Coil springs in my 71 C-10 long bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jimcaf · 05-20-2012, 10:29 AM

A couple of months ago I put stock replacement coils in my pickup from Autozone,Measuring from the wheel well opening the back is 3 inches higher then the front,its drives and carries a load great but when I hook up a trailer it so jacked up I cant see it without pulling off my tailgate off and Im not liking the looks of it. I see CCP has a set of 3 inch drop springs on special for $99 shipped,,will this be a good fix or should I be looking for 2 inch? I occasionally use the truck for towing and picking up fire wood,,,thanks jim

J kippin · 05-20-2012, 11:32 AM

Jim you may not like the drop I dont use my truck to haul anything but I can feel it is softer riding. I went 3.0 in the rear and 2.0 in the front with the CPP springs. I still have the small block in it so I dont know how the BBC will effect the ride height. will see in a few weeks

John

Andy4639 · 05-20-2012, 10:35 PM

3" springs in the back and helper air bags is the only way to go man! My 71 LWB rides as good as my 08 Tahoe with factory air ride. I don't haul much but have pulled a few golf carts with it before.

jimcaf · 05-20-2012, 11:45 PM

I like how you did yours Andy,,,I noticed they sell a light spring and a HD spring for towing and carry a load but it appears they have every thing in a HD except a 3 inch, so right now I have a brand new stock HD rear springs,and after crawling around under it this afternoon Im considering notching the frame where the spring seats and then reinforcing it with some channel and plate from the outside,this way I maintain the ride it has,and the payload,,here is a shot of the front vs back wheel well

jimcaf · 05-25-2012, 11:40 PM

I ended up notching the springs into the frame,used 3/16 plate and boxed it ,I think its going to work well

jimcaf · 05-26-2012, 11:22 PM

Heres a few shots of what I did,Im going to like the way it sits now when the bed goes back on.jim

05-20-2012, 10:29 AM	#1
jimcaf Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Valley Center,CA Posts: 89	Coil springs in my 71 C-10 long bed A couple of months ago I put stock replacement coils in my pickup from Autozone,Measuring from the wheel well opening the back is 3 inches higher then the front,its drives and carries a load great but when I hook up a trailer it so jacked up I cant see it without pulling off my tailgate off and Im not liking the looks of it. I see CCP has a set of 3 inch drop springs on special for $99 shipped,,will this be a good fix or should I be looking for 2 inch? I occasionally use the truck for towing and picking up fire wood,,,thanks jim __________________ 1971 Chevy C-10, 5.3, 4L60E,4.10 gears UNDER CONSTRUCTION Mid size bed conversion https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...yC10MidSizeBed The basic buildup https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...3/1971ChevyC10

05-20-2012, 11:32 AM	#2
J kippin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cape Neddick Posts: 215	Re: Coil springs in my 71 C-10 long bed Jim you may not like the drop I dont use my truck to haul anything but I can feel it is softer riding. I went 3.0 in the rear and 2.0 in the front with the CPP springs. I still have the small block in it so I dont know how the BBC will effect the ride height. will see in a few weeks John

05-20-2012, 10:35 PM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Coil springs in my 71 C-10 long bed 3" springs in the back and helper air bags is the only way to go man! My 71 LWB rides as good as my 08 Tahoe with factory air ride. I don't haul much but have pulled a few golf carts with it before. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

05-20-2012, 11:45 PM	#4
jimcaf Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Valley Center,CA Posts: 89	Re: Coil springs in my 71 C-10 long bed I like how you did yours Andy,,,I noticed they sell a light spring and a HD spring for towing and carry a load but it appears they have every thing in a HD except a 3 inch, so right now I have a brand new stock HD rear springs,and after crawling around under it this afternoon Im considering notching the frame where the spring seats and then reinforcing it with some channel and plate from the outside,this way I maintain the ride it has,and the payload,,here is a shot of the front vs back wheel well Attached Images __________________ 1971 Chevy C-10, 5.3, 4L60E,4.10 gears UNDER CONSTRUCTION Mid size bed conversion https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...yC10MidSizeBed The basic buildup https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...3/1971ChevyC10

05-25-2012, 11:40 PM	#5
jimcaf Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Valley Center,CA Posts: 89	Re: Coil springs in my 71 C-10 long bed I ended up notching the springs into the frame,used 3/16 plate and boxed it ,I think its going to work well __________________ 1971 Chevy C-10, 5.3, 4L60E,4.10 gears UNDER CONSTRUCTION Mid size bed conversion https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...yC10MidSizeBed The basic buildup https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...3/1971ChevyC10 Last edited by jimcaf; 05-25-2012 at 11:49 PM.

05-26-2012, 11:22 PM	#6
jimcaf Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Valley Center,CA Posts: 89	Re: Coil springs in my 71 C-10 long bed Heres a few shots of what I did,Im going to like the way it sits now when the bed goes back on.jim Attached Images __________________ 1971 Chevy C-10, 5.3, 4L60E,4.10 gears UNDER CONSTRUCTION Mid size bed conversion https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...yC10MidSizeBed The basic buildup https://picasaweb.google.com/1114721...3/1971ChevyC10



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