Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dusty4 · 10-28-2007, 12:23 AM

I like to avoid the $400 solution, when there is a $40 one that works out just fine. And I bet lots of you guys have found springs from.... what.... more modern trucks? cars? that give a decent ride and allow for a light payload, without spending a bundle. Talk to me, fellow junkyard crawlers! And pics are even better! Thanks, Dusty

lotussutol · 10-28-2007, 01:32 AM

I have heard you can use S-10 leafs on 55-59 frames by relocating the leafs under the frame.

tiggerstoy · 10-28-2007, 02:35 AM

ok...i know i think way to much, but i'v talked to others about this in the past, most think i like to work to much, others just think i'm nuts, but as far as im concerned, if you whant to use s.10 leafs and shacklemount's, no prob, if you whant to use 80's full size truck leafs and so on, no prom, "measue it out and make it work" is what i say....but thats just me

....max.

TooMany2count · 10-28-2007, 09:42 AM

heck I used one ton dodge springs & mounts under an old ford truck I put together. it just a matter of measuring everything to be sure they will fit & marking where the spring brackets go & bolting it all up. just be sure before u remove the springs from the donor that you measure how far apart the spring brackets are so u get the correct spring ride...joe.

Dusty4 · 10-28-2007, 05:02 PM

Thanks, guys, that's what I was thinking.... I could likely shove most anything under there. I was looking under my 77 Ford, and wondered "why not??" The newer Ford springs look like they would ride a lot nicer than the stock 56 Chevy springs. And the S10 springs sound like a great idea.

solidaxel · 10-29-2007, 09:10 AM

If you have a Jeep store available to you there hardware fits real good on these chassis, and so do the rear springs!

1-ton of fun · 11-01-2007, 10:39 AM

i thought i read something somewhere about dodge caravan springs, but i have not details or experience there...

55dude · 11-01-2007, 12:19 PM

does anyone have the length center to center on the hangers and spring width? that would get you close. it really doesn't matter what you use if your not restoring the truck to stock. guys change jeeps all the time for different uses so why would a old chevy truck be any different. just use some that have service parts available. if you want a decent ride get rid of the leaf springs and use a tringulated 4-bar setup.

1-ton of fun · 11-01-2007, 01:26 PM

stock springs are 2" wide

10-28-2007, 12:23 AM	#1
Dusty4 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 23	Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? I like to avoid the $400 solution, when there is a $40 one that works out just fine. And I bet lots of you guys have found springs from.... what.... more modern trucks? cars? that give a decent ride and allow for a light payload, without spending a bundle. Talk to me, fellow junkyard crawlers! And pics are even better! Thanks, Dusty

10-28-2007, 01:32 AM	#2
lotussutol Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Taft, CA Posts: 140	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? I have heard you can use S-10 leafs on 55-59 frames by relocating the leafs under the frame. __________________ Lotus Current Rides/Projects 1955.5 Chevy shortbed truck 1952 Chevy Coupe Deluxe car

10-28-2007, 02:35 AM	#3
tiggerstoy tiggerstoy Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: camrose Alberta Canada Posts: 416	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? ok...i know i think way to much, but i'v talked to others about this in the past, most think i like to work to much, others just think i'm nuts, but as far as im concerned, if you whant to use s.10 leafs and shacklemount's, no prob, if you whant to use 80's full size truck leafs and so on, no prom, "measue it out and make it work" is what i say....but thats just me ....max.

10-28-2007, 09:42 AM	#4
TooMany2count Who's in CHARGE?????????? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cahokia, IL Posts: 455	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? heck I used one ton dodge springs & mounts under an old ford truck I put together. it just a matter of measuring everything to be sure they will fit & marking where the spring brackets go & bolting it all up. just be sure before u remove the springs from the donor that you measure how far apart the spring brackets are so u get the correct spring ride...joe. __________________ Send a card to a soldier in Iraq My Music PlayList Large Marge Donate Blood,Plasma,Platelets & sign your DONORS CARD & SAVE a LIFE Last edited by TooMany2count; 10-28-2007 at 09:43 AM.

10-28-2007, 05:02 PM	#5
Dusty4 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 23	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? Thanks, guys, that's what I was thinking.... I could likely shove most anything under there. I was looking under my 77 Ford, and wondered "why not??" The newer Ford springs look like they would ride a lot nicer than the stock 56 Chevy springs. And the S10 springs sound like a great idea.

10-29-2007, 09:10 AM	#6
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? If you have a Jeep store available to you there hardware fits real good on these chassis, and so do the rear springs! Attached Images __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

11-01-2007, 10:39 AM	#7
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? i thought i read something somewhere about dodge caravan springs, but i have not details or experience there... __________________ 59 chevy apache 31 4x4 - my project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8668512 53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo 47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build 99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van'

11-01-2007, 12:19 PM	#8
55dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tacoma wa. Posts: 1,037	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? does anyone have the length center to center on the hangers and spring width? that would get you close. it really doesn't matter what you use if your not restoring the truck to stock. guys change jeeps all the time for different uses so why would a old chevy truck be any different. just use some that have service parts available. if you want a decent ride get rid of the leaf springs and use a tringulated 4-bar setup.

11-01-2007, 01:26 PM	#9
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: Cheap but good rear spring ideas for 56? stock springs are 2" wide __________________ 59 chevy apache 31 4x4 - my project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8668512 53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo 47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build 99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van'



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