66 gmc leaf spring swap

[TurnNBurn]

Hi all.

I am curious can i take the coil suspension out of a 65 chevy 1/2 and swap into my 66 gmc 1/2. I'm making a custom 9" rear so thats no matter. Cut stuff out of chevy and bolt to gmc or not that simple

[LostMy65]

Yes, there is actually a recent thread where a member here did that.
Just a bolt up.

[The Rocknrod]

The trailing arm cross-member, does it need to be installed?

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

The trailing arm cross-member, does it need to be installed?

I'm pretty sure it's already there, you just need to bolt on the two arm brackets.

[LostMy65]

There's a real recent thread.
If I wasn't mobile, I'd find it and post a link to it here.

[The Rocknrod]

And a panhard bar needs to be installed.
Shock mounts.

[Moarplease]

I am doing the same..ish to mine and probably the thread mentioned. Things you could use/need from the Chevy donor you are grabbing the trailing arms for is the cross-member over the axle. this is where the stock shocks are mounted (you can get aftermarket shock re-locators to place them outside the frame behind the axle or weld lower shock mounts on your new axle to utilize your stock upper mounts instead). The bottom pieces of that cross-member make the frame double thick and provide angular support for the upper spring mounts. You can make your own pads to strengthen the frame. You will also need a panhard mount. Something that has a longer panhard bar than stock can be had from the aftermarket with bolt on brackets. All should be bolt on besides some rivet removal and few holes to drill.

The trailing arm crossmemer is there. You can use the mounts off the donor if you remove the rivets and bolt them on.



Here is my thread

Adam

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Moarplease

I am doing the same..ish to mine and probably the thread mentioned. Things you could use/need from the Chevy donor you are grabbing the trailing arms for is the cross-member over the axle. this is where the stock shocks are mounted (you can get aftermarket shock re-locators to place them outside the frame behind the axle or weld lower shock mounts on your new axle to utilize your stock upper mounts instead). The bottom pieces of that cross-member make the frame double thick and provide angular support for the upper spring mounts. You can make your own pads to strengthen the frame. You will also need a panhard mount. Something that has a longer panhard bar than stock can be had from the aftermarket with bolt on brackets. All should be bolt on besides some rivet removal and few holes to drill.

The trailing arm crossmemer is there. You can use the mounts off the donor if you remove the rivets and bolt them on.





Here is my thread

Adam

Yep, it was your thread I was referring to.

[TurnNBurn]

Thanks everyone. I looked all over but just found article about going from.spring to leaf not the other. That's great I want to air ride this truck. Is there such a thing as aftermarket arms for the rear or just build my own

[LostMy65]

I think Adam above is using aftermarket arms.
Or you can get original arms from one being parted out. I've seen them come up in the forum's marketplace from time to time.

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by TurnNBurn

Thanks everyone. I looked all over but just found article about going from.spring to leaf not the other. That's great I want to air ride this truck. Is there such a thing as aftermarket arms for the rear or just build my own

Yes there is, both CPP and POL sell them:
https://www.performanceonline.com/60...e-Performance/

[Jgowin]

I've got a 66 gmc and never realized the holes were there. Are the trailing arms the same for long and short?

[Moarplease]

Originally Posted by Jgowin

I've got a 66 gmc and never realized the holes were there. Are the trailing arms the same for long and short?

The cross member location changes for long and short so arms should be the same.

Adam

[Jgowin]

Originally Posted by Moarplease

The cross member location changes for long and short so arms should be the same.

Adam

Thanks!