That's not factory equipment... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blue Ox · 08-04-2014, 10:24 PM

I've been slowly working at dis-assembly of my 1960 GMC project. It was a slow day today, so I was out there giving the underside a good looking over when I found myself doing a double-take. What the heck...? Check out these kinda scary "helper springs" attached to the rear leaf units.

Definitely didn't come from the factory with those. The welds are all boogered up, and the coil springs were obviously meant to sit in an angled perch. Anybody ever see anything like that before?

On the one hand, it's kind of clever. On the other hand... seriously???

71swb4x4 · 08-04-2014, 10:35 PM

They aren't that scary. Besides, they look like they have made it for a LONG time like that. Remember there was a time when you couldn't find anything you wanted on the internet, or even in a catalog. And if you did find it you may have had to order it and wait a week or two to get it. If you were on the farm, and you needed that truck to carry an extra 600 pounds, you had to find a way to get it done.

TJ's Chevy · 08-04-2014, 11:26 PM

That outta make for stiffer ride...

Softpatch · 08-04-2014, 11:33 PM

and it's still like that to this day
.
Let me show you a picture of my set up
.
Two tons of fun ...talk about a stiff ride
.

1963c-10 · 08-05-2014, 08:17 AM

Funny thing is the factory and dealer had auxiliary springs available for both coils/leaf springs. I have them on both of my trucks.

Blue Ox · 08-05-2014, 10:04 AM

Softpatch... Holy Crap! That's a lot of spring!

Truth be told I have some personal history with the truck I'm working on now. It belonged to a relative of mine and we used to use it to haul horses up into the Montana mountains when I was a kid.

Anyway those helper springs have served their purpose well. I've seen near on 3000 lbs of horse loaded into that truck and driven up the side of a mountain with no trouble

I just hadn't ever gotten a good look at the underside of the truck until now. Knowing what we did with that truck, and seeing what we did it with, gives me a little shiver now that I'm a little older and my sense of self-preservation has had a chance to develop.

chevyrestoguy · 08-05-2014, 10:11 AM

Now, that's a bump stop! Could you imagine the banging sounds if you were ever loaded heavy enough that it bottomed out?

08-04-2014, 10:24 PM	#1
Blue Ox Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dewitt, MI Posts: 20	That's not factory equipment... I've been slowly working at dis-assembly of my 1960 GMC project. It was a slow day today, so I was out there giving the underside a good looking over when I found myself doing a double-take. What the heck...? Check out these kinda scary "helper springs" attached to the rear leaf units. Definitely didn't come from the factory with those. The welds are all boogered up, and the coil springs were obviously meant to sit in an angled perch. Anybody ever see anything like that before? On the one hand, it's kind of clever. On the other hand... seriously??? Attached Images

08-04-2014, 10:35 PM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: That's not factory equipment... They aren't that scary. Besides, they look like they have made it for a LONG time like that. Remember there was a time when you couldn't find anything you wanted on the internet, or even in a catalog. And if you did find it you may have had to order it and wait a week or two to get it. If you were on the farm, and you needed that truck to carry an extra 600 pounds, you had to find a way to get it done. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

08-04-2014, 11:26 PM	#3
TJ's Chevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 10,384	Re: That's not factory equipment... That outta make for stiffer ride... __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw

08-04-2014, 11:33 PM	#4
Softpatch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Vashon WA Posts: 969	Re: That's not factory equipment... and it's still like that to this day . Let me show you a picture of my set up . Two tons of fun ...talk about a stiff ride . __________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative' . . 1966 C-20 .....Swap 91 G-30(5.7 FI)/4L80E http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=789617 59 Viking Revival .. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632341

08-05-2014, 08:17 AM	#5
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: That's not factory equipment... Funny thing is the factory and dealer had auxiliary springs available for both coils/leaf springs. I have them on both of my trucks. Attached Images __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer

08-05-2014, 10:04 AM	#6
Blue Ox Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dewitt, MI Posts: 20	Re: That's not factory equipment... Softpatch... Holy Crap! That's a lot of spring! Truth be told I have some personal history with the truck I'm working on now. It belonged to a relative of mine and we used to use it to haul horses up into the Montana mountains when I was a kid. Anyway those helper springs have served their purpose well. I've seen near on 3000 lbs of horse loaded into that truck and driven up the side of a mountain with no trouble I just hadn't ever gotten a good look at the underside of the truck until now. Knowing what we did with that truck, and seeing what we did it with, gives me a little shiver now that I'm a little older and my sense of self-preservation has had a chance to develop.

08-05-2014, 10:11 AM	#7
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: That's not factory equipment... Now, that's a bump stop! Could you imagine the banging sounds if you were ever loaded heavy enough that it bottomed out? __________________ Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527

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