Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info

[nlped]

DO IT!!!! Plus it would provide a great location for air bags in the future. Really good load capacity then, and fantastic ride quality .

[djracer]

I love the trailing arms. It kills me when folks take them out for ladder bars and such. I think it would help you get the new found power to the ground. If you don't plan to go super low you can use coilovers instead of instead of coil springs. I usually do this to my trailing arm trucks.

[glock35ipsc]

I'm with you Kevin. Anytime I hear people talk bad about trailing arms I always think of your Pass Time video and the guy questioning the stock suspension. I LOVE the ride of trailing arms, and how they put the power down.

I've been pouring over pictures for the last 30 minutes of both trucks and cannot see where this should be too big of a deal other than exhaust, and that's fairly easy to work around. I'm also thinking I can use the Suburban frame to do a mock-up of this to see what issues I might come up against.

[joe231]

Several guys on here have converted, and I think CPP even makes a kit. I have been hoping Porterbuilt would make a conversion. I have been throwing around the idea for sometime, just haven't followed through with it.
The trailing arms are better for cornering also. There is a white truck online that has been converted and is used in road courses.
I'll see if I can find the link.


http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...iling_Arms.htm

[glock35ipsc]

Oh sweet!!! Thanks! I wish their pictures were bigger, but that will be some great help.

[joe231]

Try this one
it might be better
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/08...kit/index.html

[glock35ipsc]

CPP's conversion kit is $609 without the trailing arms, or $1199 for a kit with arms. Not bad I suppose, but other than the panhard bar, I have everything I need to do it.

Oh yeah, much better pics. Thanks!!

[joe231]

Yeah
my plan was to rob all the stuff from one of the 63-66 frames sitting in the field at my wife's uncle's place, super cheap, just some metal work.

[glock35ipsc]

Oh yeah, I'm doing this!!!!

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Oh yeah, I'm doing this!!!!

ut oh! where's the popcorn!!??!!

[joe231]

[rongstad]

Bob,

Youre killin me; I haven't even cracked a wrench on my 86/6.0 install and here you go...addin to my to-do list...

[djracer]

This should be good! I didn't know that anybody made a kit. I'd like to stress test those tubular arms.

[joe231]

Have you guys seen the PB trailing arms and crossmember?

[glock35ipsc]

Yes, and they are bad a$$!

[joe231]

[mcbassin]

This should be interesting. Also, the P/B kit looks awesome! It looks super solid too.

[glock35ipsc]

I like the PB stuff too, always great quality. Especially for the price!

This swap however will probably run about $100.

[Driveway Dreams]

Oh Dayam! Here we go again.
(Think musical here) Da dada daaaaa SUPER BOB!

[bluex]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=364043

Here is a tread with some more info. I want to do this swap as well. I dont have the tools and fab skils to use all 67-72 parts though. My plan is to use CPP's kit without the arms. Just trying to get the $$ for it. That and I need a set of stock 67-72 arms too....

Lots of good info in that thread!

[glock35ipsc]

Yeah I read that one. There isn't a whole lot of fab work to do. Probably the most fab work that will need done is the building the upper spring perches. The crossmember will slide right in to the frame. I could use the 68's upper shock mounts and crossmember, but I will probably just build a new one. The more I researched this today, I finally came to the conclusion that this is really a pretty straight forward swap.

Either way you go, you're gonna need a welder.

[bluex]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Yeah I read that one. There isn't a whole lot of fab work to do. Probably the most fab work that will need done is the building the upper spring perches. The crossmember will slide right in to the frame. I could use the 68's upper shock mounts and crossmember, but I will probably just build a new one. The more I researched this today, I finally came to the conclusion that this is really a pretty straight forward swap.

Either way you go, you're gonna need a welder.

Ya I know. Just FYI, Jeff from CPP said in a thread in the suspension forum he can sell pieces of the kit. That got me thinking that I could just buy the parts to attach the arms and shocks to my rear, the c-notch plate with spring mount built in and the upper shock crossmember. I almost had a complete 72 frame, but missed it by a few hours. So I'm back to buying the arms and using the rest of the kit. I'll keep and eye on how yours works out though....

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

That probably what I am going to do to mine. I love the trailing arm trucks. Jay

[fpjr0]

bob against my man-hood ablity to weld and normally not give up,, I am going to not do the "fred" stand mod anymore,,, any of you recommend any specific a/c relocator bracket? can my original compressor be used with some of this brackets or am I going to have to buy another compressor? I am doing some slow progress on mine, have the plates to the engine and the shell clamp to the plates,, I took a a valve cover off to see how cleans this 25k mile engine was...I always get nervous but where did you guys attached the hoist to the engine,, I have a engine leveler where I have 4 chains to hook up but I am nervous on where to grab the 5.3/4l60e combo at? .man I ask too many questions.....oh well......I am looking for the plastic housing around the a/c blower fan and the ac condensor looking thing by the fire wall on the pass. side,, I checked lmc but the sell everything except for that piece....and last question.,.. why does my power steering fluid bottle at the pump have 3 hoses? return, highpressure and? thanks on the pics about how to post the pics

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by fpjr0

I have a engine leveler where I have 4 chains to hook up but I am nervous on where to grab the 5.3/4l60e combo at?

I HATE those things. Especially when installing, they always hit the firewall and I end up taking them off. I removed the intake and bolted a chain to opposite corners of the heads. I think I did the drivers rear and passenger front.

why does my power steering fluid bottle at the pump have 3 hoses? return, highpressure and? thanks on the pics about how to post the pics

It might be a vent. What's on the end of the hose? Could you tell where it ran in the truck before you pulled it, or was there too much carnage? I don't think mine has one of those.