Why dont our trucks have 3 link??

[spinem]

like the 67-72's!!??

was it an option?? whos switched everything over from a 67-72!!?? always wanted to do it....

[mongoose]

no trucks have 3 links?...

those years have truck arms....


and it's really hard to package a 3 link that's why not very many production vehicles have them... you need a lot of room to make one work properly.

[spinem]

well what ever the hell they call it, why didnt they ever make our truck /w/ it?
all ive ever seen is leaf.

[andrewmp6]

The truck arm is a 2 link with a panhard to keep it straight.A 3 link is more like what a 3rd/4th gen f body has 2 lower links a long torque arm and a panhard bar to keep it straight.A 3 link is set up for handling not hauling weight.Trucks are built to be used as a truck to haul weight and pull weight leaf springs the best at this.The 2nd gen ford lightnings used a 4 link but the towing weight for it was almost what a car is.But the truck arms can handle nascar has used them since the 80s tell today.

[Keith Seymore]

Cost and function.

The leaf spring not only carries the load, but also provides the rear axle locating device, all in one.

With coils, you have to have the spring (to carry the load) but then additional linkages to position the axle. It's more expensive to tool and produce.

Additionally, while coil springs provide a better ride - which is fine for passenger carrying vehicles - leaf springs allow for a higher load capacity, which is what you would want for a pickup truck.

It's actually an excellent question, and one that we wrestle with every time we start a new vehicle architecture.

K

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by spinem

like the 67-72's!!??

was it an option?? whos switched everything over from a 67-72!!?? always wanted to do it....

FYI- From 60 to 71 GM trucks came standard with trailing arm suspension and a trac-bar. From 67-71 most GMC's came with leaf springs. You could order coil spring GMC and leaf spring Chevys. In 1972 they all became leaf spring, disc brake and 5 lug.


If you really want trailing arm suspension, CPP makes a conversion kit..

[cableguy0]

just to clear things up the chevies were still a trailing arm setup in 72. The switch to 5 lug and disk up front was in 71. With the new body style in 73 came the leaf spring setup across the board.

[N2TRUX]

I figured I might be off a bit, but I did think all 72's were leaf spring

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I figured I might be off a bit, but I did think all 72's were leaf spring

they are not all leaf spring..i lowerd my uncles 72 and it has coils

[cableguy0]

Most 72 chevies I have ever seen were still coil spring. The official changeover was in 73 with the new body style. 72 had a lot of 1 year only changes. Now gmc trucks came factory with leafs and coils were the option for whatever reason.