The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1950 Front Leaf Springs

Looking for new front springs for my 1950 1 ton. Called a few places and they all seem to have no problem coming up with 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton springs, but not the 1 ton. Just wondering if anyone has an idea where to go for these. I live in Minneapolis so a place close to home would be nice, but I will go where I can find them. New U-bolts would also be needed i'm sure. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Tom

A spring shop will make a new leaf or the whole stack from scratch
A place just 40 min from me said they prefer to work from a pattern seeing the original one to get the knuckles just right but could also work with just a description and measurements.
This same place informed me that the front springs for the 1 ton are no longer a stocked/order-able part in North America
I suspect pretty much all shops have the same few suppliers and if their catalogs don’t list it anymore it can’t be ordered
So our only choices are, get one made, find one in a junk yard, hack a home made solution from some other spring that is close enough to work... but I don’t know about that last one as I’ve never found a suitable replacement.

If anyone has more insight for this spring please let us know
Because I’m gonna need a couple more soon as well.
But I’m happy getting new ones made because the price I was quoted seemed reasonable.
Thanks
-Stan

Thanks Stan, i will star looking for a shop somewhere that may be able to make them. I did see Eaton Detroit Spring shows on the website they can make them. Has anyone purchased from them in the past and are their products good? Their description however for the right year and model list 9 leaves in the spring pack, my truck only has 7 leaves in the front springs. Too bad these are no longer available from most places now that I need them. The hunt will continue. Tom

The 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton front springs are the same, and yes they are available nearly everywhere. I agree with the others that you should be able to have them custom made. As far as I know Eaton Detroit has a good reputation. But there might be a local shop, probably in Minneapolis that does that.

You could probably use the narrower 1/2 or 3/4 ton front springs with spacers on the 1 ton
If you don’t intend on using it to the full weight capacity
It should work right?
The front end of the 3/4 ton is likely the same weight as a 1 ton, everything is the same above the axle pretty much.
-s

St Louis Spring. www.stlouisspring.com They blow Eaton Detroit away on pricing and they're US made with Canadian steel. They can make anything you want.

I prefer Eaton Detroit Springs for spring sets, and I once used ESPO Springs & Things for shackle assemblies - a third good company to consider/compare.

I used City Spring in Edmonton. I got a copy of the original spec sheets for my 1 tons front springs and they whipped me up a set in a couple days. I think the closest one to you, though, would be in Regina, Saskatchewan. Might be cheaper than US made? Our dollar is pretty low right now vs US dollar. $1 vs $1.35 ish.

I also used St. Louis Spring company for new springs on my 1950 3800. They made them in 24 hours, and luckily, I live 2 hours away and was able to pick them up the next day. I also got a tour of their shop - super nice folks. They supply Jim Carter's as well. Highly recommend them!

I have also heard many good things about St. Louis Spring.
Been open since 1945.
But they are located in the more, let's say, questionable area of St. Louis?
So you have to call before you go to pick up during the daytime.

Don

The 3800 springs are wider and longer than 3100 & 3600 springs...
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0202.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0316.htm
I should have mentioned St. Louis Spring, but I forgot. I got a good quote from them for new front springs for my 3600 years ago. And they have a good rep.

Thank you to everyone for all the quick responses, I will get this project going soon, winter is gone from the Twin Cities ( I hope) so it's truck driving time. Also have new shocks waiting to be installed. i will check with all places listed above, see where my best deal is. If anyone can think of anything else that may be beneficial to this project, please join in. Thanks again, Tom

Has anyone tried having existing springs re-arched? If the leaves aren't too worn I would hope that could work.

I have no personal experience, but I know it has been done, and there are shops that can/will do it. I have read similar discussions on the HAMB and other boards.
The shop may prefer to sell you new springs instead of re-arching yours. And that might be the more economical choice.

I've heard it said, but no documentation, that re-arched springs to not hold up well for long period of time..... but of course companys want to sell you shelf of regular production stuff........just saying.

No reason why re-arched springs would perform any differently than original. The metallurgy isn't changed. They did get into the yield range when re-arched, but not enough to affect the fatigue life of the base metal. If they were re-arched multiple times (like 100), then it might be a different story. That statement is a marketing ploy, IMO.

I ended up ordering new springs from St. Louis Spring. I ordered them this past Monday, got a call from them on Wednesday saying they were ready to ship, they arrived just an hour or so at my house. Look great, the guys I talked with were very helpful in determining the exact spring for the vehicle. Came with new bushings in the spring eye's, all nicely painted, cant wait to get them in the truck. Maybe I did too much worrying about where to get new springs when I started this post just 8 days ago, but just like that I have new front springs for my 1950 1 ton. Thanks to all of you for your advice and recommendations. Everyone have a safe and healthy weekend. Tom

Excellent! It feels great, doesn’t it? I love bolting on new parts. That’s a LOT of fun.

Thats the way i do it (new springs)! Cost is about the same figureing time, even if i do it my self!

I used St Louis Spring for my 50 and they're the best. The shipped to NC and answered my questions a year later.

This good news!

Yesterday, I ordered front and rear springs for the '47 from the St. Louis Spring Company. The owners are very knowledgeable, very happy to answer questions and make recommendations.

I'd consider replacing the Shackle bushings as well. RockAuto has them, I put the bushings in the freezer overnight and the cleaned up shackle in the oven at 350 for 30m. The bushings slipped in with minimal encouragement.

Did you have trouble removing shackle bushings? I have already replaced rear shackle bushings but seems the front ones are being more difficult. Any suggestions?

What truck are you working on? I've used the method recommended by Pre '68 Dave and it's never failed me. CLICK: Spring Shackle Bushing Replacement

I used Pre ‘68 Dave’s method on my spring bushings and it worked perfectly.

Replacing the leaf spring and shackle bushings on my 1T was a real PIA. Its not so much getting the bushing out of the shackle, but more getting the 7/8" stainless pin out from where it has resided for 70 years. Once out, I used a hack saw blade to cut the bushing in half. Dave's method should work as well.

I have a 1953 3600 that I will be updating and converting to 4WD. This will be my 3rd 2WD to 4WD conversion.....but 1st conversion on an advance design truck. I will not be using NAPCO parts. I am considering installing 2" wide 3800 front springs in my 3600 to handle the additional weight of the drivetrain and to better fit the 4WD axle. Is it possible to install the wider and longer 3800 springs on a 3600? Are the 2" shackles and spring hangers available? Are the rear hangers in a different location to accommodate the longer 3800 spring. Or alternately, I could have 2" wide springs made by St. Louis Spring Company to match the length of the 3600 springs. Thanks for the help.