Leafs to trailing arms - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

legends · 08-23-2005, 09:02 PM

I would like to change my leaf spring 71 to trailing arms so i can run bags on the rear. Does anyone sell just the bracket that goes on the crossmember to support the front of the trailing arm? It looks to me like the crossmembers are the same, The leaf spring crosmember has holes for the brackets.

TireSmoke420 · 08-24-2005, 01:26 AM

im sure they are the same. im planing on doing same thing. most auto manifacturers use the same frame for all trucks 1/2 to 3/4 and maybe even 1 ton not sure though. its a price thing for them cheaper for them to use all the same frames just with different suspensions on them.

68LSS1 · 08-24-2005, 02:37 AM

I doubt you're going to find anybody that sells new brackets. You can find trailing arm parts but mostly those are meant for cars that go around in a circle and usually have some adjustability. Some of the parts we can use. You can get adjustable brackets at SCP but you'll need two left hand sets. The reason they sell a right and a left is because the l/h have up/down adjustments and the r/h brackets are slotted for in/out. Having said all that take a look at their l/h brackets as I think you could definitely mod them to work and they are pretty cheap. A link might be nice, huh? Or whenever I get around to removing my cross member I will be selling it. But I have lowered the mounts one set of holes and welded them on per the Hot Rods to Hell kit. The reason I'm getting rid of it is I want more adjustment and got a ECE unit from Brothers to modify.

Joe67 · 08-24-2005, 06:54 AM

If you're going to bag the truck, checkout the custom brace setup from Early Classic

68C15 · 08-24-2005, 07:08 AM

I did the same excact thing 3 years ago. I found a truck box trailer & robbed all the parts. the X members are the same. those brackets are there to spread the load. you may be OK by boxing the frame if you cant find the brackets.

legends · 08-24-2005, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the advice so far. I guess i wasnt real clear in my original post. the brackets im referring to are the locating mounts for the front of the trailing arms. The front bolt of the trailing arm goes through this bracket. I have trailing arms and a crossmember from a donor truck but I thought it would be easier to just add the brackets to my existing leaf spring crossmember rather than removing the whole crossmember from my truck and the donor truck.

SCOTI · 08-24-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends

Thanks for the advice so far. I guess i wasnt real clear in my original post. the brackets im referring to are the locating mounts for the front of the trailing arms. The front bolt of the trailing arm goes through this bracket. I have trailing arms and a crossmember from a donor truck but I thought it would be easier to just add the brackets to my existing leaf spring crossmember rather than removing the whole crossmember from my truck and the donor truck.

It would be easier. You'll need to find someone parting out a truck that will remove those brackets for you (place an ad in the parts section) or you might try early Classics & see if they'll sell just the brackets w/o the entire c-member. You'll also need the coil spring shock/frame reinforcement c-member as well.

For what it's worth, I like the Early Classics c-member. It's definitely solid & well built.

fade94 · 08-24-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends

Thanks for the advice so far. I guess i wasnt real clear in my original post. the brackets im referring to are the locating mounts for the front of the trailing arms. The front bolt of the trailing arm goes through this bracket. I have trailing arms and a crossmember from a donor truck but I thought it would be easier to just add the brackets to my existing leaf spring crossmember rather than removing the whole crossmember from my truck and the donor truck.

Where are you located? I have a complete 69 parts truck with coil rear.

SCOTI · 08-24-2005, 01:20 PM

If he's not interested, I need that rear shock/frame reinforcement crossmember that's riveted @ the coil mount area. I've got everything else for my leaf to coil conversion, just missing that.

PM & let me know what you have . . .....
Thanks, Scot

legends · 08-25-2005, 11:42 AM

Im in PA. I have everything i need, just a matter of moving it from one truck to the other. Looks like a lot of rivets to grind off. Thanks for all the help.

**StingRay** · 08-25-2005, 11:47 AM

A good air chisel with about 150 psi behind it will pop the heads off in a jiffy. If necessary you can drill the rivet head out and then even a wimpy chisel can knock it off. Use the air chisel with a pointed chisel to drive em out.

fade94 · 08-25-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

If he's not interested, I need that rear shock/frame reinforcement crossmember that's riveted @ the coil mount area. I've got everything else for my leaf to coil conversion, just missing that.

