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I have a 66 C-10 with coil springs that I use as a work truck. Sometimes I need to carry more than the stock springs can handle. Would it be better to put the auxilary overload leaf springs on it or could I replace the stock springs with a set of C-20 rear coils? I can get either but I wanted to see what my options were first.

66stepside,

Would air shocks be an option? I don't know if this is ancient technology, but I used them on a pickup and they allowed me to "pump up" for the occasional heavy load, then "deflate" for a nicer ride and everyday use.

Stuart

I'm working on a limited budget and not really going for anything fancy since this it is just a general purpose work truck. And the ride really isn't all that important to me either even though I drive it daily to school.

Moog Cargo Coils, Variable rate springs.
http://store.summitracing.com/defau...DDS=1&N=115&target=egnsearch.asp

I'm with Stuart on the air shocks- I think you could probably find something very reasonable through JC Whitney.

They make airbags that go inside the springs to give added strength too.
Scott

I don't mean to put down the folks that suggest air shocks, but air shocks and "load levelers"(coil-over shocks) are a VERY BAD IDEA for increasing payload capacity. Please understand that shock absorbers and the points they attach to were designed for dampening vibrations and bouncing but are NOT meant for or strong enough for supporting weight. Having said that, I realize that while some folks use them for a long time with no apparent problems, I have seen many shock mounts broken or severely damaged by them. The best and most safe way to accomplish your goal is to go with a product like the ones mentioned by "chuckthetruck"
Just my $.02
Gene

the cheapest thing to do would be to find a set of coils out of a deceased c20 of the same vintage. they will ride rougher when empty...but they will handle a greater load. that is what i would try first, i like cheap. good luck.

i got the overload springs i'll sell cheap if your source falls through.since the overload spring aren't in contact until the trucks loaded you'd get a better ride.

I went to a salvageyard today that deals in antique vehicles only. I found a deceased 64 GMC C-20 and robbed the coils from it. I'm going to have them sandblasted and painted and I'll swap them out for the stock springs. One more question: what will be my approximate load capacity? I was figuring around 2700 lbs. in the bed. And thanks for your advice.

Remember, you still have a 1/2 ton truck. The axle tubes and bearings aren't even close to a 3/4 tons capacity. The frame is also about 2 inched shorter too,
Scott

48 is right;it's the old "weakest Link principle. By using 3/4 ton springs,you make your rear axle bearings,and the axles themselves,the weakest link. If you then swapped in a 3/4 ton rear end,that could move the weak link to being the frame,or u-joint,or control arms...I'm sure you get the drift. You just need to consider the "what would go next" thought process when you upgrade or beef a component up.
Speed
BTW-I'd have gone with the overload springs-they don't affect your ride until you load the truck down.

the sets of overload springs at the salvage yard had long since seen better days and the C-20 coils were the cheaper option.