install parts from a camaro, charger, etc..

[justin4260]

im doing a street and strip setup with my 70. i was thinking what if i bought an old camero corvette or something of that sort for cheap like if somebody was parting it out or it doesn't start or something. then take out the rear end front suspension and transmission if its still there and put it on my truck. has anybody done anything like this? i found a 5 speed computer transmission from a 95 5.0 mustang for $120 would that work?

[67 cst swb]

I don't really see the benefit to going this direction. For the efforts that I would take to put the car suspension onto a truck, you are not really gaining anything.
And what would you do with a computer controlled FORD 5-speed besides use it as a boat anchor? Unless there is something special about this trans that I don't know about. What engine would you run in front of that?
If anything... I would run a FORD 9" rearend (easy to weld trailing arm saddles on) simply for the strength and gear options. The Camaro rearend is no stronger than a truck rearend and the Corvette rear would not hold up to any halfway serious strip action (you would break the half shafts). With the right Spring/Shock set up or even a rear coil-over set up, the stock trailing arm set up works great for a street/strip application.
Dollar for Dollar... I would go with a 383/TH350 with stock 3.73 rearend or a LS swap with a LS matched 5 or 6 speed manual and a Ford 9".
But that's just my 3-1/2 cents

[justin4260]

well i was thinking if i found like a z28 i would get "track" suspension and the 5 speed from the mustang was just because it was cheap and right now my truck is auto i want manual. would it be easier to just put in new springs and shocks? i have to change out the rear end anyways when i go from auto to manual. and the truck right now has a 350 bored to i have no idea (po)

[67 cst swb]

"track suspension" ???
you are still talking about a leaf sprung rear suspension. Most of these leaf spring rear suspensions require slapper bars or Cal-Tracs to work best anyway, so I don't see it as a benefit.
As for the stock trailing arm suspension. You will be surprised how well it works it strip applications (again with the right Spring/Shock or Coil-Over set up).
As for the Ford 5 speed. If its the Tremec 5 speed, they are a good trans. But it is a computer controlled unit and uses a hydraulic clutch. So, there would be some work to put it in and you would need to find a adaptable bellhousing.
You would not need to change the rearend completely, just possibly the gears. a 3.73 ratio makes a decent street/strip gear.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Nascar has been running trailing arms like our trucks have for decades. Sounds like track suspension to me.

justin4260- I would suggest doing a lot of reading about these trucks, go through the build threads section and you'll learn alot. It sounds to me that you have very basic automotive knowledge. One cannot just put a ford 5-speed behind a chevrolet engine. It wont bolt up. Now they do make adapters and what not but thats not a common setup. As far as buying a camaro, even if bought a 98-02 the only thing you would use would be the engine and trans. The 10 bolt rearends in those cars will not last under a 5k lb truck.

[justin4260]

ok i didn't know if it would be better or not. ok so what are some good coils and shock to use and a good transmission? i have a h400 but i want manual not auto

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by justin4260

ok i didn't know if it would be better or not. ok so what are some good coils and shock to use and a good transmission? i have a h400 but i want manual not auto

I really depends on the performance level you will be at.
At first I would just start with a new set of coil springs (preferably slightly lowered) and a new set of shocks. Depending on the performance, you may not need to do much else.
As far as the manual trans. Wow the sky is the limit there. You could go with a Saginaw or Muncie 4 speed out of a car all the way up to a Richmond 5 or 6 speed.
Do some research in the Engine & Drivetrain section.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=24
and the Racing & Performance section.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=60

Maybe reach out to 57sailplane or 71dragtruck for more ideas.

[EARNHARDT#3]

If you look at the front and rear suspension you'll start seeing there is nothing "truck" about it. These trucks weren't built like what you're thinking. This was back in the day where you towed or hauled a load with big balls and instead of 400hp/8 speed automatic with hill descent/14" 4 wheel disc brakes etc. The basic suspension in these trucks witha little help will handle pretty good and ride great.