Question about rear coils?

[northern 85]

We are working on a 65 short 2wd panel,put new monroe shocks on the rear and some stock truck coils and then some 4 inch drop coils and if you bounce the rear it bounces like it has no shocks at al.l Do we need 3/4 ton rear coils?

[Reyals Bemus]

Do they make 3/4-ton rated DROP coil springs? I too would love to know. I need heavier duty springs for my '64 panel but want to keep the lowered stance.

[LVPhotos]

Traded my stock half ton springs to a guy it dropped 2" on his panel. He was running Chevelle springs.
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[Chief Big Toe]

I guy told me to look for chevell coils ,for the rear of my 64 SW. dont no if that helps.

[northern 85]

I think i read some where that someone removed one coil from the stock rear coils??.Dont know if its possible to bend it back to the shape its supposed to be after its cut.

[Rich 5150 69]

CPP sells Heavy duty 4 inch drop springs, I have them on my truck.
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[Reyals Bemus]

How do you like em, Rich? Are they stiff? Any pics?

[Rich 5150 69]

They are considerly stiffer, for my have ton short bed, but sinse I've installed rear tank, and still use it as a truck, it's far better, I had five inch drop springs in it, without the tank and couldn't carry 3 sheets of plywood without bottoming out.
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[fleetsidelarry]

IMO, if a vehicle continues to bounce up and down, it means the shocks aren't doing their job.

the purpose of "shocks" is to dampen spring oscillation. The term "shock absorber" is a total misnomer. The spring absorbs the impact (or shock), and the "shock" works to stop the spring from continuing to rebound back and forth (oscillate).

the standard length cheap monroe shocks I had were are pretty wimpy. I replaced them with some drop shocks (I have 3" drop springs).

In addition, the drop causes the installed (and working) angle of the shock to increase, further reducing its effectiveness. I also put a shock relocater kit on.

It works like it's supposed to now

Edit: and, yes, like Rich says the standard drop springs (and the jeeps and probably the chevelles) are too wimpy to allow the truck to be used to haul anything

[Rich 5150 69]

Pic of rear of truck but as they said you might want to look at shocks, even at best the design of our rear shocks at best are minimal.
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[Reyals Bemus]

That looks good Rich. I may just have to try out the CPP 4" HD drop springs. I just hope it wont be too much considering I have a panel truck AND a rear gas tank AND I want to tow stuff.

[Rich 5150 69]

These are the ones recommeded for burbs and or pickup for loads and towing...

[northern 85]

A heavy duty 2 inch drop coil is what im thinking will give us a factory rake,the front is allready dropped 2 inches wit a coils.

[Clyde65]

I'd go air bags with two shraders valves to adjust when towing.
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[northern 85]

Yes we want to tow and load the back up at swap meets.What are your thoughts on air helpers?

[Clyde65]

Just put some air bags on there bud. I replaced my 4" drop coils with 2600 bags and the dual schraders, rides better and I can tow now. With the springs I couldn't tow my small travel trailer ( 2000#).
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[hemifalcon]

Make sure they understand you want HD springs when you order them.. Let them know you are looking to put the springs on a Panel.. Hopefully they get your order correct the FIRST time..

[northern 85]

Thanks guys! This place is great,so much info!

[Reyals Bemus]

Yea CPP ALWAYS seems to get the orders wrong. Its very frustrating with them. But sometimes they just have those specific parts you need and will deal with the BS for.

Doesn't running air bags require wiring and plumbing up a compressor, tank, and controls?

I'm almost thinking about putting helper leaf springs on my panel.

[Captainfab]

RockTonka ended up putting the HD dropped springs in their Suburban because the standard dropped springs were too soft. Not sure what he did for shocks though.

[Rich 5150 69]

Monro-Matic Plus P/N 32207 shocks will work just fine...that is what I have put on mine shorter shock....


here`s some more surprising facts....although we knew that angle would lessen the damping effect, I just didnot think it would impact it that much...I may just relocate them altogether on down the road. Our shocks down to about 30 degrees but I will have to get the protractor level out to check.... I`m now considering moving them to the out side of the frame and flipping the lowers ( switch from side to side ) so they exit the rear and run up to the frame outside.... I think It would offer more part numbers and not nessarily more expensive shock as you would have more dampening effect with a cheaper shock. thoughts...? Update Just got thru checking mine are at 40 degees, actually closer to 42 degees as the suspension compresses its even more...man that is ugly....! Don`t think GM planned that out very well..

Angle of the Dangle...... this thru KYB 4x4 review site

Mounting shocks at angles reduces the overall dampening effect of the shock. Reason being; the shock’s mechanisms will travel geometrically, less of a distance than that of the suspension system. Some vehicles (early model Land Cruisers, etc.) have their rear shocks mounted at about a 30-degree inward (inward = leaning toward the differential, not forward or aft-ward) angle, while others have their shocks mounted at a 20 degree angle or so forward and/or aft ward of the rear axle (e.g. Chevy, Jeep CJ’s, etc.). There are several reasons why this might be done. First, available space… regardless, if this is something you are going to do yourself, you’ll need to increase the static pressure of shock to mimic the shocks effectiveness of it being in a perpendicular location. Secondly, you can gain more suspension articulation than would normally be limited by the overall travel of the shock absorber if it were located perpendicular to that of mounting your shocks at an angle, if you don’t have room for a taller shock absorber. The charts here show the overall estimated reduced effectiveness of a raked shock absorber. However, these numbers should only be used as a rule of thumb as other factors such as the arc of the suspension cycle can factor in.

[northern 85]

Great info! I wish someone made 2 inch hd drop coils.

[spudder]

Call Coil Spring Specialties in St. Marys, Kansas. I know for a fact that they supply many of the vendors with their springs.
You can talk to them and they will make exactly what you want. You can buy direct.
To me, it makes more sense to deal directly with a manufacturer who is in the business of making springs. The odds of getting the right spring are a lot better!
I have had them make springs for previous projects.
Here is their contact information 785 437-2025

I have NO connection with this company other than being a satisfied customer.

[fleetsidelarry]

good info, Rich

[kieth]

If you drop your truck 4" shouldn't you install a shock that is 4" shorter. As I understood shocks they should be in a normally neutral position and then have the correct amount of stroke up and down so they can do their job.......?

ps do the air bags 2600 series it will not cost much and you can then adjust the ride height to match the load. You will not have to keep guessing which coil spring to use and it will allow you to use a shock for the proper ride height because the ride height will stay the same. JMO Kieth