting a new set of the '73+ 3/4ton springs in and see what happens.

I have the smaller sway bar on my truck, and the rubber is shot on that also. I'm going to go with the poly bushings. As my truck sags now, I have p265/70r16s in front and p265/75r16s on the rear. The 75's squeeze in perfectly with no room to spare. I'd like to get LT285/75R16s or ideally, LT305/70R16s on the truck all the way around.

I'm rambling, but that's what I'm thinking.

Oh, from what i did see, the 1/2ton truck with a BB motor uses the same springs as the 3/4ton.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by sir_talk_alot

thought about coil spring spacers? cheap and effective if your trying to get up higher.

I haven't really thought about it because I am planning to do a front disc brake conversion so I was going to replace the springs while I had it apart.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by jrb71c20

I put some BB springs in my C20 and it didnt change anything. Bought some ranchos that were supposed to give me 2 and I got 4 instead. It beat the snot outta me down the road and was way higher than I wanted, took em off and they collect dust now. Didnt TX firefighter have set made for his? I thought I saved that one and meant to ask him

That is because your C20 already had "big block" springs. 3/4 ton, HD, and big block springs are the same thing. If you have a 3/4 ton truck, regardless of the engine size, it came with HD springs. If you have a 1/2 ton truck with a big block, it came with "big block", HD, 3/4 ton springs.

3/4 ton springs will not give you a lift over standard springs. They are the same height....it is the rate that is different.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I was told to use springs from a 1 ton dually from 80-88 (I believe) and that will lift your front end and make it level with the rear. Boardmember TX Firefighter told me this a few years ago when I was looking to do the same thing with my 72 C-20.

I am curious to know if anyone has used different springs like leddzepp suggests to lift their front end. If so, please chime in and let me know what you used and what was the end result.

[benbloom]

anyone know where they sell coil spacers or some kind of leveling kit? for my c20 also

[Big Kev-O]

There are some spring options in the thread below. There is even one spring listed that is taller and the spring rate is similar to stock. My C20 is stiff, I would love to level my truck out and soften the ride.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556784