Hey guys...My second post..Aparently no one wanted to talk to me the first time. Got a 61 shortbed step. I want to lower the rearend some. Was wondering where I can get a kit, or if 1963 springs will work, and what all is involved. Thanks.
I haven't actually done this on a 60-66 truck, but if it was my truck I'd just replace the rear coil springs with shorter units. I'm surprised that Chevy duty doen't carry them, but check in classic Trucks magazine or Truckin' and I'm sure you'll find a source. Better yet, track down Eaton Spring, they should be able to get you whatever you desire in terms of lowering and type of ride. Good luck
Let me correct myself a bit. You don't necessarily need shorter springs, but springs that when compressed will lower your truck. Stock springs have a very stiff rate of compression, in other words, they don't compress very much until you get a heavy load on them. That's why these old trucks bounce like crazy unless you have a couple of railroad ties in the back. A spring that has a softer compression rate might actually be taller than a stock spring, but once installed would compress more than a stock spring and end up lowering the rear of the truck and having a softer ride. The down side is you couldn't carry as heavy a load. (Hope I explained this correctly.) If you just cut the rear springs to lower the truck the ride will be extremely harsh.
>Let me correct myself a bit. You don't necessarily need >shorter springs, but springs that when compressed will lower >your truck. Stock springs have a very stiff rate of >compression, in other words, they don't compress very much >until you get a heavy load on them. That's why these old >trucks bounce like crazy unless you have a couple of >railroad ties in the back. A spring that has a softer >compression rate might actually be taller than a stock >spring, but once installed would compress more than a stock >spring and end up lowering the rear of the truck and having >a softer ride. The down side is you couldn't carry as heavy >a load. (Hope I explained this correctly.) > >If you just cut the rear springs to lower the truck the ride >will be extremely harsh. NEVER cut springs ! What you are asking about is Lowering Springs. They are shorter than, but have the same load rating as the stock springs. So the truck has the same capability as it did before, it just sits lower. The link I emailed you has a ton of imformation on lowering trucks. DV
hey..me again...just wanted to let everyone know that I found some great stuff at http://www.classicperform.com/6092chevtrk.htm
