by Just something I've been wondering about. Are the front and rear springs on a 2nd gen the same?
Last edited by wideload on Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
5 posters
2nd gen springs??????
wideload- Moderator 1st Class
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Last edited by wideload on Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Mike
WIDELOAD
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wideload- Moderator 1st Class
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Location : Kevil, Kentucky
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I might need to ask this question a different way. Will the front leaf springs on a 2nd gen interchange with the rear leaf springs?
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Mike
WIDELOAD
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savage- Number of posts : 2626
Location : Where Rust Never Sleeps in Ft Wayne IN
Registration date : 2008-05-15
Mike I got a set of both front & rears i n the 65 from CA(extras for the 68 G-20). They look like there the same??
donivan65- Governor
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I think the rears have 1 more leaf than a front,,,,,,,and maybe a SportVan has 1 more leaf than a panel,,,,,,,
wideload- Moderator 1st Class
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Thanks guys. My 67 has had a leaf added to the front but not the rear(don't know why?). It sits a little higher in the front because of this. Been pondering putting another leaf under the rear.
Don there's only two leafs front and rear on all four of my second gens with the exception of the 67, but none of them are sportvans.
Don there's only two leafs front and rear on all four of my second gens with the exception of the 67, but none of them are sportvans.
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Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Make sure you measure the length of the spring, and the location of the center bolt. The center bolt isn't always right in the center.
donivan65- Governor
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That sounds about right,,,,,I don't have too much faith in only 2 leafs being able to keep getting the job done,,,,,,,and the engine seems to sag the fronts. So you add a leaf,,,,now its too high,,,,You can play with the leafs,,,,,they are offset,,,,,,the center bolt is not really in the center like Scott says. And the vans do come with different amount of leafs ,,maybe depending on rear end gear ratios,,,,,,,,,,,,,you could probably bring that front end down by putting a 454 engine in it,,,,,,,,,,
wideload- Moderator 1st Class
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Don that's what I need to do, take the 454 out of the motor home and swap it for the 292 that's in the 67. We can do that the next time you come by!!!!!! 
The leaf that's been added to the front of the 67 isn't a stock leaf. It's straight instead of tapered. Probably an aftermarket helper spring. They put it in between the two stock springs.
Don't know what's under a 2nd gen sport van, but my 67 and 68 (drivers) are both inline 6's ( two stock leafs front and rear) and my two parts vans (67 & 68 108's) are both factory V8's with two leafs front and rear.
The leaf that's been added to the front of the 67 isn't a stock leaf. It's straight instead of tapered. Probably an aftermarket helper spring. They put it in between the two stock springs.
Don't know what's under a 2nd gen sport van, but my 67 and 68 (drivers) are both inline 6's ( two stock leafs front and rear) and my two parts vans (67 & 68 108's) are both factory V8's with two leafs front and rear.
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donivan65- Governor
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,,,,,and I would take that 292 and put it in my van,,,,,
But thats the thing about springs,,,,,they sag,,,,,people slap in whatever they can,,,,,the 1st Gens have 5 leafs front/6 rear,,,,SportVan 6 front/7 rear,,,,,but they are 2" wide,,,,2nd Gens are wider,,,,,,As a matter of fact,,,,I might have to build a 1st Gen front axle up for PolarBear to use so he can get his 2nd Gen to the paint shop AND he does not have to install his pretty front axle and get it covered with overspray. And my question is,,,,,,1st Gen springs are like 48" from the center of the end bolts,,,,,,what are 2nd Gens? will my springs and the complete axle assembly be able to be mounted on a 2nd Gen?
But thats the thing about springs,,,,,they sag,,,,,people slap in whatever they can,,,,,the 1st Gens have 5 leafs front/6 rear,,,,SportVan 6 front/7 rear,,,,,but they are 2" wide,,,,2nd Gens are wider,,,,,,As a matter of fact,,,,I might have to build a 1st Gen front axle up for PolarBear to use so he can get his 2nd Gen to the paint shop AND he does not have to install his pretty front axle and get it covered with overspray. And my question is,,,,,,1st Gen springs are like 48" from the center of the end bolts,,,,,,what are 2nd Gens? will my springs and the complete axle assembly be able to be mounted on a 2nd Gen?
gotavan- Number of posts : 242
Location : Greenville Michigan
Registration date : 2008-05-17
spring holes are wider on 2nd gen the 1st gen is the black one
U bolts are wider to match the axle holes
The center distance between the spring holes is 35 3/4 inches on both generations
donivan65- Governor
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Well then,,,,so far, so good,,,,,one more measurement,,,,,how long is a 2nd Gen spring? The whole assembly is looking like it will fit once I change out the different drag links,,,,,Gots to get ready,,,,,The Polar Bear is waking up after a long hibernation,,,,,
wideload- Moderator 1st Class
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Don that measurement is about 45 1/2" on the 2nd gen springs. I took the measurement with the springs still mounted under the van.
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donivan65- Governor
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Thanks Mike, as the springs sag, they get longer, so we will be able to use a 1st Gen axle under a 2nd gen,,,,,,,,but you can't use a 2nd Gen under a 1st Gen. So lets see if the PolarBear Express will start rolling.....
wideload- Moderator 1st Class
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Is the width of the spring perches the only reason you can't use a 2nd gen under a 1st gen?
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donivan65- Governor
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The deal is the spring widths,,,,the 1st Gens are 2",,,,,2nds are 2 1/2". No way that the 2nd Gen springs will squeeze inside the 1st Gens 2" u bolts and front mount and Shackles,,,,HOWEVER,,,,the skinny 1st Gen springs could get inside the wider 2nd Gen mounts,,,,It would be a sloppy fit,,,,,you might tighten up the fit with shims or washers,,,,,another thing is the drag link and steering arms are different,,,,the ball joint and taper are 180 degrees out,,,,,but you would be OK if you swapped out the steering arm and drag link as a set,,,,,,,All I need to do is put together something to slap under PolarBear 2 so it can be put on a trailer and and dropped off at the body shop and be able to move about for around 4 months while they work on it,,,,,,,
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