1966 chev short bed
 

I have a 1966 Chev short bed and want to put disk brakes and a new rear end on it.
I have found a 1972 GMC long bed that I think i can use for parts.
What I need to know is will the rear end bolt up to my 66 without cuting and welding and will all of the other parts work..Front cross member,Power brakes,Automatic trans crossmember, drive shaft?

Any comment will be helpful.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Look around in the Suspension section.
There is alot of info there.
The front stuff is a basic swapping of parts, plus adding the disc brake master cylinder and proportioning valve from the '72.
The rear will be a direct swap also as long as both trucks are either coil or leaf sprung.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Is this true, if both trucks have coil springs?
I'm trying to learn something here.

The Suspension section covers this topic in great detail.
(My answer was a quick overview).

The front can be done without changing the crossmember itself.
(a-arms out, parts swap)
Brake lines go with the M/C swap.
If the OP has a donor truck,... I would think he would have everything to to the swap.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Good observation, but you have to remember not "all" GMC's came with leaf springs, just as not "all" Chevies came with coil.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

It also depends if the GMC donor is a C10 or C20 whether the parts are going to work for the OP. If it is a C10 and has rear coils, it should be a straight forward swap. You will have to shorten the driveshaft though. That usually doesn't cost that much to have done.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Oh yeah, almost forgot! Welcome to the forum.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

I sold a 72 GMC SWB last year and it had coil rear suspension.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

I believe it was 64 when GMC went to leaf springs

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

Just to clear this up. Chevy's had coil spring rear suspension Standard and leaf springs Optional. GMC had leaf springs Standard and coil springs Optional. The year ranges from '63 (maybe from '60, I am not sure on the torsion bar frames) to '72. In '73 they all went to leafs in the rear and prior to '60 they were leafs front and rear.

Hope that helps.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

My 1960 GMC 1/2 ton short bed came stock with the coil spring/trailing arm rear suspension.

Re: 1966 chev short bed
 

I was aware of the earlier and later models not sure on 60-72. Most 61-66 chevys we've had were all coil and the one 65 GMC was leaf all were 1/2 tons 2wd. figures GM would offer the same options mirrored for the trucks. Thanks for the clarification.