leaf springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

highboy_04 · 07-28-2003, 12:24 PM

can anyone tell me if the rear end and leaf springs from a 1973 chevy truck would fit into my 1967. the reason i ask this is because both of my trailing arms broke the other day and im in need of a quick fix. my friend has the rear and the springs and i can have them for free. steve

highboy_04 · 07-28-2003, 01:23 PM

TTT

Alex · 07-28-2003, 01:27 PM

The hangers are spaced further apart for '73 and up, I believe. So you would have to relocate either the rear or front hangers by grinding off or drilling through the rivets and drilling new holes in the frame. I probably would rather locate a set of trailing arms before I do that.

Yellow Cheyenne · 07-28-2003, 01:30 PM

Converting isn't as easy as it looks. Will take at least 2 days if done properly. Do a WTB ad in the parts section for some trailing arms, unless you really want to convert to leafs. The leafs on '73+ are about a 1/4" wider than the '67-'72's. It can be done, but would be much easier to replace the trailing arms.

**CPNE** · 07-28-2003, 01:30 PM

You're looking at neither a quick or cheap fix by converting to leafs, even if they are free. I'd find a set of trailing arms and go that route.

BTW, how did you break both trailing arms?

highboy_04 · 07-28-2003, 01:46 PM

well i was driving and i guess one of them broke and it twisted the other one and it broke. the only thing keeping the axle from goning forward is the overload springs. so i have about half an inch between the front of the rear wheel well and my tire. also now the rear end is leaking fluid.

Alex · 07-28-2003, 01:47 PM

Oops, I wasn't thinking. You have no hangers to begin with. Like the others said, a lot of work involved in changing over to leaf springs.

rambler · 07-28-2003, 03:41 PM

I see your from Kansas,, I would check with Teeitup or Joe'sJunk, one is near Topeka, the other Independence MO, they have part's trucks... I would agree, I'm still looking for 5lug coil for my 72, had a 73 given to me as well, and too much work to convert..

mocwon · 07-28-2003, 05:09 PM

It took me three days to convert from trailing arms to leaf springs. I just simply do not like trailing arms for a truck. You must have access to a GOOD pneumatic hammer with a sharp chisel to do this. The rivets come off easy is you have the right tools. If you try grinding the rivits off it will take you weeks since there are so many to remove. When you change to leafs you also must have the support that fits between the frame rails at the front shackles. In addition, the rear support between the frame rails has an additional gussett for added support at the rear leaf hangers.

07-28-2003, 12:24 PM	#1
highboy_04 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: kansas Posts: 1,071	leaf springs can anyone tell me if the rear end and leaf springs from a 1973 chevy truck would fit into my 1967. the reason i ask this is because both of my trailing arms broke the other day and im in need of a quick fix. my friend has the rear and the springs and i can have them for free. steve __________________ '67 c10 350/th350

07-28-2003, 01:23 PM	#2
highboy_04 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: kansas Posts: 1,071	TTT __________________ '67 c10 350/th350

07-28-2003, 01:27 PM	#3
Alex Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Blaine, MN Posts: 798	The hangers are spaced further apart for '73 and up, I believe. So you would have to relocate either the rear or front hangers by grinding off or drilling through the rivets and drilling new holes in the frame. I probably would rather locate a set of trailing arms before I do that. __________________ '72 C/10 LWB 402/400 Blaine, MN

07-28-2003, 01:30 PM	#4
Yellow Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eastern Kansas Posts: 488	Converting isn't as easy as it looks. Will take at least 2 days if done properly. Do a WTB ad in the parts section for some trailing arms, unless you really want to convert to leafs. The leafs on '73+ are about a 1/4" wider than the '67-'72's. It can be done, but would be much easier to replace the trailing arms. __________________ '72 Cheyenne. AC, PS, PB, Rear slider window, tilt. Light yellow (grapefruit yellow according to new sales literature from '72) '56 Chevy short step V-8 (My dad bought it new!!) '70 Olds 442 convertible '70 Olds Rallye 350

07-28-2003, 01:30 PM	#5
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	You're looking at neither a quick or cheap fix by converting to leafs, even if they are free. I'd find a set of trailing arms and go that route. BTW, how did you break both trailing arms? __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

07-28-2003, 01:46 PM	#6
highboy_04 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: kansas Posts: 1,071	well i was driving and i guess one of them broke and it twisted the other one and it broke. the only thing keeping the axle from goning forward is the overload springs. so i have about half an inch between the front of the rear wheel well and my tire. also now the rear end is leaking fluid. __________________ '67 c10 350/th350

07-28-2003, 01:47 PM	#7
Alex Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Blaine, MN Posts: 798	Oops, I wasn't thinking. You have no hangers to begin with. Like the others said, a lot of work involved in changing over to leaf springs. __________________ '72 C/10 LWB 402/400 Blaine, MN

07-28-2003, 03:41 PM	#8
rambler MOVE OVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 5,470	I see your from Kansas,, I would check with Teeitup or Joe'sJunk, one is near Topeka, the other Independence MO, they have part's trucks... I would agree, I'm still looking for 5lug coil for my 72, had a 73 given to me as well, and too much work to convert.. __________________ No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi

07-28-2003, 05:09 PM	#9
mocwon Keep On Truckin' Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Buda, Texas Posts: 1,354	Will take at least 2 days if done properly It took me three days to convert from trailing arms to leaf springs. I just simply do not like trailing arms for a truck. You must have access to a GOOD pneumatic hammer with a sharp chisel to do this. The rivets come off easy is you have the right tools. If you try grinding the rivits off it will take you weeks since there are so many to remove. When you change to leafs you also must have the support that fits between the frame rails at the front shackles. In addition, the rear support between the frame rails has an additional gussett for added support at the rear leaf hangers. __________________ Just Passin' Thru Some projects are like herding cats; others are like putting out fires; this one was like herding cats on fire.....

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