What leaf springs in your 60-66 4x4?

[argonaut]

What kind of leaf springs are you guys using in your 60-66 4x4 trucks?

It looks like my fronts are Rancho part number 41054. About 43" from eye to eye with the weight of the frame only on them, and 2.5" wide.

The rears appear to be stock. About 50" from eye to eye with only the weight of the frame, and 2.5" wide.

The fronts look in good shape but the rears feel soft to me. And it looks like the leaves have been wearing on each other in the rear too.

Is everyone using custom made springs?

['63GENIII]

Hey Jason. Sounds like I'm running a similar set up as you except there's an add a leaf in the front which I'd really like to get rid of. Supposedly the springs were off of a '71 or '72 k10 that the p.o. had. My springs are starting to wear on each other too. When the funds permit I'd like to try the 62" rears with the 52" fronts to try to get a little more modern spring pack and a better ride.

[argonaut]

Hey Chris, I'm glad to know that I'm not alone! My front spring packs appear to be in pretty good condition (no wonder since they're clearly not the originals) but the rears feel soft and have wear.

I actually did some remeasuring of the springs dimensions after looking at SDTruckSprings.com for a while. It seems like my front and rear spring lengths are pretty darn similar to the stock 69-72 springs. However it seems that the 66 has a higher arch in front and a lower arch in the rear. So this doesn't help me much.

I think my next step is to just investigate having some new custom sets made by a local truck shop. Although this isn't as high on my to-do list as some other things.

['63GENIII]

I took a look at SD trucks. Pretty cool site. I've dealt with a place up here called Betts Spring. They can easily put more arch into a spring if needed. They are pretty fast too. When I needed 9/16 u-bolts, they bent them up right there in front of me. 15 minutes.

Am I right in guessing that you want to replace the rear springs and possibly get the fronts "tuned up" (bushings and poly sliders)? I would look at SD Trucks or at least give them a call and get a few questions answered. Let us know what happens. Chris

[benwah]

When I baught my 62 everything in the rear was broke! Shackles u-bolts leafs spring pins. I had to chain the rear axle around the frame to winch it on my tow truck. I was cutting up a class A winnabego mid 70's. I saved the spring perches and leafs and bolted them to my frame. I had to modify a few things but I felt I improved a weak link on these trucks. I also used the mudflaps, Its a cab chassie model. I have to dig up some pictures and post them.

[benwah]

Heres a few pictures. Frame is painted and a nice cab from the Arizona desert has been installed since photos. Working on fixing the doors now....

[benwah]

Heres one after I just got her home...

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by benwah

Heres one after I just got her home...

Hey Ben, I've heard of 4 link suspensions but 400 link? That's just crazy. Nice save! Those are some wild pics. I've never seen a spring mount in that bad of condition. So much for grease pins.

[benwah]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Hey Ben, I've heard of 4 link suspensions but 400 link? That's just crazy. Nice save! Those are some wild pics. I've never seen a spring mount in that bad of condition. So much for grease pins.

HAHA! 400 link! Guess I have to start a build thread...Nice to finally talk to people here that know these trucks! Dont want to hijack the thread about mine.