72 C10 payload

[bullmecha]

Hey all,
Lurked around getting info here for awhile, great bit of reading I will admit. My issue is this, can I raise my payload capacity by getting different coils on my truck? I use it as a DD but i do actually haul loads most of the time. Maybe my originals may be worn out but I loaded it today with 1 4x8 3/4 ply, 12 2x6 8ft, and maybe 16 2x6 4ft. I was gonna keep adding but she squatted down to just below level and it is stock height. Any advice is welcome. Thanks and keep that info flowing.

[clay68c10]

There are heavy duty rear springs out there, as well as helper air bags that fit inside your existing springs, and the old stand by air shocks.
Do some searching in the suspension part of the forum and that should give you more information.
Welcome to the forum, lots of good people and info here.

[notsolo]

Short answer to stiffer coils is yes....Comes with a stiffer ride most likely. Replace with simular to originals and all the things, Clay 68c10 said....Welcome aboard...post some photos.

[HO455]

There were factory overloaded springs available with the HD spring opinion. The 67-72 version was a single leaf and the earlier trucks were multi-leaf. Using these or a helper air bag system would allow you to have the 1/2 ride with an increase in hauling capacity. These seem to come up for sale regularly in the classified sections or if your lucky at a local junk yard.

[bullmecha]

So that single spring in the first picture is something I can add to mine I believe. My truck had the leaf brackets on it when I bought it but I have removed one side already to add a frame mounted hitch. Might have to get that put back on and not use a hitch, or figure a way around it. Thanks for that info 455
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[Already Gone]

From what you staed your nedds are I agree the factory overload springs along with a good set of shock absorbers should work for you. I have the overloads on my truck and new shocks and I have occasionally hauled heavy stuff and the truck doesn't squat.

[WorkinLonghorn]

3-400 Lbs. of lumber should not bottom your springs. You need new springs period IMO.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

3-400 Lbs. of lumber should not bottom your springs. You need new springs period IMO.

Yup! I know a farmer in Idaho who had the bed of his truck (C/10) filled with grain. About 2 tons. It was riding on the bump stops. He stopped at the shop I was working at to get a tarp from his son so the grain wouldn't blow out too much. He drove that thing about 8 miles to his farm like that...at about 5 MPH.

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by HO455

There were factory overloaded springs available with the HD spring opinion. The 67-72 version was a single leaf and the earlier trucks were multi-leaf. Using these or a helper air bag system would allow you to have the 1/2 ride with an increase in hauling capacity. These seem to come up for sale regularly in the classified sections or if your lucky at a local junk yard.

This is what I have on my truck. We hauled a lot of retaining wall bricks and among other things. I think our record weight was 3500lbs in the bed. Not the smartest but it was all I had at the time.

[Steeveedee]

Then again, I was putting an addition on my previous house. I went to the BORG and got a ton of shingles and loaded it in the back of my '56 Chevy 210 wagon. I drove slowly going home, because the headlights were looking at treetops, and I could steer it with one finger (no power steering). The way we sometimes abuse our vehicles.

[da.slyboy]

I thought a simple method was to also replace with c20 springs? They are rated higher and will be stiffer but should be easy to swap out.