The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop S10 Rear Springs

I have a 51 3100 with a 350/350 combo. I currently have a 77 Nova 10 Bolt 7.5 ring gear differential in it. I just got a 1980 Trans AM 10 Bolt Posi 3.08 Gear for free.
I am going to switch out the rear ends and while I am at it I have decided to ditch the stock 60 year old leaf springs and put in some S10 rear Leaf springs.
The S10 springs are about the same length but are 2 1/2" wide. I will fab up some mounting brackets and should be able to use the Trans AM spring pads.

My question is: there are 3 or more different S10 springs available. 3 Leaf, 4 Leaf, and 5 Leaf. Which ones should I go with?
I am more concerned with ride quality than load handling. I don't think I will ever be hauling much.

Any thoughts?

I would go with the 4 leaf. It will give you a smoother ride and not be as stiff as the 5. Just won't have the load capacity as the 5.
Frank Cox
Cox Custom Cars

I would go with the 4 leaf as well, good comprimise. 3 leaf is base 2wd, 4 leaf is HD 2wd/base 4x4, 5 leaf is HD 4x4. There is also a 3 leaf that is stiffer than the base 3 leaf, those are used on the ZQ8 sport suspension trucks.

I picked up a nice set of 4 leaf S10 springs yesterday for $20.00.
Now I need to go get some steel to start fabing my mounts.

FYI, the guy I got the Springs from is building a 1950 3100 and putting it on an S10 frame. The frame is all preped with the brackets, motor/trans. It looks great. It was just a coincidence that I got these springs from another "Old Truck Guy". I put a wanted ad in our local online classifieds and he gave me a call. It was pretty cool.

I got all of the old rear end, springs, mounts etc. removed yesterday and am in the process or measuring and mocking up the new rear end, springs mounts etc.
I have read that most people move the rear end back about 1.5" for a good visual centering in the fender, That is where I had my previous rear end located.
What is the most that I can move the rear and back and sill have it look good?
I will have tho move the new rear end back about 2.5" from the stock location in order to use my current drive line. If I put my new rear end in at 1.5" back I will have to get the drive line shortened.
Will 2.5" still allow for a good visual tire fender centering appearance?

Any thoughts about 1.5" VS 2.5"

Depending on trans setup you are running, there is some slack on the driveshaft spline. I would set the box on the frame to get your correct measurements / adjust driveshaft to suit.