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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,136 Posts1,056,745 Members48,454 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Aug 2021 Posts: 174 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2021 Posts: 174 | I have a 51-53 (not sure of the year) chevy chassis 1/2 ton, I picked up for parts, and it has an extra set of leaf springs mounted above the rear axle. They are approx. 3 feet in length, frame bumpers are there too. Were these a factory option, an aftermarket thing, or is this chassis a different tonnage? Also is there any value to this setup as I wont be using it and would rather see it go to a new home rather than the scrap pile. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | In 1952 (trucks) a heavy duty set of rear springs was available as RPO-254. 1952 Chevrolet Trucks RPOs.It had 8 leaves instead of the standard 7-leaves-pack.
Last edited by tclederman; 04/04/2022 12:12 AM. Reason: mistyped the RPO number - thanks buoymaker
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 Curmudgeon | | Curmudgeon Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 | RPO-254 maybe? https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1410998.htmlThere are added springs for extra loading that function all the time. There are springs that do nothing until the weight on the rear is heavy enough to make contact. There are low cost add-on non GM versions. There are junkyard coil springs added (welded on) because the old leaf springs are sagging. Old work trucks can see almost anything in their lifetime. The stock 1/2 ton without spring options will have 8 leaf rear springs gm part number 3683317 (please verify).
Last edited by buoymaker; 04/03/2022 10:44 PM.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use."
"I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | I had a set of those on my '53 3100 panel. I got 50 cents a pound for them. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2021 Posts: 174 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2021 Posts: 174 | The second picture from Buoymaker is the set-up that was on this Frame. I guess they're headed for the scrap pile. Thanks for the info | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 Curmudgeon | | Curmudgeon Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 | On the farm with a load of hay, rocks, fertilizer or pulling a trailer, those springs come in handy.
It can keep the tongue from bottoming out in a situation where there is a ditch or a depression in a paved parking lot.
They are still used on new trucks today by people who pull a ski boat or a trailer loaded with a tractor.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use."
"I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
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