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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: caldwell idaho
Posts: 40
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Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Can I get some help on what is needed to swap from leafs to trailing arms for my 72 GMC with 5 x5 lug pattern.thanks in advance.
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Belews Creek , NC
Posts: 4,220
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Quite a bit, crossmember where trailing arms attach, trailing arms, drive shaft, rear axle housing, tracking bar, tracking bar frame bracket, coil spring frame perches, coil springs, shock mounting crossmember, and time and knowledge to get it back together. I believe I thought of it all.
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Larry It is easily overlooked that what is now called vintage was once brand new. "Project 68" paypal.me/ldgrant |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Cottontown,Tn.
Posts: 65
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Thanks Good info here for a new to trucks guy |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Central IL
Posts: 63
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Quote:
A leaf spring axle would be missing the correct saddles and a panhard mounting location. This looks to be a pretty complete kit: https://www.performanceonline.com/19...onversion-Kit/ |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Cottontown,Tn.
Posts: 65
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
That looks like a good start on the changeover. Hope the driveshaft is the same but the frame I am using from has one I think.
Thanks |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Md
Posts: 2,472
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
If you are going to go with original parts find a donor truck with trailing arm cross member trailing arms and springs, axle with correct welded mount. You will need to build spring perches for the frame. Frame on a leaf spring truck were straight, trailing arm trucks the frame bows out where the spring mounts.
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http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635605 |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Belews Creek , NC
Posts: 4,220
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Oh wow ! Didn't know that. Better off finding the whole frame to swap out
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Larry It is easily overlooked that what is now called vintage was once brand new. "Project 68" paypal.me/ldgrant |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: caldwell idaho
Posts: 40
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Wow that is a lot of work thanks for the replies I think my only option is a four link set up so I can keep my axle with the 5 lug.
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kearneysville Wv
Posts: 3,940
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Leaf spring 2 wheel drive and coil spring frames have the same bowed out frame rails the 4 wd are straight frames and C/30 leaf frames are straight
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#10 | |
Local Detroit diesel nut!
![]() Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Burlington, WI
Posts: 175
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Quote:
Mike
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Nothing cool anymore, I am old and boring.... |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: caldwell idaho
Posts: 40
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
The spring mounts do not matter cause I am bagging it.the only thing I am concerned about is the pan hard mount on the frame and keeping the 5 lug.can I swap axle shafts from 6 lug to 5 lug?
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada
Posts: 2,476
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
There is a 6 lug housing from the 1970 model year that will accept either 70 6 lug or 71 up 5 lug. Those 70 6 lug will swap up years as well. Earlier housings are too short for later axles and require an aftermarket axle or re-machining of the originals.
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: caldwell idaho
Posts: 40
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Thanks for the info ,glad I joined the forum there sure is a lot of knowledgable forks here.
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Cottontown,Tn.
Posts: 65
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Is there a problem if you just want to swap the complete axle housings only from a leaf truck to a trailing arm truck ?
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#15 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
The rear brake lines are routed completely different too.
Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#16 |
Farmtruck desciple
Join Date: May 2009
Location: 90605
Posts: 158
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Re: Leaf to trailing arms how to ?
Have a look at this. It's a reasonable compromise to a full axle swap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS_5xwt1_io |
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