Coil Spring ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Long Knight · 06-26-2003, 01:15 PM

I posted this on the suspension board but you guys are so well rounded and knowledgeable I know I can get an answer here (even if it isn't the right one)

LOL!

I have a 71 C-20, need new coil springs for the rear (because three coils are collapsed on each side)

What is the difference between:

HD and standard duty capacity?

HD and SD mounting brackets?

How do I know which set I have?

Thanks

**CPNE** · 06-26-2003, 01:20 PM

Quote:

(because three coils are collapsed on each side)

If it's the 3 center coils, that is the way they are designed

Long Knight · 06-26-2003, 01:21 PM

So...only a couple of the coils are functional and do anything?

**CPNE** · 06-26-2003, 01:24 PM

I think they are called variable rate springs but I can't explain the design theory behind them. There should be some space between the center coils but not to the degree the upper and lower coils are spaced.

70cst10_05 · 06-26-2003, 01:26 PM

ok i have a question w/ the 3 middle coils?? then if they are designed that way, how do you know if they are worn out or not?? and also the springs on my truck were not like that, but they were heavy duty is that what that means?? and my new springs are not like that??, sorry i didn't mean to steal your thread.

**CPNE** · 06-26-2003, 01:31 PM

The HD's are not variable rate springs and do not have the compressed center coils.

Long Knight · 06-26-2003, 01:33 PM

All info is welcome!

I have no space between the coils, none. And it rides like thers hot even any springs back there at all, loaded or not. It use to haul wheat with three foot sideboards loaded to the top.

Is there an indication on the options sticker telling what kind of springs my truck should have on it?

**CPNE** · 06-26-2003, 01:38 PM

Okay yours are probably shot if that's the case. I was just trying to save you $$ if you only thought the springs were bad based on what they looked like. If it had HD springs, it would be listed on the glove box. Sorry to F-up the initial post.

Long Knight · 06-26-2003, 01:42 PM

It's all good. I was waiting for you input because I know you know more about this than I do. What you said makes sense, but I didn't mention it was a farm truck.

From what I have found out during my busy day at work is that the standard duty will probably work out fine for me and I found a place that will MAKE them for $87/pair. Thanks for your help and I'll let you know how the install goes.

hanssolo · 06-26-2003, 11:48 PM

I went thru this with my springs also. "You mean those coils are supposed to touch!" I figured if they were 33 years old they were worn out, so I replaced them. A little more height, a little more solid and better ride. I don't know anything about the HD ones though. I stayed with standard cause I don't haul heavy things very often.

73stepside · 06-27-2003, 12:49 AM

you options sticker on the glove box door will identify HD springs. if you need a number or picture let me know. my 70 was optioned with HD rear springs, that i have since switched over to standard springs

Hotrod70C10 · 06-27-2003, 10:37 AM

I used to have HD springs also. Long knight, My truck was the same way. It was a rough riding sob. My uncle used to haul loads of dirt and a trailer with a bobcat on it all the time. I used some 4 inch drop springs, it only dropped about an inch and a half. new springs =

06-26-2003, 01:15 PM	#1
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	Coil Spring ?? I posted this on the suspension board but you guys are so well rounded and knowledgeable I know I can get an answer here (even if it isn't the right one) LOL! I have a 71 C-20, need new coil springs for the rear (because three coils are collapsed on each side) What is the difference between: HD and standard duty capacity? HD and SD mounting brackets? How do I know which set I have? Thanks __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

06-26-2003, 01:21 PM	#3
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	So...only a couple of the coils are functional and do anything? __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

06-26-2003, 01:24 PM	#4
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	I think they are called variable rate springs but I can't explain the design theory behind them. There should be some space between the center coils but not to the degree the upper and lower coils are spaced. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-26-2003, 01:26 PM	#5
70cst10_05 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Summerfield, Ks Posts: 739	ok i have a question w/ the 3 middle coils?? then if they are designed that way, how do you know if they are worn out or not?? and also the springs on my truck were not like that, but they were heavy duty is that what that means?? and my new springs are not like that??, sorry i didn't mean to steal your thread. __________________ 1970 Chevy CST/10 1970 Chevy CST/10 1972 Chevy C/10 1972 Chevy Suburban K/10 2019 Silverado 2500 Duramax Kevin

06-26-2003, 01:31 PM	#6
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	The HD's are not variable rate springs and do not have the compressed center coils. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-26-2003, 01:33 PM	#7
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	All info is welcome! I have no space between the coils, none. And it rides like thers hot even any springs back there at all, loaded or not. It use to haul wheat with three foot sideboards loaded to the top. Is there an indication on the options sticker telling what kind of springs my truck should have on it? __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

06-26-2003, 01:38 PM	#8
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Okay yours are probably shot if that's the case. I was just trying to save you $$ if you only thought the springs were bad based on what they looked like. If it had HD springs, it would be listed on the glove box. Sorry to F-up the initial post. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-26-2003, 01:42 PM	#9
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	It's all good. I was waiting for you input because I know you know more about this than I do. What you said makes sense, but I didn't mention it was a farm truck. From what I have found out during my busy day at work is that the standard duty will probably work out fine for me and I found a place that will MAKE them for $87/pair. Thanks for your help and I'll let you know how the install goes. __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

06-26-2003, 11:48 PM	#10
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	I went thru this with my springs also. "You mean those coils are supposed to touch!" I figured if they were 33 years old they were worn out, so I replaced them. A little more height, a little more solid and better ride. I don't know anything about the HD ones though. I stayed with standard cause I don't haul heavy things very often. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________

06-27-2003, 12:49 AM	#11
73stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moore OK 73160 Posts: 974	you options sticker on the glove box door will identify HD springs. if you need a number or picture let me know. my 70 was optioned with HD rear springs, that i have since switched over to standard springs __________________ 04 GMC Sierra RCSS 70 CST LWB 04 HD Sportster 1200 Custom

06-27-2003, 10:37 AM	#12
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	I used to have HD springs also. Long knight, My truck was the same way. It was a rough riding sob. My uncle used to haul loads of dirt and a trailer with a bobcat on it all the time. I used some 4 inch drop springs, it only dropped about an inch and a half. new springs = __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop



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