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70 3/4T beast · 09-26-2002, 08:47 PM

I have a 1970 Chevy truck. It is not original, and I have a couple of questions regarding the suspension. Did Chevy offer a 3/4 Ton truck with a heavy duty suspension? My truck has coil springs, helper springs, AND airbags in the rear. It rides like a pogo stick with an empty bed, but does great with about 1500 lbs in it. It has been sidelined for a little while, but I'm replacing the trailing arms now and getting it back on the road. While I'm in there, I'm thinking about changing the springs in the rear. Since it sits about as high as a 4x4, and it's a 4x2, would putting standard 1/2 ton shocks in the rear a). level out the truck, and b). improve the ride. Will they even fit? Any help would be appreciated. I'd gradually like to make this more of a street truck ( a low budget, pitiful attempt of a street truc) and less of a "Beast". Idea is to lower it front and rear. None of my friends have seen a truck with suspension like this one.

adamls · 09-26-2002, 09:53 PM

I do not think that they cam with air bags, though I have been wrong before. If it is going to be strictly street then look into Early Classics C20 Conversion with lowered suspension. Remove the air bags and helper springs go to lowered rear springs. Here is the link.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalogpg12.html

Longhorn Man · 09-26-2002, 10:22 PM

H.D. springs...yes. If it is listed in your glovebox, then you probably have them.
Helper springs.. Yes, they do not harm the ride in one bit. They don't even come into contacat untill you have 500 or so punds in the bed.
Air Bags, no, not stock. I would leave them in what ever springs you instal, that way you can run deflated as daily driving, and then inflate them when it is time for your truck to go play truck.

Scrub · 09-26-2002, 11:01 PM

You ask about standard 1/2 ton "SHOCKS" ? did you mean springs?

Anyway, I thing Longhornmail has it right. Remove the overloads and leave the AirBags. Also check the coils to se if they are "Normal" and not some extra heavyduty locomotive springs.

Good luck

70 3/4T beast · 09-27-2002, 05:50 AM

Yeah, I meant springs. I must have been thinking about saying I was replacing the shocks, too. I figured since we were going to be replacing the trailing arms, this is the time to change out the rear suspension components , too.

09-26-2002, 08:47 PM	#1
70 3/4T beast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26	!970 Chevy Questions I have a 1970 Chevy truck. It is not original, and I have a couple of questions regarding the suspension. Did Chevy offer a 3/4 Ton truck with a heavy duty suspension? My truck has coil springs, helper springs, AND airbags in the rear. It rides like a pogo stick with an empty bed, but does great with about 1500 lbs in it. It has been sidelined for a little while, but I'm replacing the trailing arms now and getting it back on the road. While I'm in there, I'm thinking about changing the springs in the rear. Since it sits about as high as a 4x4, and it's a 4x2, would putting standard 1/2 ton shocks in the rear a). level out the truck, and b). improve the ride. Will they even fit? Any help would be appreciated. I'd gradually like to make this more of a street truck ( a low budget, pitiful attempt of a street truc) and less of a "Beast". Idea is to lower it front and rear. None of my friends have seen a truck with suspension like this one.

09-26-2002, 09:53 PM	#2
adamls Gotta Startem Early Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Amarillo, TX, USA Posts: 364	I do not think that they cam with air bags, though I have been wrong before. If it is going to be strictly street then look into Early Classics C20 Conversion with lowered suspension. Remove the air bags and helper springs go to lowered rear springs. Here is the link. http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalogpg12.html __________________ 67 SWB In Progress, one piece at a time, maybe 3 years I will be finished

09-26-2002, 11:01 PM	#4
Scrub Collector of rusty Items Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sisters,Oregon USA Posts: 731	You ask about standard 1/2 ton "SHOCKS" ? did you mean springs? Anyway, I thing Longhornmail has it right. Remove the overloads and leave the AirBags. Also check the coils to se if they are "Normal" and not some extra heavyduty locomotive springs. Good luck __________________ Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

09-26-2002, 10:22 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	H.D. springs...yes. If it is listed in your glovebox, then you probably have them. Helper springs.. Yes, they do not harm the ride in one bit. They don't even come into contacat untill you have 500 or so punds in the bed. Air Bags, no, not stock. I would leave them in what ever springs you instal, that way you can run deflated as daily driving, and then inflate them when it is time for your truck to go play truck.

09-27-2002, 05:50 AM	#5
70 3/4T beast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26	Yeah, I meant springs. I must have been thinking about saying I was replacing the shocks, too. I figured since we were going to be replacing the trailing arms, this is the time to change out the rear suspension components , too.



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