Pros & Cons ???

[CVA59]

I have a complete '86 rolling chassis i intend on using for my '64 front suspension and the rear end swap. I was looking at both frames and now i am thinking of just swapping the complete rear end with the leaf springs. The frame rails on my '64 and the '86 are 34" outside to outside. Are there any major issues in doing a swap like this?

Thanks,

[Captainfab]

I don't think there are any issues with doing that swap, but I would double check the frame widths right at where the spring hangers will be. Quite honestly, as long as your trailing arms are in good condition, I would stay with the trailing arms and coils. They will ride nicer, and if you're putting much power to the ground, the trailing arms won't wheel hop like the leafs will. But of course you will need to cut and weld to put that '86 rear end onto the trailing arms, and also transfer the panhard bar mount to the '86 rear end.

[CVA59]

Thanks Fab. I am also looking at this from the perspective that with the leafs the truck should have less roll in cornering. With the leafs and the front sway bar it should handle much better than the coils i would assume. This would also allow me to eliminate the panhard bar totally. I haven't looked real close but i see a lot more room as well for exhaust. I have nothing against the coils but this would be a super easy swap for me. I have built many race cars and street rods thru the years but the older i get the less i am interested in cutting/welding & fabricating, LOL. Thanks again for the help Fab.

[lakeroadster]

These old trucks have pretty darn good suspension designs. And from a handling, cornering and ride quality perspective the rear coil spring set-up will be superior to a rear leaf spring suspension.

Swapping in the leaf spring suspension would be great from a load carrying capacity perspective but I am betting you would be happier with the end result if you were to simply rebuild what you have: new bushings for the trailing arms and panhard bar, new springs, new shocks and maybe add a rear sway bar.

In the end the rebuild should be a lot less work and yield a much better result.

Hope this helps.

[CVA59]

John, Who sells the original style perches for the trailing arms? They have to the cut on an angle. I could cut my old ones off i guess but i would prefer to start with new ones.

[lakeroadster]

I don't think those are available, therefore you would have to salvage the one's you have or fab. new.

Why not use the rear axle you already have? There are a multitude of new gear sets available if you are merely swapping rears for the sake of a different ratio? Or if you want to change to 5 lug you could have the axle flanges welded up and re-drilled.

Also I think the axle you are wanting to use is actually wider than the stock 64 rear. Don't know if that is a probablem for you or not?

Not trying to say what you are planning doesn't make sense, I am just curious if you are aware of these things?

[vin63]

Originally Posted by CVA59

John, Who sells the original style perches for the trailing arms? They have to the cut on an angle. I could cut my old ones off i guess but i would prefer to start with new ones.

Are you referring to the rear axle housing saddle mounts? I get mine from Early Classic - pn: 02-8005.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by vin63

Are you referring to the rear axle housing saddle mounts? I get mine from Early Classic - pn: 02-8005.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

Yes, the axle perches (mounts). I will check with them. Thanks

[vin63]

No problem...just type in "saddles" in the keyword(s) search box and it should pull it up for you.

[SCOTI]

CVA59, weren't you considering the Pro-street width tires for the rear? If you try & mount those leafs on the inside of the frame rails, you'll definitely lose stability vs. the OE coil spring location.

OE leafs provided more hauling capacity vs. OE coil suspensions. Air bags can quickly equalize or surpass that difference while providing a better ride . . .....

[CVA59]

I am changing it because i am doing a complete swap over to 5 lug disc brakes

[CVA59]

Hey Scot, Yes i was considering that. I am really looking into every option since i have a complete and original rear leaf setup. It would be easy for me to swap everything and so i was just curious about the differences. Scot.....What do you think about it other than the difference in ride?

[Bugeyev8]

Originally Posted by CVA59

Hey Scot, Yes i was considering that. I am really looking into every option since i have a complete and original rear leaf setup. It would be easy for me to swap everything and so i was just curious about the differences. Scot.....What do you think about it other than the difference in ride?

I would far rather have the trailing arm suspension, it can be set up to work amazing, its so good they even make a kit for the 67-69 Camaros based on it, I took my torch and just burned the perches off and the panhard bracket and fitted them to the new 12 bolt and it worked fine, I have a small aircraft cutting torch that cuts a very small slice or get a plasma cutter and whack them off

[CVA59]

Thanks guys. After all the input here i think i will stay with my trailing arms and just swap axles. I can get new saddles pretty cheap looks like.