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| | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 293 | What is the spring rate for the stock rear springs under my '57 Suburban?
I would like to know as a baseline before I buy new springs: I find the stock springs a bit stiff, so I would be able to get springs a bit softer...
Thanks!
'57 Chevy Suburban; '70 Chevy Impala.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Don't mess with mother nature. All trucks bounce in rear when not loaded. Let some air out of the rear tires 
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 293 | Thanks, Tclerderman!
Bartamos, I am worried about riding on the rims...
'57 Chevy Suburban; '70 Chevy Impala.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 506 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 506 | Wave;
Depends on what you want to be able to do with your Burb. If it will just be a cruiser and won't be called upon to carry a full load of people and stuff, I'm sure you can find some softer springs. I have seen mono leaf springs that will lower the truck as well.
If you want your Burb to still be useable as a truck, like I do, I'd get stock replacement springs if necessary or just keep the ones you have. I've never found my 58 to be stiff or uncomfortable. Always seems to ride nicely to me.
Thanks
Larry
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Good advice, Larry
I remember driving my Suburban at the ATHS show in Balt/MD and at the ATCA show in Macungie/PA with 6 big-boy passengers. The 1,500+ human-weight load was noticeable on corners, and when braking. In PA, it was nice have the SM420 sub-low gear.
Previous to those events, the last time I had a full load of people (hippies) was on a 500 mile trip down to Atlanta Georgia to see the Grateful Dead in 1973. I do not remember much about that trip, or even how well the truck drove.
Softer springs have never been in my mind or in my plans.
"If it will just be a cruiser and won't be called upon to carry a full load of people and stuff, I'm sure you can find some softer springs." (Larry)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 293 | Gratefull Dead in '73, nice memories, what little there is!
Anyway, my Suburban does not have back seats, and it will mostly see camping gear in the back, so... And I did sya "a bit softer".
And knowing the OEM spring rate helps me think about it all.
Thanks for the input, anyway!
'57 Chevy Suburban; '70 Chevy Impala.
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