Changing leafs to 4 link?

[chevydog66]

I have a 72 GMC long bed with rear leafs. I think I have decided on on installing a 4 link ARS14500. I do need to install a C notch kit, right? Anyone installed a 4 link in our trucks. I know that the guys at ART are knowledgeable, as well.

[jlaird]

that kit really isn't made for your truck. What i'm trying to say is it isn't going to just weld-on without modification because the rear framerails are not straight on the 67-72.

If your willing to fab up additional bracketry to get the front mounts of the 4-link to attach to the framerails, then it will work just fine. Also, depending on how low you want to go, your going to want a least a c-notch with this setup.

[70short/step]

here is a link to see what was done on my short step. If you wanna drop it low at least a C-notch is needed. You can also see that with the ART 4 link how we spaced out the fron of the 4 link because our frames are wider at the axle and narrower going forward.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=179176

[chevydog66]

Oh, well screw that then!! I'm not into extensive steel fab work. Maybe I will just convert my truck over to trailing arm bars. Anyone have some decent ones for sale?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chevydog66

Oh, well screw that then!! I'm not into extensive steel fab work. Maybe I will just convert my truck over to trailing arm bars. Anyone have some decent ones for sale?

Instead of getting ART's 4-link kit you could get their 60-72 Trailing Arm Kit. It should have everything you need to change your truck over to the trailing arm suspension.

Of course it would be cheaper to get a set-up from someones junked project . . ....

[chevydog66]

I just checked ART site and could not find their 60-72 trailing arm kit.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chevydog66

I just checked ART site and could not find their 60-72 trailing arm kit.

Go to their web site & under the 'New Products' icon look for this: New!!! 63-72 GM C-10 Trailing Arm & Crossmember StrongArm Kit

[blazer2007]

do they make a trailing arm setup for 78 blazers?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by blazer2007

do they make a trailing arm setup for 78 blazers?

Not a 'bolt-in' kit. HotRodstoHell makes a 'universal' kit that could prob be adapted to work.

For the cost & the amount of work it would take to adapt it to your 78 Blazer, you might be better off getting an aftermarket trailing-arm crossmember (ECE, ART, CCP, or stock GM) since they're 33" wide which is just the right width to slip inside your frame rails (dbl check the measurement under your floorpan roughly where the pass's feet would hit the floor)..... meaning it could be bolted-in after drilling the necessary holes in the frame rails.

Then pick-up some used arms from a board member, get the correct 'pads' to locate the arms to the rear-end housing (also available from ECE, CPP, stock car products). Another alternative is a complete rear-end out of a 67-72. The 67-70 rears would be slightly narrower (1.5"); 71-72 about the same. Make your own reinforcement area where the springs will mount (box the frame) & run a crossmember (it could be a piece of sq/round tubing) for shock mounts. Get a Super Track-Bar' kit from ECE for keeping it all centered.

The HR2H kit would be more adjustable if you have the $$. If not, you could piece everything together on a smaller budget & have the adjustability that came factory engineered from GM on 60-72 trucks.

[mullit]

web address for hotrods to hell?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by mullit

web address for hotrods to hell?

http://www.hotrodstohell.net/index.htm