PM & let me know what you have . . .....
Thanks, Scot

Bed still on truck. This truck is a long bed, will that make a difference on what you need? I am going to be cutting this frame down to a short bed and putting my 71 stuff on it. UNLESS SOMEONE HAS A SHORT FRAME THEY WANT TO TRADE FOR PARTS???

SCOTI · 08-25-2005, 02:38 PM

The parts are the same long or short. They're just located in different spots on the frame.

I need the crossmember only (for the shocks).

08-23-2005, 09:02 PM	#1
legends Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: lebanon pa Posts: 81	Leafs to trailing arms I would like to change my leaf spring 71 to trailing arms so i can run bags on the rear. Does anyone sell just the bracket that goes on the crossmember to support the front of the trailing arm? It looks to me like the crossmembers are the same, The leaf spring crosmember has holes for the brackets.

08-24-2005, 01:26 AM	#2
TireSmoke420 One of the few GMC'ers Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Des Moines, Iowa sometimes Butler, PA Posts: 146	im sure they are the same. im planing on doing same thing. most auto manifacturers use the same frame for all trucks 1/2 to 3/4 and maybe even 1 ton not sure though. its a price thing for them cheaper for them to use all the same frames just with different suspensions on them. __________________ 87' Silverado 4x4 "Young, Dumb And Full Of Cum"

08-24-2005, 02:37 AM	#3
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	I doubt you're going to find anybody that sells new brackets. You can find trailing arm parts but mostly those are meant for cars that go around in a circle and usually have some adjustability. Some of the parts we can use. You can get adjustable brackets at SCP but you'll need two left hand sets. The reason they sell a right and a left is because the l/h have up/down adjustments and the r/h brackets are slotted for in/out. Having said all that take a look at their l/h brackets as I think you could definitely mod them to work and they are pretty cheap. A link might be nice, huh? Or whenever I get around to removing my cross member I will be selling it. But I have lowered the mounts one set of holes and welded them on per the Hot Rods to Hell kit. The reason I'm getting rid of it is I want more adjustment and got a ECE unit from Brothers to modify. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

08-24-2005, 06:54 AM	#4
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	If you're going to bag the truck, checkout the custom brace setup from Early Classic __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

08-24-2005, 07:08 AM	#5
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	I did the same excact thing 3 years ago. I found a truck box trailer & robbed all the parts. the X members are the same. those brackets are there to spread the load. you may be OK by boxing the frame if you cant find the brackets. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

08-24-2005, 08:36 AM	#6
legends Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: lebanon pa Posts: 81	Thanks for the advice so far. I guess i wasnt real clear in my original post. the brackets im referring to are the locating mounts for the front of the trailing arms. The front bolt of the trailing arm goes through this bracket. I have trailing arms and a crossmember from a donor truck but I thought it would be easier to just add the brackets to my existing leaf spring crossmember rather than removing the whole crossmember from my truck and the donor truck.

08-24-2005, 01:20 PM	#9
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	crossmember needed If he's not interested, I need that rear shock/frame reinforcement crossmember that's riveted @ the coil mount area. I've got everything else for my leaf to coil conversion, just missing that. PM & let me know what you have . . ..... Thanks, Scot __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

08-25-2005, 11:42 AM	#10
legends Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: lebanon pa Posts: 81	Im in PA. I have everything i need, just a matter of moving it from one truck to the other. Looks like a lot of rivets to grind off. Thanks for all the help.

08-25-2005, 11:47 AM	#11
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	A good air chisel with about 150 psi behind it will pop the heads off in a jiffy. If necessary you can drill the rivet head out and then even a wimpy chisel can knock it off. Use the air chisel with a pointed chisel to drive em out. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

08-25-2005, 02:38 PM	#13
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	The parts are the same long or short. They're just located in different spots on the frame. I need the crossmember only (for the shocks). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*



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