Rides rough - C20 Custom Camper w/no camper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevynut · 09-22-2002, 11:13 PM

I just took off the camper from my 3/4 with the Custom Camper option and does this thing ride rough. I don't think I could drive it this way. It is like the is no suspension in the ass end. It definitely drove a lot better with all they weight back there.

I am thinking about either putting new leaf springs of removing 1 or 2 of them.

Does anyone now if the 73-87 leaf will work in the 67-72 trucks with leafs? I think my brother has some 3/4 ton leafs from a 78.

Any other ideas on how to get some decent ride from the rear of this truck would be helpful.

Spoof · 09-22-2002, 11:24 PM

I had the same ride with my custom camper. It was only really smooth with a cord of wood in the back and then it drove like a dream. Sorry I cant help with a solution but you could try removing a leaf.
Is that a longhorn or does it just look long with the camper on?

*Gee_Emm* · 09-22-2002, 11:25 PM

I took a pair of leafs out of my custom camper 3/4 ton and it made a BIG difference. I took out the thicker one of them all. It was the bottom one was twice as thick as the rest.

Mike C · 09-23-2002, 12:00 PM

My truck drives nice with the 7500 gvw rear leafs. Get some good shocks first, makes a world of difference. The large lower leaf is the overload leaf designed to reinforce the spring pack when you have a heavy payload. The newer springs will not work as they are 2 1/2" wide vs. 2 1/4" (this is assuming 8' bed and 2 wheel drive. 4 wheel drive and Longhorns got 2 1/2" wide springs) Another option are the velvet ride shackles by BF goodrich if they make a 2 1/4" version. It is a small torsion spring that replaces the shackle and the truck rides on this until a certain weight is exceeded. Then theis assembly "locks" acting like a conventional shackle and using the truckis springs. I bought a 2500 series truck just for its payload capabilities. You don't want to have to change springs or modify your truck every time you want to carry any weight.

Protrucks · 09-23-2002, 12:07 PM

I thought that all Longhorns had Coils did they make a Longhorn with Leafs

Quote:

The newer springs will not work as they are 2 1/2" wide vs. 2 1/4" (this is assuming 8' bed and 2 wheel drive. 4 wheel drive and Longhorns got 2 1/2" wide springs)

chevy2racr · 09-23-2002, 02:03 PM

ALL longhorns had leafs, none had coils, coils were a 1/2 and 3/4 ton 2wd option(Chevy, standard GMC) except longhorns and ALL 1 tons are leafs

*Gee_Emm* · 09-23-2002, 04:28 PM

Wasnt it that GMC's had standard leafs with optional coils and Chev's had standard coils with optional leafs?

hjalbert · 09-23-2002, 07:07 PM

fairly certain gmcs came standard with leafs.

72'BBGMCSGCC · 09-23-2002, 08:39 PM

I put the spare where it should be which helps hold the rear end down and put on Monroe Magnum shocks and she rides great.They cost about $130 for all 4.

dwaite72lnghrn · 09-23-2002, 09:03 PM

Be sure to air down the tires. With no load 35-40lbs in a 3/4 ton. It makes a big difference. If you go to a spring shop they might be able to put teflon or rubber pads at the end of the springs to let them move against each other easier.

conman · 09-23-2002, 09:58 PM

I took out two leafs on each side, but left the short helper spring in. It doesn't work until theres a load. It also lowered the rear end. And get a pair of good shocks. It rides great.

09-22-2002, 11:13 PM	#1
chevynut Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Tampa, FL. USA Posts: 171	Rides rough - C20 Custom Camper w/no camper I just took off the camper from my 3/4 with the Custom Camper option and does this thing ride rough. I don't think I could drive it this way. It is like the is no suspension in the ass end. It definitely drove a lot better with all they weight back there. I am thinking about either putting new leaf springs of removing 1 or 2 of them. Does anyone now if the 73-87 leaf will work in the 67-72 trucks with leafs? I think my brother has some 3/4 ton leafs from a 78. Any other ideas on how to get some decent ride from the rear of this truck would be helpful. Attached Images __________________ Mike 1989 C1500 SWB Reg Cab 2003 Chevy Tahoe Z-71 70 Camaro RS/SS - 454

09-22-2002, 11:24 PM	#2
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	I had the same ride with my custom camper. It was only really smooth with a cord of wood in the back and then it drove like a dream. Sorry I cant help with a solution but you could try removing a leaf. Is that a longhorn or does it just look long with the camper on? __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

09-23-2002, 12:00 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	My truck drives nice with the 7500 gvw rear leafs. Get some good shocks first, makes a world of difference. The large lower leaf is the overload leaf designed to reinforce the spring pack when you have a heavy payload. The newer springs will not work as they are 2 1/2" wide vs. 2 1/4" (this is assuming 8' bed and 2 wheel drive. 4 wheel drive and Longhorns got 2 1/2" wide springs) Another option are the velvet ride shackles by BF goodrich if they make a 2 1/4" version. It is a small torsion spring that replaces the shackle and the truck rides on this until a certain weight is exceeded. Then theis assembly "locks" acting like a conventional shackle and using the truckis springs. I bought a 2500 series truck just for its payload capabilities. You don't want to have to change springs or modify your truck every time you want to carry any weight. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

09-23-2002, 02:03 PM	#6
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	ALL longhorns had leafs, none had coils, coils were a 1/2 and 3/4 ton 2wd option(Chevy, standard GMC) except longhorns and ALL 1 tons are leafs __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

09-23-2002, 07:07 PM	#8
hjalbert cracker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,021	fairly certain gmcs came standard with leafs. __________________ FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Harry John Albert III located in Phoenix, AZ 1972 GMC JIMMY, 1969 lwb Chevy Frame, 1999 bmw k1200 ltc 1992 Kawasaki concours 1991 bmw k75 1973 cortez motorhome

09-22-2002, 11:25 PM	#3
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	I took a pair of leafs out of my custom camper 3/4 ton and it made a BIG difference. I took out the thicker one of them all. It was the bottom one was twice as thick as the rest.

09-23-2002, 04:28 PM	#7
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	Wasnt it that GMC's had standard leafs with optional coils and Chev's had standard coils with optional leafs?

09-23-2002, 08:39 PM	#9
72'BBGMCSGCC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fletcher,N.C U.S.A Posts: 162	I put the spare where it should be which helps hold the rear end down and put on Monroe Magnum shocks and she rides great.They cost about $130 for all 4.

09-23-2002, 09:03 PM	#10
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	Be sure to air down the tires. With no load 35-40lbs in a 3/4 ton. It makes a big difference. If you go to a spring shop they might be able to put teflon or rubber pads at the end of the springs to let them move against each other easier. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

09-23-2002, 09:58 PM	#11
conman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Fayette, Alabama Posts: 155	removed springs I took out two leafs on each side, but left the short helper spring in. It doesn't work until theres a load. It also lowered the rear end. And get a pair of good shocks. It rides great. __________________ Fayette Alabama



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