Rear Leaf Spring Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Curly86 · 03-30-2008, 03:11 AM

I have a shortie 86 Silverado. How many leaf springs did it come with from the factory with? It only has 3 springs on each side now. I think the PO took out some springs to lower it and heated the front coil springs. I am in the process of putting a flatbed on it and want to raise it back up to where it is supposed to be. It is my DD driver and I just bought a 16ft car trailer to pull behind it. And also what year did Chevy change over to the leaf springs on the P/U's

Pyrotechnic · 03-30-2008, 05:40 AM

My 78 C10 only had 3 leafs plus a thick helper spring. It was fairly stiff in the rear and the rear sat pretty high.

It really depends how hard the truck was worked. Those springs could just be really worn out.

73 was when all trucks had leaf springs rears. 73-87 half ton springs are what you wanna look for.

89 crew · 03-30-2008, 06:14 AM

far as I know, 69 was the last of the factory rear coils. They might have continued through 72, but I haven't seen one.

Curly86 · 03-30-2008, 04:49 PM

Mine doesn't have the helper spring on it just 3 thin leafs

**N2TRUX** · 03-30-2008, 05:53 PM

Sounds like the PO took the helper out. That spring is 3/4" thick so it gives almost a full inch of lowering

Curly86 · 03-31-2008, 03:44 AM

That's what I was thinking thanks for the info

dieselarmy13 · 03-31-2008, 03:48 AM

All 67-72 had coils standard on Chevy. Leafs were an option. GMC had standard leafs, and optional coils.

03-30-2008, 03:11 AM	#1
Curly86 You want it there when??? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lewisburg Ky Posts: 393	Rear Leaf Spring Question I have a shortie 86 Silverado. How many leaf springs did it come with from the factory with? It only has 3 springs on each side now. I think the PO took out some springs to lower it and heated the front coil springs. I am in the process of putting a flatbed on it and want to raise it back up to where it is supposed to be. It is my DD driver and I just bought a 16ft car trailer to pull behind it. And also what year did Chevy change over to the leaf springs on the P/U's __________________ 1986 Silverado Flatbed 400 SB with 350 turbo 1997 Ford Explorer with 302 mydrive to work ride 1978 Gmc Midas RV 21ft with 46,000 actual miles 2003 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 327 and Tweety Bird Yellow Big Sandy Survivor 09 Trucks in the Blue Grass Survivor 09 TNCTC Streetcruzin

03-30-2008, 05:40 AM	#2
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Rear Leaf Spring Question My 78 C10 only had 3 leafs plus a thick helper spring. It was fairly stiff in the rear and the rear sat pretty high. It really depends how hard the truck was worked. Those springs could just be really worn out. 73 was when all trucks had leaf springs rears. 73-87 half ton springs are what you wanna look for.

03-30-2008, 06:14 AM	#3
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: Rear Leaf Spring Question far as I know, 69 was the last of the factory rear coils. They might have continued through 72, but I haven't seen one.

03-30-2008, 04:49 PM	#4
Curly86 You want it there when??? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lewisburg Ky Posts: 393	Re: Rear Leaf Spring Question Mine doesn't have the helper spring on it just 3 thin leafs __________________ 1986 Silverado Flatbed 400 SB with 350 turbo 1997 Ford Explorer with 302 mydrive to work ride 1978 Gmc Midas RV 21ft with 46,000 actual miles 2003 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 327 and Tweety Bird Yellow Big Sandy Survivor 09 Trucks in the Blue Grass Survivor 09 TNCTC Streetcruzin

03-30-2008, 05:53 PM	#5
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Rear Leaf Spring Question Sounds like the PO took the helper out. That spring is 3/4" thick so it gives almost a full inch of lowering __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

03-31-2008, 03:44 AM	#6
Curly86 You want it there when??? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lewisburg Ky Posts: 393	Re: Rear Leaf Spring Question That's what I was thinking thanks for the info __________________ 1986 Silverado Flatbed 400 SB with 350 turbo 1997 Ford Explorer with 302 mydrive to work ride 1978 Gmc Midas RV 21ft with 46,000 actual miles 2003 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 327 and Tweety Bird Yellow Big Sandy Survivor 09 Trucks in the Blue Grass Survivor 09 TNCTC Streetcruzin

03-31-2008, 03:48 AM	#7
dieselarmy13 Phone's ringin Dude. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,426	Re: Rear Leaf Spring Question All 67-72 had coils standard on Chevy. Leafs were an option. GMC had standard leafs, and optional coils. __________________ I pitty the fool with only two headlights!! 2003 SILVERADO SS--THE NEW GIRL 1972 GMC--THE OLD GIRL

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