conversion to leaf springs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gabet40 · 06-14-2002, 05:16 AM

my rear ends shot so im lookin to switch out my rearends. i have two friends that have some six lug rear ends theyll give me but theyre both leaf springs. is the conversion easy for us? have many people done it?
if this is a stupid question, please forgive me, i havent looked into it at all lol thanx in advance

68 Suburban · 06-14-2002, 05:25 AM

I think you would be better off converting the rearend to coil springs.

tom hand · 06-14-2002, 07:17 AM

Chevy Duty sells a weld on kit to convert a rear end to fit the coil setup, much easier.

SCOTI · 06-14-2002, 12:31 PM

While converting the rears to coils is the quickest way it may not be the best (for you)if you don't have access to a welder or if the local welder charges an arm & a leg. Another solution is to get all the leaf brackets & crossmembers from a 67-72 truck that the rears came from as you won't need a welder. Just grind off the old rivets & bolt everything back together & use grade 8 hardware. This would also be a good time to flip the rear end if your gonna lower it.

Yellow Cheyenne · 06-14-2002, 04:05 PM

It can defenitely be done. Did it once to a '69 1/2 ton. You will need the donor vehicle to get all of the brackets and other trinkets that are different when comparing a coil to leaf suspension. Would probably be easier to get their rearends converted to coil, but as stated above, converting to leaf could be done with grinder, punch, BA hammer, and some bolts. Good luck with which ever you choose. Keep in mind that the drive shaft should be changed also as they are differnet, the leaf drive shaft has a sliding joint where the coil does not.

06-14-2002, 05:16 AM	#1
gabet40 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 565	conversion to leaf springs? my rear ends shot so im lookin to switch out my rearends. i have two friends that have some six lug rear ends theyll give me but theyre both leaf springs. is the conversion easy for us? have many people done it? if this is a stupid question, please forgive me, i havent looked into it at all lol thanx in advance __________________ Current owner of 2016 2500 Silverado Midnight Edition. Former owner of: 69 1/2 ton, change from long/fleet to short/fleet, shaved door handles, shaved tailgate, 4/6 drop, power windows, 700r4 72 blazer, 350 with Holley Commander 950 DFI, crane energizer cam, 350 tranny, dual sanderson blockhuggers/magnaflow exhaust

06-14-2002, 05:25 AM	#2
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I think you would be better off converting the rearend to coil springs. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

06-14-2002, 07:17 AM	#3
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Chevy Duty sells a weld on kit to convert a rear end to fit the coil setup, much easier. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

06-14-2002, 12:31 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	While converting the rears to coils is the quickest way it may not be the best (for you)if you don't have access to a welder or if the local welder charges an arm & a leg. Another solution is to get all the leaf brackets & crossmembers from a 67-72 truck that the rears came from as you won't need a welder. Just grind off the old rivets & bolt everything back together & use grade 8 hardware. This would also be a good time to flip the rear end if your gonna lower it. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

06-14-2002, 04:05 PM	#5
Yellow Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eastern Kansas Posts: 488	It can defenitely be done. Did it once to a '69 1/2 ton. You will need the donor vehicle to get all of the brackets and other trinkets that are different when comparing a coil to leaf suspension. Would probably be easier to get their rearends converted to coil, but as stated above, converting to leaf could be done with grinder, punch, BA hammer, and some bolts. Good luck with which ever you choose. Keep in mind that the drive shaft should be changed also as they are differnet, the leaf drive shaft has a sliding joint where the coil does not. __________________ '72 Cheyenne. AC, PS, PB, Rear slider window, tilt. Light yellow (grapefruit yellow according to new sales literature from '72) '56 Chevy short step V-8 (My dad bought it new!!) '70 Olds 442 convertible '70 Olds Rallye 350



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