Which trucks had trailing arms?

[chevy72blu]

Hey folks,

I have been putting this off for years, but now than I plan on an LS1 and making my 72' a DD again, I want to tackle it.

My truck is a C20 LWB camper special 3/4 ton that was originally fitted with leaf springs. I converted it to half ton/5 lug with front disks and rear drums when I cut the frame and put a shortbed on it. I removed the overload springs to lower it a bit, but it still rides like a tank in the rear.

I cant see much of a patten on which trucks had the trailing arms/rear leafs. I've seen 3/4 tons and 1/2 tons with each. Mine is a Chevy if that makes a difference.

Would it be feasible to simply buy all of the factory stuff off a parts vehicle and install it? Are there any differences I should know about?

I know I need the axle perches, springs, and arms. Do I also need a panhard bar? I assume my stock cross member will work, but the PO cut it below the driveshaft opening for some reason... Never could figure that one out.

I know CPP makes a complete kit but it sure is spendy.

Thank you!

[bobs409]

Most 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive trucks had them. I think it would be the standard? with leafs being optional. (let's see if others agree or not)

[burb71]

All 1967 -72 Chevy C/10 & C20/ Trucks came standard with Coil springs, Leafs were optional.

All GMC Trucks came standard with leaf springs and coils were an option.

[chevy72blu]

Interesting, thank you.

[mcmlxix]

Once in a while they have some 67/72 tucks in the local Pick-a-Part yard... I'm heading out Nevada Pick-a-Part off Lamb & 95 this Saturday morning before its gets hot... I think they open at 8am. Come out if you're not busy or I'll let you know what I find...
MAP


If you want to upgrade over stock, Porterbuilt is an option.

[special-K]

Actually,coils were standard on Chevy and GMC 10-20 series. But,more than not,GMCs got the leaf spring option,so it would seem that was standard. You'll find more 20s with leafs than 10s. You will need the trailing arm crossmember.

[Vintage Windmills]

All 4x4's had leafs.

I have GMC's that listed leafs on the SPID, still wonder why if it was standard equipment.

[chevy72blu]

Yep, my SPID lists leafs as an option. Never noticed that before...

I know softer leafs can be had and im sure a bushing kit + new shocks would go a long way. The truck wont be used to haul other than a trip to the hardware store, so no issues there. I really just want it to ride softer back there.

mcmlixx, I actually have to help a guy pull my LS1 from his other project car early Saturday morning. I would sincerely appreciate it if you could let me know what you find!

My cross member looks to be the same as those with arms, but it is missing the brackets that bolt to them. Being that the truck had a two piece driveshaft originally, I am thinking that the PO cut the bottom of the crossmember to remove the carrier bearing and he wasnt able to get it out without pulling the motor. Its always fun finding this stuff, especially after its been in my family for 25 years. Dad swears it was that way when he bought it

[Legolas894]

I keep two 24x24" patio stones in the back of my truck and it improves the ride incredibly. I started doing that for winter driving and then left them in. A real difference having some load in there and the stones are flat enough to put things on top of them.

My $0.02.

[sanford66]

Could you just swap to 1/2 ton leafs in the rear, i think they are the same width? My 72 1/2 ton truck has leaf springs in the rear and it rides like a Cadillac. It seems like a lot of trouble to change over to coils for ride quality alone. Just my 2-cents. Joseph

[ckid1971]

I have a 72 Chevy LWB that I was converting to a SWB. Rather than cut the frame I found a short bed frame and planned to just swap over what I could (minus the bed). I did notice my LWB has the trailing arms but my new frame is set up for leaf springs. I am torn as to which direction I should go. Do I just go to leaf or convert to arms? Anybody have any suggestions? Which way would give me the better ride? I do not plan to do any hauling on this truck just a cruiser.

Thoughts?

[special-K]

You can lower and/or have a soft ride with leaf springs. There are mono-leaf lowering springs,there's spring mounts made to raise the spring end location higher on the frame,there's axle flips,there's longer shackles...These are what '73-up truck owners have done for years. I said change the crossmember because I feel that is easier than fabbing and properly locating the mounts. You could just buy an ECE crossmember with larger driveshaft opening and holes for exhaust

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

All 4x4's had leafs.

I have GMC's that listed leafs on the SPID, still wonder why if it was standard equipment.

They aren't standard equipment. They are an option on both Chevy and GMC,but most GMCs got the option.I seems intentional that GMCs were meant to come with leaf springs and Chevys with coils. But,rather than offer them that way they went across the board with coils standard and leafs optional. It's as is the factory selected that option on GMCs and if you wanted coils you had to specify. In other words,a GMC with coils was likely a special factory order that didn't list leafs as an option.

[JORGIE95961]

Originally Posted by chevy72blu

Hey folks,

I have been putting this off for years, but now than I plan on an LS1 and making my 72' a DD again, I want to tackle it.

My truck is a C20 LWB camper special 3/4 ton that was originally fitted with leaf springs. I converted it to half ton/5 lug with front disks and rear drums when I cut the frame and put a shortbed on it. I removed the overload springs to lower it a bit, but it still rides like a tank in the rear.

I cant see much of a patten on which trucks had the trailing arms/rear leafs. I've seen 3/4 tons and 1/2 tons with each. Mine is a Chevy if that makes a difference.

Would it be feasible to simply buy all of the factory stuff off a parts vehicle and install it? Are there any differences I should know about?

I know I need the axle perches, springs, and arms. Do I also need a panhard bar? I assume my stock cross member will work, but the PO cut it below the driveshaft opening for some reason... Never could figure that one out.

I know CPP makes a complete kit but it sure is spendy.

Thank you!

HEY I just did the leaf to coil converssion.. the crosmember for trailing arm is the same, just need the two brackets, youll need from the donor truck the spring mountswith the reinforcing thingy, the panhard bracket. the shock brackets. springs arms . maybe axle if you get it all for cheap.. and like 60 grade 8 3/8 3/4" bolts and two 1 1/4 "

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by chevy72blu

mcmlixx, I actually have to help a guy pull my LS1 from his other project car early Saturday morning. I would sincerely appreciate it if you could let me know what you find!

:

There were two truck in the yard. The trailing arms were missing from one and the other was leaf spring...