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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 641
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GMC Rear swap options?
I have a 1968 GMC with the leaf spring set up. Thinking of putting the 71-72 front disc set up which would be a 5 lug pattern.
Will a 71-72 GMC rear (5 lug) bolt right up? Shocks in same location? |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,721
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Re: GMC Rear swap options?
Yes. You can also buy conversion axles for your existing housing and new drums which may or may not be cheaper depending on how easy it is to find a donor 5 lug leaf housing.
You never said 1/2 ton 6 lug but that is my assumption here. I put a 72 housing and axles in my 69 not just for the bolt pattern but wider housing that is on the 70 and up. This was needed to fit the wheel/tire combo I had in mind.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 641
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Re: GMC Rear swap options?
Thanks Mike. Ill try to find a 71-72 rear to start.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 328
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Re: GMC Rear swap options?
I've wondered the same thing. Anybody know if 73 and later would work? I seem to remember that those have the springs in a slightly different location, but I don't know if that is accurate.
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#5 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,858
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Re: GMC Rear swap options?
Not as a bolt-in, but it's not a big deal to move spring saddles and shock mounts. You can also buy 6-lug disc brake kits for the front. I think 6-lug half tons are cool...it's totally a GM thing! They finally caved in and started doing what the others did in '71.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,721
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Re: GMC Rear swap options?
1/2 ton spring perches on the square bodies should be same, but shock mounts need relocating.
Not near as many 67-72 2x4 leaf trucks so haven't investigated this further since I was able to find a 72 housing. Something else to consider is that 71-72 will have perches for the narrower 2 1/4" spring vs the 2 1/2" spring on the 73 and up.
__________________
44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#7 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Victoria, B.C
Posts: 3,794
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![]() Quote:
It would have been nice if they had a transition year with a 6 bolt/disc brake set-up in 1970 or thereabouts. All Good Coley ![]()
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....for some men, there is experience, skill and effort....for the others...there is visa and UPS LOL 1966 Chevy 1/2 ton (Florida- Red/white) 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton (California- Blue/white) 2005 Chevy Silverado HD2500/Duramax 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: formerly NY currentlyNC
Posts: 390
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Re: GMC Rear swap options?
the spring perches on the square body rear are 1/4 inch further apart than the earlier rear ....way back when i just forced them in cause the springs in my tow truck had so much arch....when i restored the truck and dropped it i made 1/8 inch spacer plates between the spring hangers and the chassis ....had to replace the hangers anyway due to accident damage and worn out bushing bolt holes (from the spring shop that "repaired" the damage and never tightened the bolts properly) so in this case it was easier than moving the perches....square body has one shock in front of the rear and the other behind it so one mount needed to be cut off and swapped around
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1970 short step c10 leaf spring 454 |
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