The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop BigBolt custom leaf springs

I have a 1954 Chevrolet 4500 short bus that needs new leaf springs, as they are worn out and sagging on the right side (front and rear). I would also like to lift the truck 3-6 inches, as well. I have future plans to make my bus a 4x4, with 2 1/2 ton Rockwell axles, 22.5 inch wheels and taller tires.

I am looking for a company that could make me some custom springs for this application. I may also want to soften the ride a bit to make the bus more comfortable to ride in.

Any help is much appreciated

I had custom springs made at http://www.eatonsprings.com/
They also had all the right attaching stuff, like spring pins, bushings, U-bolts, and shackles.

The springs I had made were for my 52 1 ton, but the rears I had made 2.5" wide instead of the stock 2". The fronts I had made with 2" of lift, to fit a newer front axle with more drop and still sit stock height.

If you want that much lift to fit bigger tires I suppose you could use essentilay stock front springs. But the rears will need a similar amount of lift built into them. Please don't be tempted to use "lift blocks" in the rear.

I am pretty sure Eaton Detroit Spring can do what you are asking.

One thing though, if you do switch to four wheel drive, the difference in the stock drop center front axle, and the Rockwell square tube may be more lift that you want. Lets say that your stock axle has about 3" drop from wheel centerline to spring pad, the Rockwell has about 4" tube, plus a cast spring pad on top of that. So, you go from a spring mount location 3" below wheel centerline to one 2.5" over centerline, there is an automatic 5.5" of lift in the front with the stock springs.

So, you need to finalize your plans and either swap front axles or not before you order springs.

Grigg

Thanks a lot for the good advice. I need to digest this information further, and do some measuring. I hadn't considered all of that, regarding the rockwells. I am trying to keep the bus running for now, and do the 4x4 conversion in stages.

I think I will take your advice, and replace the front springs with similar new ones. Not sure what to do about my sagging right rear leaf spring in the mean time.

Can you think of anything I can do to provide some temporary relief to the failing right rear spring? (a shackle, and airshock?) until I can get the front and rear rockwell axles, and make some accurate measurements? Otherwise I am just "guessing" how much rear lift I will need. I can't drive the bus as it is. The old girl sits lopsided, plus, some idiot had removed one of my upper right front shock mounts from the frame when I bought the bus. I need to either make one or find one before I can even safely drive this bus.

I saw your engine pictures. That is really cool. I did not know Detroit made a 4-53. I eventually need to upgrade my motor. I was thinking of trying to find a Duramax, but I don't know it would fit. An inline (straight) engine seems a better choice. a 5.9 Cummins would probably fit ok. The engine compartment is big, but not that big. A small block chevy looks like it would fit good. Not sure if a big block chevy would fit, considering the inner fenterwells in my 54.

Anyway, I can't wait to see your truck when it's finished, and how everything fits. Thanks again.