can ya change it over.......... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

QKENUF4U · 08-23-2008, 08:03 PM

always loved the trailing arm suspension on the 2wd's. i may have a chance to pick up a really nice 2wd 3/4 ton and im sure its like the one rotting away in my dads barn and has a dana 60 with leafs.
can you change everything out and put a trailing arm suspension on it or would it just be not worth the time ? i know the 3/4 ton is gonna ride like a brick and just want to get it a bit more plush esp. since i dont use it for any heavy hauling.
thanks
lance

MrBeast · 08-23-2008, 08:06 PM

Yes you can convert, it just requires having all the pieces, Also the spring perches are at an angle, and on the opposite side of the axle.

You should also seriously consider air bagging it if you do. It will cost about 2 grand, but it will work wonders for giving the truck a plush ride, and even more so it will actually give it better ability to handle weight than springs!

Longhorn Man · 08-23-2008, 08:33 PM

if it's a chevy, odds are it is already a trailing arm truck

Gray Ghost · 08-23-2008, 10:04 PM

Yes you can. We grafted a traling arm suspension on a 10 bolt that was installed in Thomas' shorty '71 C10 stepper by the PO. There's a trailing arm bracket that you can buy [I think from ECE] to help locate the rear axle. There's a ton of grinding and welding but it's not too hard.

I prefer the trailing arm suspension to the leaf system. Most 3/4 ton trucks I have seen are leafs [except the ones in panel trucks].

QKENUF4U · 08-23-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

if it's a chevy, odds are it is already a trailing arm truck

i highly doubt it but man do i ever wish. sounds like way to much money and work for me. guess i would have to get a set of softride springs and live with that. i can handle that money and work wise. lol

67_C-30 · 08-23-2008, 11:58 PM

I've had (4) 3/4 Ton Chevys, and all have been coil spring trucks. Leafs were optional, so there's a much better chance that it will be coil sprung instead of leafs.

Gray Ghost · 08-24-2008, 12:01 AM

That speaks volumes about what I consider the better suspension system. I like coils and trailing arms much better than leafs.

QKENUF4U · 08-24-2008, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

I've had (4) 3/4 Ton Chevys, and all have been coil spring trucks. Leafs were optional, so there's a much better chance that it will be coil sprung instead of leafs.

hmm that gives me hope. hopefully i have more pics tomorrow. looks to be a really nice clean 2wd 3/4 ton short bed. 350 4 speed truck. white in color. some pics he sent. have to go check it out. gonna trade my 91 k1500 on it maybe.

Longhorn Man · 08-24-2008, 10:58 AM

hmmmm, well, considering that the general NEVER made any 3/4 tpon short wheeel base trucks... it kinda throws the whole "they came with coils stock" argument.
This is a full off custom, check the build quality, quiz the owner, see if it's a chopped down 3/4 ton truck, or a beefed up 1/2 ton truck (the VIN will tell) It's most likely the latter, but I doubt they put in the added braces and stuff.

Shyguy · 08-24-2008, 11:10 AM

Like said before 3/4 ton Chevys came with coil springs standard, with leaf springs as an option.

Now GMCs are a different story, they came with leaf springs standard with coil springs an option, I think.

Danny

08-23-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	can ya change it over.......... always loved the trailing arm suspension on the 2wd's. i may have a chance to pick up a really nice 2wd 3/4 ton and im sure its like the one rotting away in my dads barn and has a dana 60 with leafs. can you change everything out and put a trailing arm suspension on it or would it just be not worth the time ? i know the 3/4 ton is gonna ride like a brick and just want to get it a bit more plush esp. since i dont use it for any heavy hauling. thanks lance

08-23-2008, 08:06 PM	#2
MrBeast high-Tech Red Neck Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Livingston, MT/On my boat WA/BC/AK Posts: 2,294	Re: can ya change it over.......... Yes you can convert, it just requires having all the pieces, Also the spring perches are at an angle, and on the opposite side of the axle. You should also seriously consider air bagging it if you do. It will cost about 2 grand, but it will work wonders for giving the truck a plush ride, and even more so it will actually give it better ability to handle weight than springs! __________________ "He used to be a pretty nice feller, now he's a welder!"

08-23-2008, 08:33 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: can ya change it over.......... if it's a chevy, odds are it is already a trailing arm truck

08-23-2008, 10:04 PM	#4
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: can ya change it over.......... Yes you can. We grafted a traling arm suspension on a 10 bolt that was installed in Thomas' shorty '71 C10 stepper by the PO. There's a trailing arm bracket that you can buy [I think from ECE] to help locate the rear axle. There's a ton of grinding and welding but it's not too hard. I prefer the trailing arm suspension to the leaf system. Most 3/4 ton trucks I have seen are leafs [except the ones in panel trucks]. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps. Last edited by Gray Ghost; 08-23-2008 at 10:05 PM.

08-23-2008, 11:58 PM	#6
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: can ya change it over.......... I've had (4) 3/4 Ton Chevys, and all have been coil spring trucks. Leafs were optional, so there's a much better chance that it will be coil sprung instead of leafs. __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

08-24-2008, 12:01 AM	#7
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: can ya change it over.......... That speaks volumes about what I consider the better suspension system. I like coils and trailing arms much better than leafs. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

08-24-2008, 10:58 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: can ya change it over.......... hmmmm, well, considering that the general NEVER made any 3/4 tpon short wheeel base trucks... it kinda throws the whole "they came with coils stock" argument. This is a full off custom, check the build quality, quiz the owner, see if it's a chopped down 3/4 ton truck, or a beefed up 1/2 ton truck (the VIN will tell) It's most likely the latter, but I doubt they put in the added braces and stuff. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 08-24-2008 at 11:00 AM.

08-24-2008, 11:10 AM	#10
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: can ya change it over.......... Like said before 3/4 ton Chevys came with coil springs standard, with leaf springs as an option. Now GMCs are a different story, they came with leaf springs standard with coil springs an option, I think. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

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