Rear Stock Springs '77 Chevy

NoLegs · November 18, 2001

Just got a '77 Truck, but the left rear leaf has 2 busted leafs on it. From what the guy told me, they are stock springs and the truck is just lifted with blocks on the rear (yes, it has blocks).

I don't really want to buy a new set, because I would like to put a whole new suspension system in it one day that would lift the truck with "lifted springs" in the back and don't want to waste money on a set of springs that will just be taken off.

I noticed in a copy of "LMC Truck" that replacement springs are ~$100/piece. I figure I should be able to find a set in a junkyard for less than $50/pair.

Does this seem like a good idea (the junkyard idea) or what? What should I look for in another set of springs besides if they look identical to mine or not?

Torque Junkie · November 19, 2001

I would immagine you could find a decent set in a junk yard for pretty cheap.

Or you can look at this as a time to loose the blocks and invest in lift leafs....

How much lift are you running?

-Mike

76BBSub · November 19, 2001

You might even be able to get a set for less than $50, depends on how the yards are in your area.

I recommend that you buy both sides from the same truck. Sometimes even if they look the same as yours they may have a different spring rate, or may have worn or settled differently from yours. You definitely want a matched set for safety and control.

Good Luck!

Jeff

NoLegs · November 20, 2001

Junkyards around here are kind of "proud" of what they have, I ended up paying $50/ea for a set off an '86 Burb.

I could have spent $100 more and got a new set, but I need to get some springs on it now before the snow really starts coming down and I wind up pulling someone out and popping the other leafs.

Like I said, I just got the truck and it looks like I'm sitting ~6 inches over stock. I'll post a pic of it tomorrow, it gets dark about an hour after I get home so I have to wait for the sun to come up again

NoLegs · November 22, 2001

These leafs are a pain in the arse to change, I tried to do it in my driveway, but gave up when I realized that I just couldn't get the truck body high enough to the let the rear end drop so I could remove the spring.

I'm gonna bring it up to the garage here Friday so I can put it on a lift, plus they'll have some better tools to work with (it was a major pain removing those 4 U-Bolt nuts with just a 15/16" wrench).

Also, I posted a couple of pics of the future "Beast" in the Picture Post Forum.

Wish me luck.