Big 10 SWB?

[txtj79]

According to my RPO codes (F44), my truck is a 1980 "Big Ten"  This means I have heavy-duty rear suspension, right?  Is this common on a short bed?  What about the front springs, would they be the same as a regular half-ton?

Thanks,

T.J.

[bowtieguy]

According to my RPO codes (F44), my truck is a 1980 "Big Ten"  This means I have heavy-duty rear suspension, right?  Is this common on a short bed?  What about the front springs, would they be the same as a regular half-ton?

Thanks,

T.J.

I have seen a few in the past.  Short beds in my area are rare them selves. Your springs would be the same as any other Big10.  I think my Big10 has 8 springs on each side.  How many does a standard half ton have? 4? or 6?

[jonkmbll89]

1/2 ton has 4 leafs.

[qboy]

My 1/2 ton has 2 leafs in the front and 6 in the rear.   I'm going to take out the third one from the top to try and soften up the rear a little.

[txtj79]

Thanks for the responses.  At first I thoughth it didn't make sense for a swb to have "heavy duty" suspension.  But  I guess GM did make them that way.  I'm trying to restore the truck to the correct ride height and just wanted to make sure.  I'm even thinking about put some bigger springs up front to level it out a bit like a 3/4 ton truck.  Thanks for the help.

[Fordeatinz71]

heck, they even made 'em in stepside...

[jonkmbll89]

That would be nice to have.

[Captkaos]

Big 10 Trucks were 1/2T trucks with 3/4T carrying capacity/payload.  They HD suspension was very popular on SWB trucks.

My 1/2 ton has 2 leafs in the front and 6 in the rear.   I'm going to take out the third one from the top to try and soften up the rear a little.

Take out the bottom springs not the top ones.

[Fordeatinz71]

yes, that would be VERY nice to have. 

[Lt.Del]

Big 10 long wheel base...my 79 http://www.delbridge.net/chevy

[Fordeatinz71]

yep, i've looked at your page before...nice trucks!