C10 rear suspension

[aintnoV8]

hello. im not very firmiliar with c10 pickups, so i was hoping you guys could give me some info. im looking for a chevy rear axle that was on a c10 pickup in the early 60's that had leaf springs. i have read in other forums that this was an option back then. i got a 57 chevy project truck and im looking for a better geared rear end (57 stock rear was a 3.90). can anyone tell me which year(s) had leaf springs. it would make my junk yard search a little easier if i had specific years. thanks.

[andrewmp6]

I know the 4x4 trucks had rear leafs and i think 3/4 ton up did too.

[N2TRUX]

aintnoV8 you may want to ask the guys in the 47-59 forum what fits your truck best, but I will offer the best advice I can. You need to know what width rear axle you have to get started. From what I know all of the 60-66 trucks were coil springs, with the earlier trucks having a smaller axle.

You will need to look at the 67 or later to find leaf spring axles. The 67-70 trucks came standard with coil spring, but leaf spring was an option. It seems to have been that "most" GMC came with leaf and "most" Chevies came with coil through that generation but not all.

Also note that the 67-68's had an axle that was 1.5" narrower that the 69+.

[aintnoV8]

well i have my measurements from my original axle. from backing plate to backing plate is 55 inches. iv talked to poeple about swapping newer rears from a 60's chevy and gmc. iv been told to go with certain years either camaro, nova, firebird, or chevelle, and s10. right now i picked up a s10 rear that measures BP to BP 52 inches. after searching some forums about swaping c10 rears they say they are wider and more dependable and easier to get a hold of. the only thing i know of off hand is that 4 wheel drive 60's pick ups came with leaf springs. so i guess this saturday i will be walking around and sliding under late 60's gmc pickups and getting BP to BP measurements.

[rpmgroup]

when i did my 55, i found a 12 bolt with the backing plates close to the 55 inches and cut and moved the spring perches. now days you should be able to purchase weld on perches. i think my came from a early 70 monte carlo.