Going Back Up

[Butalla]

When I bought my 86 C10 SWB the previous owner had put a McCaughey's drop kit on it.  This included spindles and springs up front with an axle flip in back.  This is a little too low for me.  The 235/70R15 tires is front sometimes scrape the front fender and I want to put on 235/75R15 tires which is only going to make it worse.  I want to keep the spindles but return to stock springs.  My question is whether to use the standard 1/2 ton springs, or the 1/2 ton HD springs.  With a 350 engine, will the HD springs five a harsh ride?  I'd like the better handling but not if the ride gets too rough.  Also, will the HD springs make any difference in ride height compared to the standard springs?  Thanks for any input!

[bake74]

     You are talking just up front right with the HD springs compared to standard springs ?  The hd will be stiffer and give you just a tad bit more height, though I don't think by the naked eye you could tell the difference in height.  ( this is only because it will not droop as much when you put weight on them ), off the truck they should be the same.

[Butalla]

Thanks for the input.  Yes, I am referring to the front springs here.  Will the HD springs be harsh or just hug the road better?  Any experience?

[bake74]

     Personal experience no.  But have read enough threads on hear to say that 9 out of 10 people will say it will give you a harsher ride.  There is always that 1 out of 10 that likes a harsher ride, to them it probably feels more solid.

[Butalla]

Well I ended up using the standard stock springs from Napa rather than the heavy duty ones.  It was probably good as just to compress the spring and get everything connected again the truck I had problems with the truck not having enough weight and lifting off the jack stands.  I had to wedge a 2x6 from the frame to the garage ceiling to hold the truck down while I raised the lower control arm.  So now I have standard stock springs, the 2.5 inch drop spindles, Monroe SensaTrac shocks, and Michelin LTXM/S2 tires.  With this combination, I have great traction (got to test it first day out as it rained), a quiet ride with these tires, a firm but not harsh ride (not as harsh as the drop springs were but still hugs the road), and no loss of handling in turns which I had feared by changing the center of gravity.  I am very happy with the results at appreciate the suggestion of avoiding the HD springs as I'm sure they would have been harsh on my truck.  All in all, this is a great combination!

[bake74]

     Now all we need is some pics to see how it sits.

[Butalla]

I'll wait on the pictures until I have installed the parts to bring the back end up to a 4 inch drop.  It has a droopy back end with the 6 inch drop right now.