Snow plow springs

[Roger in Republic]

I am looking at a 1994 short bed C-15. Z-71 to use as a snowplow truck. The plow will be a medium service 7 foot blade and I need to know if the stock Z-71 front springs are up to the task. We use the plow truck to plow a quarter mile driveway and a fair sized parking area. At times the snow gets a little heavy but most often it is dry powder. If you think I should upgrade the front coils could you give me a couple of sources

Thanks, Roger

[95 S_Trucker]

I'm a little confused by your post. Are you meaning c15? On these trucks(and all gm trucks) c=2wd and k=4wd. And z71 was only offered on 4wd models in this era.

So, do you have a c1500? Or k1500?

Also, 4wd trucks don't have conventional springs, they have torsion bars. Z71 does not affect the torsion bars. The torsion bars are the same. Z71 has upgraded shocks, skidplates, and tires 1 size bigger.

Long story short, the torsion bars will hold the truck and the plow. They are adjustable. You'll need an alignment any time you adjust them. Just make sure you put weight in the bed when you have the plow on, at least 4-500 pounds.

[Ol Blue K20]

^agreed with the above post. Torsion bars not springs

[Roger in Republic]

Thanks for the info. My current truck is a 1977 half ton 4X4. I have not purchased the new truck so I did not inspect it for suspension type. Nice to know that it will not need new springs. As a mopar man for years I am familiar with the beauty of torsion bars. And it must be a K-1500 as it is obviously a four wheel drive.

Thanks for the INFO.

PS. perhaps the T/B thing is the reason nobody had any heavy duty coil springs for that year K-1500.

[special-K]

The only reason you'd need heavier suspension is for the added weight of the plow. How heavy the snow is doesn't play into suspension because you don't lift or carry it. Pushing it do. It doesn't bare weight down on the truck, but it does put a lot more strain on everything on the lateral plain