C20 Leaf Springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

harley87ta · 12-05-2016, 02:19 PM

My C20 has 8/1 leaf springs there 3 1/16 spring pack thickness. I have a chance to get a pair of new 3 5/8 which are heavy duty at a great price. Is the ride going to be that much different? Any input you have would be great

74CustomK20 · 12-05-2016, 02:23 PM

How many springsd are in the new pack?

harley87ta · 12-05-2016, 02:35 PM

Same amount of springs just a thicker pack. Same configuration. 3 3/16 are rated 2600 lbs and 3 5/8 rated 3500lbs

Pano · 12-05-2016, 03:39 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=723734

This thread discusses a little of what you're asking.

Nodnarb76 · 12-06-2016, 10:50 AM

I have been looking into replacing the rear leafs on my 3/4 ton suburban with one ton springs. Does the higher load rating affect ride height?

harley87ta · 12-06-2016, 04:42 PM

I think the ride height would be the same. If your old springs are sagging then you would notice a difference.

Nodnarb76 · 12-06-2016, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley87ta

I think the ride height would be the same. If your old springs are sagging then you would notice a difference.

That is what I was thinking also. My stock springs are sagging a little, and I was afraid if I put the heavier springs on it, it would lift it too much.
Thank you.

Alex V. · 12-07-2016, 10:43 PM

When I changed the springs on my '85 C3500 I upped to a 3,900 lb.-rate spring (assuming what came out was the standard 3,500#) and stock application Monroe Magnum shocks are nearly fully extended. There's no way to tell how far the old springs had sagged, but it sits a good 3"+ higher now. Ride isn't a lot stiffer, but neither the 3,500 or 3,900 pounders are any semblance of smooth until there's 2,200 lbs. of the truck + at least 500 lbs. of cargo sitting on them. If you're concerned about ride comfort at all, stick with the 2,600 pounders. If it was a 3/4 ton small block truck I'd have probably opted to stay lighter when I replaced the springs, but with a 454 and FF 14-bolt axle I didn't want the truck dragging the ground before I even tested the drivetrain's ability.

harley87ta · 12-07-2016, 11:10 PM

Thanks for the Great information. Mine are the stock 2600 lbs springs. There 43 years old and one spring has a broken center pin plus worn bushings. There's a set of brand new 3500 lbs springs for $100 and there a 110 miles from me. I don't do any hauling but for the price of them I may just take a chance on them

12-05-2016, 02:19 PM	#1
harley87ta Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Sun City, CA Posts: 34	C20 Leaf Springs My C20 has 8/1 leaf springs there 3 1/16 spring pack thickness. I have a chance to get a pair of new 3 5/8 which are heavy duty at a great price. Is the ride going to be that much different? Any input you have would be great

12-05-2016, 02:23 PM	#2
74CustomK20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tell City, IN Posts: 637	Re: C20 Leaf Springs How many springsd are in the new pack? __________________ Big Nate Carp. Local 224. Buy made in the USA! 03 F350 6.0 Daily Race Truck. 79 C70 366 Project Dump.

12-05-2016, 02:35 PM	#3
harley87ta Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Sun City, CA Posts: 34	Re: C20 Leaf Springs Same amount of springs just a thicker pack. Same configuration. 3 3/16 are rated 2600 lbs and 3 5/8 rated 3500lbs

12-05-2016, 03:39 PM	#4
Pano Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MA Posts: 116	Re: C20 Leaf Springs http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=723734 This thread discusses a little of what you're asking.

12-06-2016, 10:50 AM	#5
Nodnarb76 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Mississippi Posts: 501	Re: C20 Leaf Springs I have been looking into replacing the rear leafs on my 3/4 ton suburban with one ton springs. Does the higher load rating affect ride height? __________________ 1987 R20 Suburban LQ4/4L80e swap: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693824

12-06-2016, 04:42 PM	#6
harley87ta Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Sun City, CA Posts: 34	Re: C20 Leaf Springs I think the ride height would be the same. If your old springs are sagging then you would notice a difference.

12-07-2016, 10:43 PM	#8
Alex V. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Campbellsville, KY Posts: 888	Re: C20 Leaf Springs When I changed the springs on my '85 C3500 I upped to a 3,900 lb.-rate spring (assuming what came out was the standard 3,500#) and stock application Monroe Magnum shocks are nearly fully extended. There's no way to tell how far the old springs had sagged, but it sits a good 3"+ higher now. Ride isn't a lot stiffer, but neither the 3,500 or 3,900 pounders are any semblance of smooth until there's 2,200 lbs. of the truck + at least 500 lbs. of cargo sitting on them. If you're concerned about ride comfort at all, stick with the 2,600 pounders. If it was a 3/4 ton small block truck I'd have probably opted to stay lighter when I replaced the springs, but with a 454 and FF 14-bolt axle I didn't want the truck dragging the ground before I even tested the drivetrain's ability. __________________ Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue.

12-07-2016, 11:10 PM	#9
harley87ta Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Sun City, CA Posts: 34	Re: C20 Leaf Springs Thanks for the Great information. Mine are the stock 2600 lbs springs. There 43 years old and one spring has a broken center pin plus worn bushings. There's a set of brand new 3500 lbs springs for $100 and there a 110 miles from me. I don't do any hauling but for the price of them I may just take a chance on them



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