Rear suspension swap

[62 short step]

I'm swapping the old 61 suspension to a newer 76. My old leafs are sagging bad! Anyway got the old off and going in with the new. Check out the pics. The last pic is how the wheel sits now mocked up. I think it needs to be moved forward about an inch. What do you all think? I think its looks funny like this.

[duallyjams]

Its going to be hard to tell until you have wait on the springs, if the wheel is not centered you could use zero rates to adjust it.

[62 short step]

Well, I have it finished. I moved the front hangers forward a couple of inches. It sits in the stock location. Stock it came with 5 inch lift blocks from the factory, now using the 76 spring hangers it sits at stock height only using a 2 inch lift block. The only thing left to do in the rear is fab up some shock mounts on the axle, thats the easy part. Cool thing is now I can use 73-87 lift kit! Now I need to do the front. I'll get pics shortly.

[skchevota]

looks good, should ride a lot better too.

[special-K]

What a great improvement,in more ways than one.

[62 short step]

Here are the pics. I'm going to tackle the front in the next couple of weeks. It should ride better than before.

[66Gilbert]

That is cool. Is the axle from the '76? Is this why you have to fab some shock mounts? Did you have to move the location of the spring pads on the axle? Did you have any holes in the frame that were to close for comfort when drilling the new holes for the hangers? The rear I think will be easier than the front. I am interested to see how good your measurements are on the placement of the spring hangers. This is a lot of work to have it dog track and not go down the road straight. Good luck on this modification and keep us posted with pics and how it rides when finished.

[62 short step]

Originally Posted by 66Gilbert

That is cool. Is the axle from the '76? Is this why you have to fab some shock mounts? Did you have to move the location of the spring pads on the axle? Did you have any holes in the frame that were to close for comfort when drilling the new holes for the hangers? The rear I think will be easier than the front. I am interested to see how good your measurements are on the placement of the spring hangers. This is a lot of work to have it dog track and not go down the road straight. Good luck on this modification and keep us posted with pics and how it rides when finished.

Gilbert, the axle is from an 89 blazer. The 61 stock lift blocks has the shock bottom mount built into the block. DIY 4x4 has some bottom shocks mounts that I'm going to order, they weld on to the axle. With the the 61 suspension I had to move the spring pads. When I put the 76 spring hangers on I bought new spring pads and bolted everything up and moved the axle where it needed to be. Then welded the spring pads to the axle. I used an existing hole in the frame where the 61 spring hanger was originally to help line up the front hanger. See pic below. That helped to align everything up, and it put the axle in the stock location which I still cant believe! I have yet to have someone follow me, but I think it will track straight.

[duallyjams]

I plan on doing the exact same thing with my rear spring on my 64 GMC.
Looks real good, can't wait to see the front.

[62 short step]

I'm taking my truck to my buddy, who is a machinest and welder. I'm going to get him to make me some new front hangers like DIY 4x4 does, but for the 60-66 gen. They will be made to accept 73-87 front springs. It will be awhile before he makes them, but I'll keep you all informed.

[62 short step]

Ok, almost have the front done. I used the stock front hangers, had to clearance the back side for the 73-87 front lift springs. Check out the first pic. I moved the front hanger up one bolt hole and it kept the front axle in the stock location. My buddy machined the bolt holes in the front hanger to 3/4 and made a 9/16 id to 3/4 od bushing to install in the front hangers so I could use the 9/16 bolts. Check out the pics.

[62 short step]

More.

[duallyjams]

What size tires are you plan on running?

[62 short step]

I have 265/75/16 on it now, but I would like 33 or 35 in tires. If I go 35 i"ll have to swap gears, I have 3:08 right now. Would like to have 3:73 gears with my 700r4. Well its done here is a before and after pic. Looks like I gained 2 1/2 inches. I think it looks good.

[62 short step]

One more.

[duallyjams]

I vote fro the 3:73 & 35

[62 short step]

Yeah, I like that combo too.

[66Gilbert]

I like the new stance of your truck with this modification. Did you have to modify anything on the the rear hanger or shackle of the front spring? Also what size lift kit are the front springs from? I take it that the rear springs are stock from the '76? Any problems like being road wild or not tracking straight.

[62 short step]

Originally Posted by 66Gilbert

I like the new stance of your truck with this modification. Did you have to modify anything on the the rear hanger or shackle of the front spring? Also what size lift kit are the front springs from?

Thanks Gilbert! The lift kit is a 4" front spring and rear block. I did not do any thing to the shackle, the angle is a good bit off. I need to move it back a little to correct it. As of now it rides 10 times better than the 61 set up, a mod well worth the time!! It tracks good down the road , seems more stable than the old suspension.

[LeftCoast32]

Great Job!!

[62 short step]

Thanks!

[Gus63]

Was this overall a difficult process to lift it, or was it fairly easy? I really like the way that your truck sits and am wondering if I could complete this in a week or so, or if it would take longer than that.

[62 short step]

Originally Posted by Gus63

Was this overall a difficult process to lift it, or was it fairly easy? I really like the way that your truck sits and am wondering if I could complete this in a week or so, or if it would take longer than that.

I did each end in a day, total 2 days of work. It was not difficult, it was the first time I have ever done this. The worst was taking the spring hangers off the old frame. A grinder and air chisel made it easier.

[caddyhack]

I know this thread is pretty old.. Im trying to get some info on if you had to do crossover steering or lengthen the drive shaft to do that lift? I was planning on doing a 2 inch taller lift than what you have I want to go with a 6 inch lift and taking off the body lift to have a suspension lift only.. do you know if I will need to do crossover or drive shaft mods with a 6 inch lift??? Any help and info would be appreciated Thanks
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[62 short step]

Caddyhack i replied to your pm. No crossover steering on my truck, I had to get a diff. driveshaft because i changed transfer case and tranny so the stock one wouldnt work. To do the 6" lift, you might have to get a longer shaft. Really dont know till you do it. From what i did to my truck it sits just as high as my buddys gmc jimmy with a 6" lift. Here is a pic.