Hi all,

I've got a 1981 Chev C20 van that's camperized (just the tall top), and the leaf springs are very tired and need to be replaced. I was wondering if anyone could suggest an aftermarket replacement that would give me a bit stiffer spring than stock, as I tow a 6X12 enclosed trailer with my race bikes and it can get pretty heavy.

I figure the van must be on the same chassis as the pick-ups from the same year but if someone could confirm exactly which models would have the same springs it would be a great help for me so that I could order the right set.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

 

Higher spring rates in the rear will make the car more likely to over steer, not under steer. There is absolutely no question about that. It's the same thing as putting on a larger rear sway bar (which results in less under steer) - in both cases, the actual effect is that you've increased the wheel rate of the rear suspension, so the basic effect on handling will be the same.
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replacement auto parts

 

Ummm. Thanks?

But I really don't drive my 10+ foot tall, top-heavy camper van to the point of over- or under-steer, and even less so when pulling a 3000lb trailer, so I'm not so much concerned about the effect on handling of a higher spring rate, more so, I'm concerned with the tongue weight of the trailer causing me to bottom out over bumps on the highway when travelling at a safe speed in a straight line.

So, um, yeah. Anyways.

I found a great application guide from Eaton Springs that gave me all the information I needed.

http://www.eatonsprings.com/71-07Che...ationGuide.pdf

 

Try chuckstrucks.com, also consider installing a stock set with merely a spring leaf or two added.
Might do the trick, won't cost ya a million.

 

Did you mean : http://www.chuckstrucks.net/ ??

I found that the C30 uses the same springs and I can get a "stock" 7-leaf pack for that rated at 2600lbs, so I'll probably go that route, thanks for the help everyone!

 

Yeah, there what you said.

My 1/2 ton Dodge van springs were whupped, so I combined two sets of 3/4 ton van springs,the 4x4 stores have the pads and all the parts you need.

Upshot is I lovingly restored the leafs, one by one, grinding off the rust,priming, then I assembled it all, and bolted it to the van, it lifted the rear about 6" over stock! Bear in mind when I hit a speed bump prior to this, I'd rub the tires because the old springs were so gone.
To make matters worse, because I thought they'd be completely out of sight, I painted them pink for contrast with a leftover spray can. That didn't look too gay.

But that thing ran great, had a really solid feel to the rear suspension, and never got stuck in the snow.

 

I can only add when you prep your other set grind off all sharp edges also. Teflon strips or buttons can be added too.
. You have the long springs so you have lots of options. Grab a tape measure and measure the width,the length and from front mount bolt to center of axle. Go to parts yard in afternoon to look for your victim. Look for trucks that had a fifth wheel hitch in the bed as they usually have nice towing equipment.
. Grab the shocks too since you will have to remove them. I got a pair of sachs shocks ($200 retail) for $18 from a burb 2500 that made monroe look like toothpicks. Only had to narrow ends to fit. So less than $100 to go from 4 to 7 leaves and lifetime hd shocks.