6066 (1960-1966) GMC Truck Club Bitcoin now accepted here! 
Pay Dues
Pay Dues or become a Site Supporter
 



Go Back   6066 (1960-1966) GMC Truck Club > 6066 GMC Truck Club Forum > Wheels, Tires, Suspension and Brakes
#Sponsored

Wheels, Tires, Suspension and Brakes Keep them doggies rollin', rawhide

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old September 19th, 2023, 10:33 PM
Simonsays Simonsays is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Los Angeles california
Truck: 1966 3/4 ton
Posts: 20
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Rep Power: 28
Simonsays is on a distinguished road
Default Eaton spring experience / review

1966 GMC 1500 truck, coils in front, leafs in rear.

So rear leafs seemed to have a 10 leaf count that seemed extra stiff even for a 3/4 ton truck. Called eaton Detroit springs and ordered a set of c20 3/4 ton springs, original spring rate of 2000lbs. Original height, springs looked well made, middle bolt was loose but I tighten it to match the other side. Install on left passenger side was a breeze, no issues. Got to the right side and found the spring to be a bit tweaked, took a while but got them installed. It took a few weeks to realize I should have painted them, they rusted at least on the surface rather fast. Felt the ride difference, smoother and not jarring. Only problem is that right side I believe lays a bit flatter the then left as it has a slight lean.

On to the fronts, that had heavy duty springs per chevy 3/4 ton standards but GMC called them regular weight eaton MC2022. They arrived and looked identical to the ones I took off the truck, from height to coil thickness and pig tail end orientation. Perfect duplicate. But I wanted a lighter spring rate.

So I discovered that Eaton has GMC spring rate 1018lbs MC2022 as standard duty for that year. And heavy duty was even higher in spring weight.

For some reason the chevy c20 version has MC1766 rated at 710 lbs spring rate and the MC2022 as heavy-duty. Only thing I could figure is the engines the GMC version 351e is heavier then the engines in the chevy c20 version. But I have a sbc350 so I went with the lighter MC1766 version which us standard duty in the chevy c20.

Well I have the MC2022 sitting waiting for the MC1766 version to arrive. They finally do and when compared to the MC2022 version they are a bit taller and the thickness is thinner which makes sense since they take the different weight to compress. But the D shape end at the top and the pig tail at the bottom are in a different orientation then the original and the MC2022 heavy-duty spring.

Common sense would tell me I was going to have issues putting them in and I decided to call eaton springs. So I told them about my concerns regarding the orientation of the spring ends, they stated that's the way they all are, with not much other advise other then I can return them. Or try them because they should fit.

Surprise, I was right the orientation at the bottom would not allow them to fully seat in the cup in the spring tower. Well it took me a long time and with a come along and dropping the spring back out resetting and using the weight of the truck I forced them in. I still dont believe they are in correctly but the d shape in the tower was in and the lower control arm was in. So I moved on to the other side. Holy smokes, compared to the first coil the second was even more difficult. Took forever.

Finally got everything button up and took a test drive. Felt smoother for sure, I feel if I get better shocks I can improve it even more. I seem to be getting a bouncing feeling in the rear. Have the Yellow monroe truck shocks, will probably go with the KYB Gass adjust or just there standard excel g shock but we will see.

Bottom line am I happy? Kinda, eaton seems to make a decent product but I feel their quality control could be better and they could research more into the problems people run into on thier products. Would I buy again, probably but I wouldn't say they are the end all be all of suspension as they hail themselves to be. They are OK.

Hopefully this helps someone going through the same. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old September 21st, 2023, 01:21 AM
Funky61's Avatar
Funky61 Funky61 is offline
-= Dues Paid =-
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Corona, CA
Truck: 1961 Suburban 1962 GMC Utility
Posts: 1,167
Thanks: 11
Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts
Rep Power: 421
Funky61 is just really niceFunky61 is just really niceFunky61 is just really niceFunky61 is just really niceFunky61 is just really niceFunky61 is just really nice
Default Re: Eaton spring experience / review

Thank you Simonsays, for your experience, review, part numbers and specs and your concerns about the springs and sharing your story.

__________________
1961 GMC Suburban 305A Overdrive
1962 GMC Utility 305D
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Review: New 401 Piston Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 May 10th, 2009 03:38 AM
Re: [6066 GMC] Re: Eaton; "NO SPIN" Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 November 17th, 2006 11:12 AM
Re: Eaton; "NO SPIN" Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 November 17th, 2006 04:29 AM
Eaton "NO SPIN" Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 November 16th, 2006 04:44 AM
Re: [6066 GMC] Eaton "NO SPIN" Archiver Previous Forum Posts 0 November 16th, 2006 01:06 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd 771730915004|1729854133|0