64-66 4x4 Front Spring swap with 73-87

[Auctioneerhere]

Anybody done it? I am looking at building a truck for pulling & do not want to use the current 64-66 front suspension.

Advice or pictures would be great.

[padresag]

what advantage are the later springs?
ron

[Auctioneerhere]

Originally Posted by padresag

what advantage are the later springs?
ron

Longer & Negative arch, for pulling we want our front ends as soft as we can get them.

[Captainfab]

You are going to have to change the spring hangers and shackles both front and rear to the '73-'87 units.

[Auctioneerhere]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You are going to have to change the spring hangers and shackles both front and rear to the '73-'87 units.

Thanks!

[padresag]

here are examples of the later frt spring being installed in 63-66 frames
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=448681&page=3
ron

[Auctioneerhere]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You are going to have to change the spring hangers and shackles both front and rear to the '73-'87 units.

Thinking about this... Couldn't I just use the stock {66} back hangers & do a leaf spring center hold adjustment on a new pair of springs?

Originals look like they are 44 inches & look like they are centered on the spring bolt. Newer ones are 47 & I am thinking I could just off set the center olt location. It appears there is plenty of room on the front frame for the newer brackets.

I might just mock this up & bush out the rear of the front spring.

I am also considering jut moving the spring perch hole on the front end axle it self.

[padresag]

springs are a different width I believe
ron

[Captainfab]

Ron is correct. The '64-'66 springs are narrower and use a bronze bushing with a steel bushing (?) in the center. The '73-'87 springs are wider and use rubber bushings. That is why I recommended changing the spring hangers and shackles along with the springs.

['63GENIII]

If you are looking for softer / longer springs and have to swap out the hangers anyway, you might look into swapping a set of '73 and up 52" rear springs from a C or K series half ton truck. Its a pretty straightforward swap, same amount of work as swapping newer springs and the results will be greater in terms of softening up the ride while keeping a positive (although small) arch in the front springs.

Im guessing that you are looking to keep the front wheels down from launch to end of pull. The longer springs have way more droop and are way more compliant than a 45" spring could ever be.

With the right front hanger / core support, you can actually move your front axle forward, backward or keep the location that its currently in. I moved mine forward 1". Worked out great for my application.

[padresag]

these are the shackle pins used for the reaf of 64 frt springs.

to bad you were not closer as I have every thing you need from an 84 frt end
ron

[Auctioneerhere]

Thanks for the tips, I have lots of parts trucks, So one way or another I will get it done.

Thanks