Front coil spring question

[novaX522]

I got the old springs out and found a rubber isolator at the bottom. Is that original or something someone added? It’s like 1” thick. Do I need an isolator?

[Rust_never_sleeps]

mine sat in a pocket in the lower control arm, metal to metal :shrug:

[raggedjim]

I've had a few of these trucks but have never had a rubber cushion in any of them.

[cj847]

on a side note, are those 2" or 3" drop springs?

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

I've had a few of these trucks but have never had a rubber cushion in any of them.

First time I’ve seen them too. I’ve seen them in catalog s to use for extra ride height.

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by cj847

on a side note, are those 2" or 3" drop springs?

They are supposed to be a 1” drop. I got them from POL. They had a deal on front and rear springs. I got 1” front and 2” rear.
Front should sit considerably lower without the isolator and the new springs. Photo is with 2” springs in rear, and the original springs up front.

[davischevy]

Those are not original. I used them for years to raise the front. I still keep a couple of new sets in stock to adjust ride height.

[CC69Rat]

Ah, the infamous 'Chevy Lean'

Opinions will differ I'm sure, but after dropping as many of these trucks as I have, from 67-87. Even the S10s..

GM apparently built these trucks lower on the drivers side than on the passenger side. Was the isolator in one side, but not the other? If so, I'm betting it was in the drivers side?

If it had isolators on both sides then I'm off base.. but drivers side only imo would be a spacer to adjust the Chevy Lean.

It's hard to see on a stock height truck. But, with a big static drop you'll usually see the drivers side sits about 3/4" - 1" lower than the passenger side.

I don't know how true it is but I've read GM built the trucks this way to accommodate the difference in the crown of the road. So the trucks feel like they sit level, vs leaning toward the passenger side as you drive them.

Weird.. but I use a 3/4" Belltech spacer on the drivers side of almost every truck, S10, Blazer, etc I build. Just my .02

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Ah, the infamous 'Chevy Lean'

Opinions will differ I'm sure, but after dropping as many of these trucks as I have, from 67-87. Even the S10s..

GM apparently built these trucks lower on the drivers side than on the passenger side. Was the isolator in one side, but not the other? If so, I'm betting it was in the drivers side?

If it had isolators on both sides then I'm off base.. but drivers side only imo would be a spacer to adjust the Chevy Lean.

It's hard to see on a stock height truck. But, with a big static drop you'll usually see the drivers side sits about 3/4" - 1" lower than the passenger side.

I don't know how true it is but I've read GM built the trucks this way to accommodate the difference in the crown of the road. So the trucks feel like they sit level, vs leaning toward the passenger side as you drive them.

Weird.. but I use a 3/4" Belltech spacer on the drivers side of almost every truck, S10, Blazer, etc I build. Just my .02

This had the spacers on both sides. I think the springs are original. It sat level from side to side, but I always thought the front looked higher than the rear. Now I know why. Well this is cool, cause now it will sit 2” lower than before.

[MikeB]

For those new springs to be only a 1" drop, the wire diameter will have to be a lot larger than the old springs. I mean a lot thicker! Have to say it looks like you'll end up closer to a 4" drop.

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by MikeB

For those new springs to be only a 1" drop, the wire diameter will have to be a lot larger than the old springs. I mean a lot thicker! Have to say it looks like you'll end up closer to a 4" drop.

I checked the part number on the front springs, they match the 1” drop. We’ll find out soon enough. I’ll post pictures when I get it back together in a week or two.

[MikeB]

What is the wire OD on stock vs. new springs? Also the free height?

[Wikid61]

Originally Posted by robnolimit View Post
Spring rates for stock style C-10's seem high, but this is do to the A-arm ratio. Here are some stock spring rates
Moog # 6082 722 lbs/in 6 cyl, and light v-8
Moog # 6542 842 lbs/in std v-8
Moog # 6102 1015 lbs/in bigblock, longbed c.s.
Moog # 6104 1016 lbs/in 3/4 ton, sits 1/2" higher than #6102
Moog # 6454 1060 lbs/in 3/4t bbc, c.s, 1ton

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by MikeB

What is the wire OD on stock vs. new springs? Also the free height?

I’ll check that when I get home tonight.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Wikid61

Originally Posted by robnolimit View Post
Spring rates for stock style C-10's seem high, but this is do to the A-arm ratio. Here are some stock spring rates
Moog # 6082 722 lbs/in 6 cyl, and light v-8
Moog # 6542 842 lbs/in std v-8
Moog # 6102 1015 lbs/in bigblock, longbed c.s.
Moog # 6104 1016 lbs/in 3/4 ton, sits 1/2" higher than #6102
Moog # 6454 1060 lbs/in 3/4t bbc, c.s, 1ton

That's some good info. Do you have Moog numbers and specs for rear coil springs? I had lowered my LWB truck a couple inches ~25 years ago and have been thinking about raising it back up. It never was as high a some to begin with. It came with a 307/TH350 and no optional springs. GVWR is 5000.

