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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 57 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2009 Posts: 57 | Hi guys,
I have a 66 c20 with stock coil springs at all four corners. I replaced the front springs with stock c20 (3/4 ton) springs. This truck has become my daily driver, but on the freeway she can "kick" ya a bit on the bumps. Yes, I realize this is a 3/4 ton pickup and made to haul stuff on the farm, but was wondering if I replaced the rears with c10 (1/2 ton springs) if my ride would improve?
Will they fit?
Will the ride height be different?
Will I notice a difference?
She is a 66 c20, 350, 4 speed manual, 3:54 ring/pinion.
Thanks much!!! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 321 | Yes, the springs will fit. The ride height will be about the same (when empty of course). Yes, you will notice a difference. The ride should improve. The half tons are nice riding trucks, just really meager on the payload, but comfortable down the highway.
1963 Chevy C20 Longbed Stepside
1978 Chevy K30 Custom Deluxe
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 734 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 734 | When my 65 C20 had the stock springs all the way around, it rode real nice on the freeway. What kind of tires do you have? I had some passenger tires on mine and it was great. Personally, I think you'll probably notice more difference with tires. I tried a D range truck tire after the passenger tire and it was not pleasant. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | You want to be very cautios using P rated tires on truck, especially a 3/4 or 1 ton. If the rated capacity is too low, the tires can blow out on you. You also need to stay on top of the tire pressures, which will have to be run far lower than what the OE truck tires would run due to the lighter construction. Load capacity will be greatly reduced, potentially to just weight of the truck plus passengers depending on tire size/rating.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 321 | Like Bill said, using P rated tires on trucks is tricky. I have some on my '71 C10, but I do absolutely NO hauling with it, just highway driving. Personally, I wouldn't run them on anything other than a half ton. But mugsy is right, they do make a difference on the ride.
1963 Chevy C20 Longbed Stepside
1978 Chevy K30 Custom Deluxe
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 45 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 45 | I changed out the springs in my C20 to C10 and glad I did....a proper pair of shocks will also help so stay away from "perf/handling" type shocks. I used an OEM spec KYB shock | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 57 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2009 Posts: 57 | thank you guys much!
I think I might try the c-10 springs in the rear.
I have to check what tires I have. I work at a local water district, and we have about 75 1/2 ton trucks in our fleet. As you can imagine we have a large "scrap" pile of tires. I grabbed the best ones out of the scrap pile I could find. They are 235/85/16, but not sure of the load range. I will check though. I would imagine since they came off half tons, they are probably load range D.
Thanks again! | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 57 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2009 Posts: 57 | son of a bi#*h!
I have "E" rated tires on her. That has got to be hurting my ride. Now the search begins for 235/85/16 in a "D" rated or lower.
Thanks again guys... | | |
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