3/4 ton springs

[rockhop051]

Quick Hello to everyone on the board from a new guy and thanks for all of the great information already passed along.

I've got a 66 3/4 ton custom camper that rides like a tank and I need to soften up the ride a bit. Can I swap out the coil springs with a set of 1/2 ton springs and get some relief? If not anyone know an easy way to soften up the ride?

Also I'd like to find some new 8 lug wheels to go on it and was hoping to pick up some used ones off of CL. Will any Chevy 8 lug rims fit or only from certain models?

Thanks Everyone.

[LILRED66]

Welcome to the forums from Kansas City, KS. Congrats on the C20 Custom Camper. I have one myself. Spring rates and shock quality will effect the ride, but not substantially. Also, if you are running 8 ply or 10 ply tires, you may consider a M+R Radial in the size you desire. Wheel choices are almost unlimited. Here are a few photos of my '66 C20 Custom Camper with a few different wheel choices I have been running on it.

Take care and don't forget to post some pictures of your C20.

[lakeroadster]

You might want to check out this thread in regards to the springs http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404027

[rockhop051]

Thanks for the input. I'm happy with the ride height of the truck just want to soften the back end up. Do you know if the 1/2 ton springs will mount the same as the 3/4 ton springs without modifications?

I'll have some pics to post this weekend.

[LILRED66]

The factory 1/2 ton coils will fit on the 3/4 ton rear-end setup.

[markeb01]

I'm beginning to wonder if 1960 1/2 ton GMC's came from the factory with 3/4 ton rear coil springs (or at least if mine did). In looking at the Chevy Truck Shop manual, the Chevy rear springs in the photos look more like the Jeep springs I just installed. The wire diameter of my original GMC springs is .715" and they weigh roughly twice as much as the replacements. The originals allowed almost no compression until the bed was heavily loaded.

[66coffin]

Rockhop, i don't know what rims you are looking for but i've got 8 lug white spokes with good radials from my 66 c20, you can have them if you can get them picked up. here's a pic of them on my truck, they're off now and ready for a new home...

[factorystock]

The standard '66 Chevy 3/4 tons came with 2000LB coils. You probably have the optional 3000Lb coils because your truck was originally bought to haul a heavy camper. Just swap out the coils from a 2000 LB 3/4 ton if you want your truck to ride softer and still function as a truck that can haul a load. To this day, the aftermarket has failed to make a steel 8 lug 16" one piece wheel with clips so you can run original hubcaps with popular tires sizes of today. This is why you rarely ever see a '66 3/4 ton with '66 hubcaps.

[66coffin]

i got some of those springs Factorystock is talking about, let me know if you're interested.

[rockhop051]

Hey 66Coffin thanks for the offer, was looking for something in chrome and hoping to get some 17's underneath her but I'll let you know if I change my mind.

Factorystock, do you know what the lb level is for the 1/2 ton springs. I definately dont want to go too soft and not be able to load the bed up. This is not going to be a show truck, I plan to use it as a truck on a daily basis.

[factorystock]

The standard C 10 coil springs are 1250 lbs and the optional C 10 coils springs are 2000 lbs. The heavy duty 1/2 coils are the same and the standard 3/4 ton coils. So this is why "heavy duty 1/2 tons" (usually orginally ordered with 292's and 4 speeds and 2 piece rims) ride like standard 3/4 tons.