trailer leaf springs for rod?

[billy]

hi everybody
i am on my 1st build and i need some leaf springs for the front.
can i use trailer springs?
they come in the length i need and take 9/16 bolts but most of them are 1 3/4 instead of 2" wide.
they are rated for 1000lbs. and up in various increments.
will the narrower springs work for me?
this is for a 27 chevy p/u .
thank you for your time
bill

 

[dogpatch1]

alot of the springs built for hotrods are 1-3/4 wide also so as long as you pic the right rating for your appl. it will work, i'm using 2 trailer springs for the front of my altered wheel base comet, they are the same width 1-3/4 and i up'd the rating to handle the shock of the front end travel.

dp1

 

[hotrod preacher]

hey billy, i used a trailer spring from a "tractor supply" store TSC

right length, about a 2000-2500 lb. rating, and about 30 bucks.....

i guess i should mention that i've got it all mounted up, but haven't driven the rat it's on yet....

i know i'm not the only one who has done this-maybe some others can help reassure you in your choice....

 

[billy]

thanks fellas
it seems like they would work but the originals are 2".
cant hurt ta ask eh?
they are super cheap too!

 

[old lady's mad]

guy up the road from me built his front and rear's with them . ride's a little rough cause there short , but ive seen alot of rats with no springs at all . trailer springs are rated light . if all your running is a cab , id only go 1000lb each end .

 

[billy]

guy up the road from me built his front and rear's with them . ride's a little rough cause there short , but ive seen alot of rats with no springs at all . trailer springs are rated light . if all your running is a cab , id only go 1000lb each end .

i can get them in 1" increments from 20-36"

 

[old lady's mad]

then id get them as long as will fit in you space . but you also have to keep in mind where your axle will wind up at the same time .

 

[Ratcrazy]

Hey Billy,

I too am using a trailer spring rated at 2000-2500 lbs, 1 3/4 wide from Northern Tools Company. Cost $24.00.

You shouldnt have any problem with one if you are sure about what weight you need. I am running a straight six in mine.

Larry

 

[chv]

He's mine, not running yet but should work. I got mine from a boat wrecking yard...

 

[billy]

i am going to run the trailer springs.
and use the saved money to buy all the steel needed to build a frame.

 

[Rev Tex Devlle]

i use a car trailer spring! had no problems , but i did add a few leafs to hold up the flatheadv8 i had in it.

 

[homebrew]

Billy where are you finding the springs at. I can not find any over 25 inch but i need a 29 inch.


thanks cj

 

[dogpatch1]

Billy where are you finding the springs at. I can not find any over 25 inch but i need a 29 inch.


thanks cj

heres a store i've bought from in the past. dp1



http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.catalog&categoryID=174

 

[billy]

Billy where are you finding the springs at. I can not find any over 25 inch but i need a 29 inch.


thanks cj

i found mine at the local RV place.
the guys at the store never mentioned boat trailers.

 

[Gearhead10]

Man I'm glad I read this post. I never thought of trailer springs and the fact you can get em in different lengths. Heck of alot cheaper than Speedway and such. Thanks for the Idea[cl

 

[chopfather]

CHV do you happen to have a pic of how you hooked your leaf spring up to the axle???

 

[Hotrodbuilderny]

Trailer spring

I have a 62 falcon gasser with a big block chevy I used trailer springs
I have been building gassers and street rods for 38 yrs I have also had
springs made at local spring shops never had a problem with either hope
that helps

 

[billy]

I have a 62 falcon gasser with a big block chevy I used trailer springs
I have been building gassers and street rods for 38 yrs I have also had
springs made at local spring shops never had a problem with either hope
that helps

it makes me feel better.
and that always helps!