can i change a leaf spring rear axle to a coil spring rear axle

[oldblue1968chevy]

need a 5 lug rear end, ive got one from my gmc, but its leaf springs, can i weld perches for the coil springs onto the leaf spring axle, cut the perch off my 6 lug coil rear end and put em on the leaf spring?


thanks!

[slosteve]

You can if you're good at cutting & welding. But being that you're asking these questions, I'd suspect you're not that experienced as a fabricator.
My main concerns would be; can you cut the coil spring perches off cleanly enough to have a good piece to weld back on. Do you know how to set your pinion angle correctly when installing the perches? And do you know to not weld them on in one continuous weld as that might distort the axle tube?

[67chevy3/4tontruck]

ive seen a old chevy truck like that befor

[oldblue1968chevy]

slosteve, HA, me experienced fabricator lol goodone, no im no fabricator, but have somebody that offered to do it for me okay, heres my scenario

i can use my 5 lug rear end thats leaf springs that i already have, its been, 'non rolling' for a year now


or i can use a coil spring 5 lug rear end with swb bed thats rusted to heck that i'll have to buy, hasnt 'rolled' in 5-10 years lol (its a trailer)

do i have to set the 'pinoin' angle in the rearend if i go with choice #2?

[EA69TRK]

cant u just swap 5 lug and 6 lug axles?

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by EA69TRK

cant u just swap 5 lug and 6 lug axles?

They are probably different lengths. The 71-72's were widerr to match the wider track of the 5 lug disc brakes.

I would just use the 5 lug leaf rear, if it is in good shape, or wait for a 5 lug coil rear...they are pretty common.

[oldblue1968chevy]

YEAH diff lengths....


but will i have to adjust the pinion angle if i swap 6lug coil to 5 lug coil thanks

[slosteve]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

but will i have to adjust the pinion angle if i swap 6lug coil to 5 lug coil thanks

NO, I'm sure they would be the same.
If your friend that offered to do the work has the skills, setting the pinion shouldn't be a problem. I've not personally done this particular swap, but take your coil spring rear out and set it on some jack stands or whatever and note the pinion angle (using an angle finder) with the coil spring pads setting on something firm. Make notes, pictures or whatever and then cut the pads off. After cutting the leaf spring pads off of the other rear end, set it on your coil spring pads at the same angle and tack them. Does that make sense?

[oldblue1968chevy]

well unless the rearend and bed are outragiously high (im not spending over 50 bucks!) ima use the coil rear

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm doing this swap right now. I just cut the old leaf springs pads off and cleaned the axle tube. I bought new coil spring type axle saddles from ECE for cheap. Match the pinion angle of the original rearend and weld the saddles on tight.

I am running a super track bar for a panhard since the leaf type of rear doesn't have the place on it for the track bar to bolt to.