differences in rear suspension on trucks

[vegaschevy]

I have seen some leaf sprung trucks and some coil. which was which and why? I would assume leaf spring trucks were 3/4 or heavy duty. Can anyone school me on this? I am trying to learn everything I can. It seems the coil trucks have more for lowering components.

[turp mcspray]

Chevy came standard with coil, and leafs were the heavy duty option. Gmc came standard with leafs. Gmc was always more heavy duty than chevy.

[sameyrasmea72]

coils were standard and leafs were optional. Most GMC's came with leafs but it was still really an option and was listed on the SPID on the blovebox.

[vegaschevy]

thanks guys, Just what I figured.
AM I right thinking it seems many of the lowering kits have more options for coil trucks?

pros/cons on these trucks of each?

[Longhorn Man]

the leafs were not heavy duty at all. They had the same payload rating as coils. In a mild overload situation, the leafs were possibly a tad bit better, if loading a 1/2 ton town with over 2500 pounds, coils are better. The coils just stack on top of each other and the suspention is locked out... been there, done that.

[Ackattack]

also, 3/4 tons could be had with coil springs. My parts truck had them along with leaf spring overloads.

I've been told the coil spring trucks ride nicer.

My GMC had leaf springs, and at the drag strip I had horrible wheel hop. The trailing arm suspension should help reduce wheel hop. Also, its pretty easy to put air bags in place of the coil springs.

[67chevy3/4tontruck]

ok chevy 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks had coils chevy one ton trucks has leaf springs and gmc trucks has leaf springs the only way you see a 1/2 or 3/4 ton chevy truck with leaf springs if some one put it on the truck or if it was order by some one

[capev86]

coils look sooooo much better than leaf springs. and the rear coil suspension on 2wd trucks from this era was a work of art....they modeled nascar cars after the trailing arm rear setup.

in my 72 suburban brochure it lists coil spring capacities for 1/2 and 3/4 ton

Front: 1450 or 1550 / 1750 or 1950

Rear: 1400 or 2000 / 2000 or 2750

optional rear spring on 1/2 ton was standard on 3/4 ton. some day i will replace the 2000 lb springs on my 72 3/4 ton with the 2750 pound rated coils for more trailer capacity. i think my dad put the bad boy rear springs on his 72 suburban 1/2 ton because the rear was rock solid stiff and sat like a hotrod (tail high) even with the camper hitched up. his truck had the 500 pound mini leaf overload springs and they never engaged after he went to the heavy springs.

LMC carries these springs for a good price and they also sell variable rate versions. my experience with variable rate (on cars) is while they stiffen it up they also lower the car a bit....i hate that on the rear when i want to tow with it....