'49 front leaf springs

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picked up a '49 chevy 1/2ton this past weekend. front springs are SHOT.
been searching all over for best produect/best price on dropped springs.
i've looked everywhere from Brothers, Posies, CPP, Speedway, etc.
and looked at mono vs. full pack(lowered) springs.

Speedway and Posies both carry a "dual flex spring", basically just looks like 2 springs rather than just a mono or a full pack. good or bad?

keep reading about mono set-ups being dangerous...?

i'm setting this truck up to be a daily driver on Houston roads and freeways.
what are some recomendations as far as from who to order and the "mono vs. full pack" battle?

thanks,
Give me some tips!

Chris

[dwcsr]

nd read their tech info about mono leaf
http://www.eatonsprings.com/

[MrTucker]

Just my opinion, but I'd recommend going with a factory replacement. I've read that mono springs are great, but I've also read that they are junk. I have no experience with mono's so I cant really say.

But I can say that I've ridden in trucks that are 50+ year old trucks with the original "full leaf packs" that ride pretty well.

The factory design worked well and lasted for decades...it's hard to improve on that. But if you're looking to improve on 1950's performance standards, an IFS system is worth considering.

[winchster]

I have a full size ( c10 ) front saddle under mine that will be going away for my 4x4 conversion, so if you are interested in a cheap IFS. Let's say it rides better than the original did, that's for sure.

Edit: And when I say cheap I mean free, as in gratis, no charge, I'll help load it.

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actually, i was originally thinking going with the mono's, but then stumbled across that page on the eaton site...thats why i asked.
i've heard a ton of people say that ride great with no problems, but i'm planning on a daily driver....and most houston roads suck

thanks for the input.]
Chris

Originally Posted by dwcsr

nd read their tech info about mono leaf
http://www.eatonsprings.com/

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yea, i keep leaning more that way. i'd like it a tad lower than stock, but nothing thats unsafe. IFS is not in my timeline or budget right now.
this truck runs and drives, just needs some suspension work...and i have a bad habit of tearing things apart too fast so i'm trying to just get it on the road.

thanks,
Chris

Originally Posted by MrTucker

Just my opinion, but I'd recommend going with a factory replacement. I've read that mono springs are great, but I've also read that they are junk. I have no experience with mono's so I cant really say.

But I can say that I've ridden in trucks that are 50+ year old trucks with the original "full leaf packs" that ride pretty well.

The factory design worked well and lasted for decades...it's hard to improve on that. But if you're looking to improve on 1950's performance standards, an IFS system is worth considering.

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i was not aware that the full size c10 stuff would work on these....thought the frame widths were far too different?? (as far as the crossmember itself)
thanks for the offer. i may consider it after i hear more about this...

thanks,
Chris

Originally Posted by winchster

I have a full size ( c10 ) front saddle under mine that will be going away for my 4x4 conversion, so if you are interested in a cheap IFS. Let's say it rides better than the original did, that's for sure.

Edit: And when I say cheap I mean free, as in gratis, no charge, I'll help load it.

[MrTucker]

full size C10 stuff is too wide - if you want the front wheels to tuck inside the fenders. There's a truck on this site somewhere that did the C10 front IFS and IMHO it looks too wide for the fenders...but to each his/her own.

FYI, they make "full leaf packs" in 3" drops for the front, and 3"-5" drops for the rear. Check out Brothers, LMC, Classic Parts....they all have sets. But research what else is involved in this. I've read that when you use the drop front axle (3" drop) you have to modify the pitman arm.

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thats what i was thinking, i've got a '60 c10 (in peices) in my garage now and was swapping out to a later crossmember and was thinking that was WAY wide.

yea, if i go with a drop leaf pack it will be a full pack. i've read that if you do one or the other (drop axle w/stock leafs or stock axle w/drop leafs) you may be ok with steering issues...but i won't know 'till i get there.
yea, i'm not looking to go extreme drop on this...and with budget in mind the parallel leafs should work fine. i'm also not looking to do 90mph either, just good highway cruising, but safe.
thanks again,
Chris

Originally Posted by MrTucker

full size C10 stuff is too wide - if you want the front wheels to tuck inside the fenders. There's a truck on this site somewhere that did the C10 front IFS and IMHO it looks too wide for the fenders...but to each his/her own.

FYI, they make "full leaf packs" in 3" drops for the front, and 3"-5" drops for the rear. Check out Brothers, LMC, Classic Parts....they all have sets. But research what else is involved in this. I've read that when you use the drop front axle (3" drop) you have to modify the pitman arm.

[winchster]

I don't know about WAY too wide. Here is mine.



The front wheels stick out past the fender by less than 2". It matches the width on the back and IMHO it looks good, but that's why they make all kinds.

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Anything outside the wheel opening is too wide for me. Guess it would ok on a 4x4. Not my thing. Thanks for the input tho.


][/B][QUOTE=winchster;3822971]I don't know about WAY too wide. Here is mine.



The front wheels stick out past the fender by less than 2". It matches the width on the back and IMHO it looks good, but that's why they make all kinds.[/QUOTE]

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by winchster

I don't know about WAY too wide. Here is mine.

To clarify - I never meant to say C10 clipped front ends look bad. I just meant that if you want the front wheels to tuck inside the front fenders then it's too wide...

[Steve@OldSub.com]

I've seen some with a narrowed cross member and with wheels offset inside a bit that did fit inside the fenders. I'm not encouraging any one to do it, only suggesting that some of the problems can be overcome.

I'm building a 1-ton using a C-20 IFS and plan to widen the fenders to fit over the tires.

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Its only metal...anything is possible. Cut to match, beat to fit it.

Originally Posted by Steve@OldSub.com

I've seen some with a narrowed cross member and with wheels offset inside a bit that did fit inside the fenders. I'm not encouraging any one to do it, only suggesting that some of the problems can be overcome.

I'm building a 1-ton using a C-20 IFS and plan to widen the fenders to fit over the tires.