The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1937 Chevy half ton overload springs

My '37 had them when I got it and when taking apart it was stamped with GC so did they come from the factory,looking through some factory info I could not find anything about them being optional on half tons only 1 1/2 tons.

It seems odd an overload spring accessory is not listed in any of the Chevrolet Master Parts catalogs specific to that model truck or the accessory list or the 1937 Salesman Handbook. I recall checking into this with ChevNut many years ago while working restoration of my ‘46. ChevNut served decades as Chevrolet dealer parts man and guru of Chevrolet parts on the VCCA website . I think I recall he even posted replies to others about this question? Maybe a search on the VCCA website will help? To be clear, aftermarket independent vendors did offer the overload springs for many year models. These are fairly common.

My '37 1/2t had them when I pulled it out of the hedge row. I don't know if they were marked or not, I threw them out, they were worn and not all the frame mounts were still there. I still have the wear marks on the frame.

I think my truck was ordered as a cab and chassis unless there was a factory flat bed,no heater or other accessories and since it had a aftermarket heater and since I could not find any info on the overload springs I thought they could have been aftermarket. I kept the springs since I think they could be used to rebuild the front springs when needed.

Jeff - Can you post pictures of the overload springs and spring mounts? It might help as a reference for searching for info.

I will have to look for them,its been over 10 years since I seen them.

No hurry Jeff.

Merry Christmas!

I would like to see just what all options were available on all the trucks but nothing I have read had that info.

Jeff - Just a little update since I had some time before the sun came up this morning to do a bit more research through the resources I have access to.

After reading through GM Heritage documents, Parts books, Maintenance manuals, a 1937 Chevrolet Truck Owners Manual and Chevrolet Tech and Service bulletins, the only reference I could find to rear axle "auxiliary springs" points to them only being available from Chevrolet for the 1-1/2 ton truck line models. Some screenshots below point to the basic info I found. The reference in the owners manual doesn't say which models the special equipment auxiliary springs apply to, but the listed spring rate matches the ones listed for 1-1/2 ton trucks in the 1937 Chevrolet Truck PDF from the GM Heritage Center files.

It is very possible that some aftermarket company offered overload springs that may have been installed on your '37 GC, or they could be adapted from later Chevrolet 1/2 tons as we can confirm many 1941-46 trucks have had them???

If the mounts and springs are Chevrolet items, somewhere they will most likely have a casting number that might help us trace them down. Until then, Happy Holidays!

The next time the truck is out of the garage I can get in the attic to find them,if my memory is correct I seen GC stamped in the part the springs attached to that mounted it the rear end so I presumed it was factory.

A friend of mine in Redbud ILL had a 1936 GMC that had overload springs installed, they looked original to the truck.

I would hesitate putting them back on and for others considering that addition.

Long ago a friend of mine had a 52 half ton that he was using to haul 300 gal. of water when the well went dry. After a while the frame cracked in the middle of the bend between the spring shackles. The Auxiliary springs were bolted to the frame somewhat short of the shackles. He got the frame welded and we used my 1-ton for the rest of the summer with the same tank.

My ‘37 GC has the rear overloads and the 4 speed. The 3/4 and 1 ton was added later in the year and not even listed in the GM heritage ‘37 specifications sheets. I think earlier purchases opted for the 4 speed and spring setup when they wanted a heavy half but didn’t quite want a 1 1/2 ton. I assume the top plate of the U bolts were replaced with ones like my picture for extra mounting bolt holes and flat area and center alignment hole for the spring to sit on. The u bolts are short squarish one similar to the front axle instead of rounded. I could not find GC or anything stamped on the springs or cast into the casting of the mounts…but not to say they weren’t there on the cast looking at its condition. There were also bumpers riveted to the frame but mine no longer have any rubber in the cup. I’m keeping them jut for looks but this old girl will never get loaded to this extent.