Corvette suspension swap

[PHILLYDEAN]

I have a 92 Corvette that I'm taking the engine and transmission out of and also want to put the suspension on my pickup as well. Has anyone have any advise on the best way to do it or any trick I should know about.

[piecesparts]

Just a heads up. If you are going to carry anything with any amount of weight in the truck, the Corvette rear end is not a good idea. I say so, due to my trucking buddy has a 53 Chevy truck that he did just that very thing. He carries a handicap scooter around (not a large one, but it is motor driven and he can lift it in and out of his truck). The weight of that thing caused the rear end to squat and the tires rode on the inside edge and their life was very short. He did a Hot Rod Power Tour with it that way and in 4000 miles he ate up two sets of tires on the rear of the truck. That rear end has since gone to another project and he now has a regular axle rear end under the truck. There are no special springs that can be purchased to make it better, either.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Just a heads up. If you are going to carry anything with any amount of weight in the truck, the Corvette rear end is not a good idea. I say so, due to my trucking buddy has a 53 Chevy truck that he did just that very thing. He carries a handicap scooter around (not a large one, but it is motor driven and he can lift it in and out of his truck). The weight of that thing caused the rear end to squat and the tires rode on the inside edge and their life was very short. He did a Hot Rod Power Tour with it that way and in 4000 miles he ate up two sets of tires on the rear of the truck. That rear end has since gone to another project and he now has a regular axle rear end under the truck. There are no special springs that can be purchased to make it better, either.

There are many different brands of coil overs that can be used with varying degrees of stiffness and while I can't point to a specific product right now I just find it extremely hard to believe nothing can be done.
Nothing is impossible however improbable it may seem.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Xeen

There are many different brands of coil overs that can be used with varying degrees of stiffness and while I can't point to a specific product right now I just find it extremely hard to believe nothing can be done.
Nothing is impossible however improbable it may seem.

That was the same approach, my buddy took. In the end, he got tired of the suspension not standing up to his use.

[Taibo]

Originally Posted by Xeen

There are many different brands of coil overs that can be used with varying degrees of stiffness and while I can't point to a specific product right now I just find it extremely hard to believe nothing can be done.
Nothing is impossible however improbable it may seem.

Right you are! There are more than a few 67-72 C10's out there with C4 and C5 corvette suspensions and the ones I have seen DO HANDLE LIKE A CORVETTE! Here are two from the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge Autocross that out ran several Porche 911'a and a couple of Corvettes! Their only drawback is you won't be hauling bricks in the bed. 2012 Results were:\
Note that #12 &#15 were C10's
1. Mark Stielow (1967 Chevrolet Camaro)

2. Brian Hobaugh (1973 Chevrolet Camaro)

3. Todd Earsley* (2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 GSR)

3. Bret Voelkel* (1933 Ford Coupe)

5. Travis Hill (2013 Nissan GT-R)

6. Steven Rupp (1968 Chevrolet Camaro)

7. Danny Popp (2010 Chevrolet Camaro L28)

7. Kyle Tucker (1970 Chevrolet Camaro)

7. Karl Dunn (2007 Ford Saleen Parnelli Jones Mustang)

10. Brian Finch (1972 Chevrolet Camaro)

10. Jim Holloway (2013 Ford Mustang RTR)

12. Phil Gerber (1970 Chevrolet C10 Pickup)

12. Ryan Mathews (1966 Ford Mustang)

14. Bob Bertelsen (1971 Chevrolet Camaro)

15. Rob McGregor (1970 Chevy C10 Pickup)

16. Chris Smith (1967 Chevrolet C10)

17. Joey Seely (1986 Porsche Carrera)

18. Dale Akuszewski (1964 Sunbeam Tiger)

18. Jeff Cleary (1967 Chevrolet Corvette)

20. David Brandt (1969 Chevrolet Camaro)

20. Todd Foust (1965 Ford Mustang Convertible)

22. Todd Rumpke (2010 Chevrolet Camaro)

23. Curt Hill (1972 Chevrolet C5 Blazer)

24. Brad Coomer (1970 Chevrolet C10)

25. Stacy Tucker (1969 Chevrolet Camaro)

I would say that there is more than enough evidence of success with Corvette runnung gear under one of these trucks to make the project worth the time and $$$$$

[tsetsaf]

Mcgregors truck is a full tubed race car with a truck body on it. Apples/ oranges.

[hotrodder]

I agree . The trucks in the list are race cars more than street trucks. Most are sponsored by Ride-Tech or other suspension companies. A friend of mine has a 55 truck body on a asphalt modified chassis that he runs in the Good-Guys autocross series.

[Taibo]

Originally Posted by PHILLYDEAN

I have a 92 Corvette that I'm taking the engine and transmission out of and also want to put the suspension on my pickup as well. Has anyone have any advise on the best way to do it or any trick I should know about.

Try Flat Out Engineering in Orange CA. They have lots of pics and 'how to' stuff on their website.

[69chevytrucker]

all in the 92 corvette is 3200 pounds if you are using the engine trans and suspension i say weigh it and make your truck body as light as you need it by the sounds of it your not making a work truck so i dont think you need to worry about putting weight in the back.
some trucks are for show and some are for go good like i hope you post pics of it being done. im a guy that loves when someone does something people say you cant do.
10 years ago i was told you cant put a old school sbc in a fourth gen camaro well guess what i did and now they make kits. cutting tools and welders you can do anything
eg i went from a 2wd long to a 4wd super short box



some may like some my not but all that matters is if you like

[RichardJ]

The axle pictured two posts up is a Dana36, used except for the '84, in automatic transmission Corvettes.
If I wanted to go to all the trouble to install a Vette rear, I think the only choice would be to use a Dana44 found in manual transmission Corvettes only.

[brad_man_72]

I had a d36 at the house for a few weeks, looked like an easy swap. I ended up selling the rear instead. You always want to have a vehicle aligned at ride height, especially if you're always going to be hauling something as heavy as a mobility scooter. I talked to piecesn n parts buddy at the all truck nationls he mentioned his tire wear issue and wanted a mint for his rear end. Its been done many times and would make a nice suspension for a cruiser, idk if id want it in something that gets beat on.

[brad_man_72]

Some people race and tow at the same time.... all truck nationals blindfolded autox, I've gotten first a few times with the boat in tow.

[Frnxc10]

I just sent flat out engineering an email to see if they are going to make a bolt in kit for the 67-72 trucks.

Do you think there is enough interest for a discounted group purchase if the rear kits become available?

[XwalkerX]

[SierraMtns]

Is No Limit working on a kit? 5th post down.

https://www.facebook.com/nolimithotrods