Coil overs vs. Regular shocks

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

WFO

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Posts
3,406
Reaction score
4,466
Location
Texas Panhandle
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Can you please describe what you mean as 'control arms'? What may I ask are control arms? Sorry I though square body 2x2 trucks had A-frames so I'm confused.
I've certainly never heard of progressive springs for the front of these trucks...

Control arms, A frames, A arms, all the same thing.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,086
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
the lower shock mount on a 2wd uses the same metal to support the weight as the coil overs,

Umm... what planet it this thread from?
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,086
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
Control arms, A frames, A arms, all the same thing.
Oh...
well that's news to me thanks. I kinda thought they were something else... silly me.
 

deviant

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2015
Posts
11
Reaction score
2
Location
Augusta, GA
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C10 Bonanza
Engine Size
350
Can you please describe what you mean as 'control arms'? What may I ask are control arms? Sorry I though square body 2x2 trucks had A-frames so I'm confused.
I've certainly never heard of progressive springs for the front of these trucks...
The control arms are what holds your hubs on the front of the truck. You're referring to control arms as A-frames, as they're A-frame control arms. I'm running Eibach progressive drop springs on the front of my truck. It allows me to get a 5 inch drop on the front without ever bottoming out, since the springs stiffen more as they compress on bumps. It's very nearly the stock ride while its cruising along. Even better as the shocks I have are an improvement over stock shocks.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
I cant afford new.... i mean in a junk yard, ebay, or craigslist environment.... you should know that by now lol
Look for a half ton that came with a B.B. or a diesel. Or does yours have the big control arms? Putting spring over shocks on it is just a band aide and will give you weird driving characteristics. Ones you won’t like. IMHO that’s a half assed attempt to correct a weak spring issue. Springs aren’t that expensive. At the end of the day only one kidney is really needed. Lol
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
How can i tell???
Sheer size. The c20 stuff is much larger then the c10 stuff. I know yours is a c10 but I’m not sure if the Big10 came with C20 control arms or not.
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,587
Reaction score
24,002
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Sheer size. The c20 stuff is much larger then the c10 stuff. I know yours is a c10 but I’m not sure if the Big10 came with C20 control arms or not.
I could post a pic for you if you can tell by looking...?
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,587
Reaction score
24,002
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
But if theres visually that much of a differance id say my big ten doesnt have the big ones.... wich is wierd its the "heavy half" but isnt really made heavy...
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,086
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
But if theres visually that much of a differance id say my big ten doesnt have the big ones.... wich is wierd its the "heavy half" but isnt really made heavy...
It's just a little more capacity on the rear leafs and I think bigger rear brakes. GM could bypass the smogger rules by increasing the haul capacity. I had a '78 2x years back... great engine for the year, the 350 4 barrel. Flip the air cleaner lid for sure.
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,587
Reaction score
24,002
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
It's just a little more capacity on the rear leafs and I think bigger rear brakes. GM could bypass the smogger rules by increasing the haul capacity. I had a '78 2x years back... great engine for the year, the 350 4 barrel. Flip the air cleaner lid for sure.
It does sit high in the rear for sure...
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,127
Posts
909,750
Members
33,621
Latest member
kevbak88
Top