The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 51 Chevy 6400 Leaf Springs

New guy here! My first post to a forum of ANY kind!

I recently purchased a 1951 Chevy 6400. AZ truck with a Dump bed. I pulled off the bed and am hoping to build a drivable big boy flatbed with moderns suspension and drive train. I have a 1983 P30 chassis that is donating the Dana 70 and have been reading all of the posts about front Disc brake conversions. Randy Dobeck's kit seems the easiest.....

My question is regarding replacement leaf springs. I've searched all of the posts and the internet in general, but all I'm seeing is leaf springs and parts for 1/2 tons. Where can you purchase leafs and components for 2 tons? Any suggestions regarding number of leafs, etc? I won't be hauling major loads, just car shows, general towing (I bought it to tow my 54 Chevy 210), etc....

Any info is helpful! Thanks!

Welcome to the forum impalaken68. With the original springs and the P30 springs can you use a combination to come up with something that would work for you? Or you may a have to find a shop that can custom fab truck springs. Here in the midwest there are still a few spring shops.

I'm sure these guys can get you OEM or build you something custom

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/

The p-30 front springs don't seem useful for the 51 6400, I've done that comparison, the new ones are very much longer.

I had Eaton Detroit Spring make new ones for my 6400, in my case somewhat custom, but as stock was an option from them also.

Grigg

Thanks to all for the information!

I thought about it after I posted this and realized I could have provided more information.... The P30 chassis I have is IFS, not I-beam, which is why I said it was donating the Rear axle and not the front. I don't think any of the IFS parts would be usable, and the frame is WAY too wide to splice.

If I could find a I-Beam front end, I might try the Spindle swap but I can't find one anywhere (sounds familiar to other posts I've read).

impalaken68 Go to your local spring shop,where they can re-arch them and make what you need, Ask OTR trucker friends where it is,we have a big one in Terre HAUTE in. They can hurt big truck springs,just local guys that know what to do ! T.H. Indiana.