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

I've searched the archived posts and found some useful info on leaf spring replacements. But what hasn't been really disscussed is value for the price.

Who makes the best springs at the best price? So far the best price I've found is at Classic Parts (Chevy Duty). $129 each for the fronts, $189 each for the rears. Anyone know of a better deal?

I imagine the springs are all equal quality wise.

Are the Chevy duty springs complete or just replacement main springs?

In other posts I've said that IMHO if your springs are shot AND you aren't going for a bone stock restoration, you should upgrade to a wider spring, like the upgrade kit from Jim Carters.

NM51,

Why the wider spring? I will replace mine sometime. I have noticed a lot of those that are available are lowering springs. I don't care if mine are stock. I hope to upgrade the drivetrain with a 12 bolt, a 5-speed and disc brakes, but want a near stock ride height and don't want to loose the ability to put something in the bed.

You might want to check with a local spring shop in your area. They may surprise you with new springs on the shelf for less than the vintage vendors. That's what happened to me. Pulled in and drove off with 4 new springs for a good price and built locally.

You would be even more surprised to know that there are very few spring makers in the USA. Most spring shops get them from St Louis spring around here. I alway go to Davenport spring, my local company. They get there stuff from St louis spring, plus they have all the other bits and pieces you need like bolts and bushings. I've always found them to be cheaper than the catalog places.

A well known aftermarket spring manufacturer in the states quoted me close to $500 for the rear set plus another $95 for the shackles/bolts.
Here in Canada I was quoted $600 from my local spring shop for the rears. A lot of the catalogs list them at about $150 so I wonder what the difference is.

Yeah, that was my concern. The springs in the vintage catalogs are priced very well compared to the spring shops. Eaton springs priced me 400 pair of rears, 360 pair of fronts.

If you are looking to lower your ride there is a large selection, but there isn't much in the way of stock replacements. I plan on going to disc brakes, but I like my straight axle and ride height. I'll call the local shops and get a quote. If anyone has one of these aftermarket kits let us know what the quality is like.

Thank you guys, there have been some very kind stovebolters willing to help me out with their replaced sets. I'm weighing all options right now. Thank you all.

I agree with the advice to check locally. I got my springs from Tulsa Spring, right off the shelf, and cheaper than Chevy Duty. Those things are heavy, I hate to think how much shipping would have been from Kansas City.