Hey guys, as some of you may know, we have a 1950 Chevy 3100 that we are working on. My family has owned this truck since 1985 and before us it was an Iowa farm truck. Eventually an engine swap is in the works and the plan was a 230 with an SM-326 from a 1970 C-10. I know I have to get a different rear axle. Now, I want to use a 235 so I can keep my bellhousing. But the point of this long winded thread is this, has anyone ever seen rear spring overloads like these? I’m guessing they are aftermarket, but they have been there for a long time. I want to remove them, they will have to come off for the swap, but, I’m going to run the 216 and torque tube for this summer, or until I find a 235/261. Can I just remove the u-bolts holding the overload spring bracket to the axle housing? I would think it might ride better without them. Thanks for your help.
Could they be factory heavy duty springs? Are there brackets attached to the outside of frame rails, where the ends of the overloads contact? If so, are these brackets bolted or riveted to the frame?
They are over loads, just unbolt them and remove them. When unloaded, they are just along for the ride.
They're on every farm truck in Idaho. Sold by dozens of manufacturers, any blacksmith or spring shop could make up a set.
Optional overload springs. The pictures show this poor truck was pretty severely over loaded. The original springs are deformed (see photo #2) caused by bending the springs beyond their design limits. I would definitely get rid of those overload springs. Then, take the original springs to a spring shop and have them re-arched to original specs. These little trucks had a pretty decent ride quality but were not made to carry the kind of weight this truck obviously had to endure. Check the frame for bends and cracks , too. If you can find one of these trucks in a salvage yard you may be able to find a good pair. The spring leaves should stack together with no gaps or reverse bends when the center bolt is tight..
Yea , take them off. My 52 Ford had overload springs. They were not listed in ch***is manual, but as stated, were offered by aftermarket companies , as well as local blacksmiths, or even homecooked. As suggested , do have original springs redone.
Oh we're not retaining those springs, we're going fully adjustable coilovers and ladder bars, to handle the hard launch from the ls we're putting in it
Just take them off and get better mileage . I don't know Ad trucks well, but what about getting a TF truck rusted or crashed for the drive train (then hunt down an o/d trans)....not sure if it's a bolt in deal or not.
Thank you Guys for your responses. The overload springs rest directly on the frame when they come into play and the spots they contact are clean, so I’m guessing they touch the frame when driving on our bumpy country back roads. Glenn, from my quick inspection of the rear suspension, I completely agree with you, this old Girl did Chevy 3800 or C-30 type work. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if she hauled cattle or lots of pigs. Lloyd, if we put an LS, in it, it would be an early 1970’s 454!! That’s the only kind of LS I recognize! . If we coil over it, we will put a 9” in it with discs!! 1Oldtimer, will a Task Force rear axle fit into a AD truck with minimal fab work?
Check out this thread: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...lug-diff-swap-question.1018472/#post-11513755
My 48 had the same ones on it as did half the 47/54 Chevy trucks made did. the beauty of those is that they didn't affect the ride running empty except for the 50 something lbs of added unsprung weight. When you put a load on it it settled down until the overloads come into play. I was wishing I had left mine on when I was towing a 16 ft Uhaul trailer from Texas to Washington in 1977. It will probably ride smoother without them simply from the unsprung weight reduction
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