[Wikid61]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...187&cc=1321096 This place will give the lowest $ usually.

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by MikeB

What is the wire OD on stock vs. new springs? Also the free height?

The factory coil spring is a little over 13” tall and .825 thick. The new coil spring is 12” tall and .775 thick.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by novaX522

The factory coil spring is a little over 13” tall and .825 thick. The new coil spring is 12” tall and .775 thick.

Man, I hate to say this, but 1" shorter free length is around 1.7" at the wheel, as I recall. Along with smaller wire gauge, that spring will drop the heck out of the truck!

[novaX522]

Well fortunately the front of the truck sat really high. I think there is plenty of room to go down.

[Wikid61]

Originally Posted by novaX522

Well fortunately the front of the truck sat really high. I think there is plenty of room to go down.

Freakin'-A tall. Put a 4" drop in the rear and its 'gasser' city.

[Jim Boy]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Ah, the infamous 'Chevy Lean'

Opinions will differ I'm sure, but after dropping as many of these trucks as I have, from 67-87. Even the S10s..

GM apparently built these trucks lower on the drivers side than on the passenger side. Was the isolator in one side, but not the other? If so, I'm betting it was in the drivers side?

If it had isolators on both sides then I'm off base.. but drivers side only imo would be a spacer to adjust the Chevy Lean.

It's hard to see on a stock height truck. But, with a big static drop you'll usually see the drivers side sits about 3/4" - 1" lower than the passenger side.

I don't know how true it is but I've read GM built the trucks this way to accommodate the difference in the crown of the road. So the trucks feel like they sit level, vs leaning toward the passenger side as you drive them.

Weird.. but I use a 3/4" Belltech spacer on the drivers side of almost every truck, S10, Blazer, etc I build. Just my .02

CC69 Rat-- I've been pulling my hair out over the slant in the truck when viewed from the rear. I have replaced almost everything front and back that could affect the tilt but to no avail. This is the first post that confirms that a tilt is there. My question is:: where did you read that GM built the trucks with this configuration built in to compensate for road crown. It's the little things that drive you nuts and makes you lose sleep. Have a good day and be good. Santa is almost packed.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

CC69 Rat-- I've been pulling my hair out over the slant in the truck when viewed from the rear. I have replaced almost everything front and back that could affect the tilt but to no avail. This is the first post that confirms that a tilt is there. My question is:: where did you read that GM built the trucks with this configuration built in to compensate for road crown. It's the little things that drive you nuts and makes you lose sleep. Have a good day and be good. Santa is almost packed.

My guess is something is bent if you replaced the upper and lower control arms front and rear (or springs) then it’s the frame usually it will be front rail. I’ve never seen any reference to a factory lean in any vehicle . And I was factory trained for 5 weeks by Car-o-liner when my uncle bought one in the mid 80s . I must have done at least 3 hundred cars and trucks before I left the industry. He had the only frame in a very large radius for years as it was a big investment,so we did work for other shops .

[BAD1916]

I would think of anything you would compensate for the weight of the driver and have it sit slightly higher. Ford did this with early Thunderbirds. There is a steel spacer above the spring on the driver side so the car rides levelish.

[Jim Boy]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

My guess is something is bent if you replaced the upper and lower control arms front and rear (or springs) then it’s the frame usually it will be front rail. I’ve never seen any reference to a factory lean in any vehicle . And I was factory trained for 5 weeks by Car-o-liner when my uncle bought one in the mid 80s . I must have done at least 3 hundred cars and trucks before I left the industry. He had the only frame in a very large radius for years as it was a big investment, so we did work for other shops .

Mark you are probably correct on something being bent. The more I really think about it, it doesn't make sense. There are all kinds of crowns in different places, so where would GM draw the line. If I keep playing around with it, I'll be hitting the end wall of life and will be sure to leave instructions. Thanks for the reply. Ron.

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

Mark you are probably correct on something being bent. The more I really think about it, it doesn't make sense. There are all kinds of crowns in different places, so where would GM draw the line. If I keep playing around with it, I'll be hitting the end wall of life and will be sure to leave instructions. Thanks for the reply. Ron.

Hey Ron, if your frame is tweaked, there are places that can fix that. I replaced the frame in my elCamino last winter. I found the replacement frame was tweaked. I took it to a friend with a body shop. He was able to get it back where it belongs with floor anchors, chains and a big bottle jack. Now it runs 10s in the 1/4 mile and straight as an arrow.