'60-'66 Chevy 4wd w/rear trailing arms

[pinefieldfarm]

I came across a '65 Chevy 4x4 longbed that someone was driving locally and got a chance to take a close look at it. The truck was to the best of my knowledge a 2wd to 4wd conversion because it had an open knuckle (Dana 44?) front axle with leaf springs and the stock coil spring/trailing arm rear suspension. I thought it was so cool that I've decided to convert my '61 2wd longbed to 4wd.

Has anyone here done this conversion or seen anything like it? Or did GM make 4wd trucks like this for any special reason? It seems like it would be far superior to leaf spring rear suspension, but would be limiting in regards to modifying and lifting the truck or rear axle.

[j.kirn]

why would it be superior

[pinefieldfarm]

Better articulation and softer.

[pinefieldfarm]

By the way, nice K20!

['63GENIII]

Yeah I've seen it before. Only on an old (60s) something FJ something or other Toyota pickup. The guy had trailing arms out of an early 60 c20. Had a 14bff bolted to it. I'm not sure about how he had the pan hard rod in there but I do know it was REAL flexy and that he actually wheeled it pretty hard. It was a cool set up
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[bosephus]

Watching this one, I've got a 61 long bed that I would like to convert. A 79 k-5 blazer may be the donor but keeping the trailing arms sounds cool. Hope someone with experience with this chimes in!

[argonaut]

There is another post in here somewhere. Try a search.

I've seen a 72 2wd to 4wd conversion done this way. You cut the mount brackets off the axle tubes and remount them on top. You can then mount the axle beneath the trailing arms. You get lift without having to mess with new springs or the geometry of the suspension. Up front you can weld on or bolt on hangers and leaf springs and a solid axle from a 4wd donor of your choice. Don't forget the transfer case!
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