Leaf to coil

[70stroker]

I am wanting to swap my 70 gmc from leaf springs to coil springs, I know i need the crossmember that the arms attach to, and the arms themselfs. Ill also have to weld on new spring perchs. I have to main questions for you who know the answers.

What about a panhard bar, my gmc doesnt have the attachment point for it on the axle housing.

Is there anything im not thinking of?

thanks in advance

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 70stroker

I am wanting to swap my 70 gmc from leaf springs to coil springs, I know i need the crossmember that the arms attach to, and the arms themselfs. Ill also have to weld on new spring perchs. I have to main questions for you who know the answers.

What about a panhard bar, my gmc doesnt have the attachment point for it on the axle housing.

Is there anything im not thinking of?

thanks in advance

I think leaf trucks already have the crossmember that the trailing arms attach to, they just don't have the specific brackets (my leaf frame has the t.arm crossmember).

If your going to lower it, get an aftermarket "super" bar type kit. It uses specific brackets vs. the factory rear-end mount.

[jmking9]

I just done this conversion a couple of weeks ago on my swb frame. SCOTI is right, all you need for the center x-member is the brackets that the control arms attach to. They just bolt in, the correct holes are already in your crossmember. You will want to remove the crossmember that is located at the front leaf spring hangers. You'll also need to find the crossmember that is directly above the rearend from a coil truck. This is the piece that the coils attach to and also where the upper shock mounts are located. The only tricky part is getting that new crossmember in the exact right location, if you dont, nothing will line up. I looked off of a different truck, took those measurements and lined the new x-member up and drilled the new holes. Went together very well and is really not that hard if the bed is off.
Also you will need the small bracket that goes on the driver side frame rail that the track bar mounts to. The holes to mount it are already in the correct spot you'll just have to drill out 3 rivets and bolt the piece in. Like SCOTI said, A super track bar would be the way to go. With these, the other (passenger) end of the longer track bar bolts to a bracket that is attached to the passenger side trailing arm instead of the "pumpkin".
I hope this is understandable and helps you out a little. If you need any more pics or measurements I think I still have them wrote down somewhere. Just let me know.
BTW, ever take youre truck to MOKAN? -Jonathan

[70stroker]

King if you have any pics that would be awesome. I figured i just go track bar after seein it in a mag. my main worry about all this was having to change rear ends after i just put in a 3400 dollar rearend in my truck. If you happen to have any parts on a old truck that would be cool also after im only about 20 min away from you. And yes im go to mokan quite a bit to watch and about 3 times a year to race. I was just out there about 3 weeks ago with the truck and lacked a little bit traction thats my main reason for doing this... to hook better and fit a bigger stickier tire up in there. thanks for the help ill be looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks to you to scoti.

[Frizzle Fry]

You can also get new cradles to weld onto your axle tubes (for the trailing arms/U-bolts) from ECE.

[chevydog66]

www.stockcarproducts.com has some parts you might need.