The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Leaf Springs

I have my 52 1/2 ton tore apart. The springs are shot. I have seen a huge difference in prices for springs on the net from $150 a pair from JC Whitney to $400+ from some AD truck vendors. This truck will be a daily driver. Any brand/supplier better than any other? I like stock height and of course my son wants to lower it some. I am open to all suggestions and experiences with suppliers. Yes I know that IFS is an option but again there is a huge variety of brands and prices. The truck will look restored but will have a v8, 700R4 combo in it so I can travel in traffic with some semblence of the speed limit. And of course the wife keeps my son and I on a budget!! Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions, Wayne

Here are a few of my ideas ...

If you are putting a v8 & tranny in the truck I would most definitely update to IFS.

However if you are worried about keeping up in traffic and are on a budget some rear gears / disc brakes and a little engine work would be a good route. This way you don't cut up a cool truck!

Not so sure I would trust the cheapest springs out there ... remember you get what you pay for. (well to a point that is).

Patricks offers a lowering spring which lowers the truck a couple of inches. I know these are excellent quality springs because I had a set but decided not to lower my truck.

Wayne,

I did a search of spring rebuilders in your area and found none. Chevy Duty listed a stock front spring for your truck at just under $100 each. A sponsor of this site, American Classic shows the same springs at almost $400 a pair if I recall properly. There is a recent thread where a member put Mono-leafs on his rig and loved them..it might be in another forum.

Stock springs with a few leaves removed and the heavier V-8 might give you a stance that suits your budget and your son's tastes.


Stuart.

you may wish to check out the ratios you'll need for your conversion

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=22;t=002497#000000

as far as springs go:

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi

Thanks everyone for all of the advice. I have checked ratios, tire size and such. The cost of rebuilding a 235 and updating rearend gears are way more than the $400.00 I gave for a pegged camaro with the EFI 305 v8 and 700R4 and rearend with low miles on it. I think I am going to go with stock height if I go with leaf springs. The truck will not be cut up other than adding a v8 and trans. crossmembers. I want it to look stock but have updated running gear. I have been looking at IFS but they seem very expensive and some reports of failures with these heavier trucks. Hopefully this weekend I will have the cab off. Thanks again, Wayne

Wayne,

I don't have all the details on your plan, but will mention this; I did a '51 pickup with 350 engine, TH350 tranny and 72 Nova rearend, complete with springs. I had the '51 front springs rebuilt to stock and used a stock front axle. The steering was Nova too..the truck went fast and looked cool, but on a bumpy road or highway, it took 110% of your attention to keep it on the road. This didn't appear to be a bump steer issue, but a spring rate difference between the Nova rear springs and the truck front springs. On smooth roads, it was like driving a big old Caddy. This was in the "pre-clip" era.


Stuart

atomarc,
If I need to start a new thread, I will.,BUT how did you hook up the nova steering to the straight axle?

49,

This was almost 25 years ago...let me refresh my brain cells and I will do a personal E-mail...If
I could send little drawings it would save a ton
of explanation.

Stuart

excellent!

Hey, wait a minute!!

If you're doing personal emails on the details of the steering swap, add me to your list, please? Thanks!!

mark
'51 KY 3100

hd 99 fxst at alltel dot net

I bought new front springs for my '37 through the Filling Station, they get them shipped right from the factory to your front door. Mine came from Benz Spring Co. Portland OR. 97239. You might check with them direct since you are fairly close. I was real happy with the quality and service from both company's.

Ask about getting teflon liner or pads added to them. It will smooth out the ride a bunch. I bought teflon from one of the venders on this site and added it myself. Joe