I am restoring a 53' Chevy 1/2-ton truck model 3100. The rear suspension on this truck has a double leaf spring configuration that I cannot find in any of the parts suppliers online. It also does not show this configuration in the factory assembly manual or the shop manual for this year series. I have attached two photos of the rear axle and springs. Anybody have any ideas on what this is?
Those look like aftermarket overload springs (the shorter leaves on top.) They were designed to contact bumpers on brackets bolted to the frame after the main springs deflect a bit. The idea is that the truck rides like a stock suspension, but after the rear end squats a bit from a load, the second set of leaves engage to keep it from squatting all the way down to the frame bumpers. None were offered as stock springs for a '53 3100.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I believe Kevin is right. Although the factory did offer overload springs for your ‘53, they don’t look like that. My ‘52 3100 came with overload springs and they appear to be factory, listed on page 434 of the 1929-1954 Chevrolet Master Parts and Accessories Catalog under 7.503, Spring Assembly, Rear section. 47-54 Util 6 leaves (Aux Springs) Part 604934.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
I've got an early 1950s GMC long bed 1/2 ton frame with an almost identical overload system on it. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
OK. That explains why the replacement rubber bumpers I see offered by parts suppliers don't look like what I have. Since this is going to be a show truck and likely never see a load that would require the overload springs, I think I will just leave the replacement bumpers for these springs off all together. If the overload springs do contact the frame for some reason, I can always add them back on from under the truck.
Just remove the overloaders altogether. They will serve no purpose.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Leave them on if they are still good they don’t make a difference until you put some weight in the back then they stiffen up the origional suspension to make it easier on the truck.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
