Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

54blackhornet · 01-28-2011, 08:04 PM

I have a 68 GMC with leafs, How difficult to swap to trailing arms ?

**N2TRUX** · 01-28-2011, 09:23 PM

If you find a donor truck or buy the aftermaket parts its not too hard. Plan on spending a LOT of time getting all those rivets out if you use a donor truck.

54blackhornet · 01-28-2011, 09:30 PM

Thanks for all the help guy's ?

mr48chev · 01-28-2011, 10:24 PM

A doner truck shouldn't be that hard to find around Lagrande. Your center crossmember should have the holes already in it for the brackets for the trailing arms to bolt to. They are riveted originally. One of the aftermarket suppliers sells the spring perches for the axle to mount your axle to the trailing arms or use the axle that came on the doner truck. Personally I always hated trailing arm suspension but that is just personal preference.

myoldchevytruck · 01-28-2011, 10:52 PM

Did the swap from leafs to trailing arms about 3 years ago. Originally bought Axle Saddle Brackets from ECE but then was fortunate to pick up a 5 lug rear end and front spindles (Thanks Joe - ChevyChase) once all the brackets and hardware was obtained, my son and I finished it in a weekend.

Trailing Arms were bought at a swap meet
6 inch drop coils from GMC Pauls
Super Track Bar from ECE
Frame and Cross Member Brackets from different board members

**Tmend** · 01-28-2011, 11:26 PM

When getting those rivets out I used hole saw cutters...there drill bit in diff sizes with a hollow center took me 15 min to remove 7 rivets I thinks that's a new record.
Posted via Mobile Device

Mike Bradbury · 01-28-2011, 11:27 PM

I did one just this summer, and was pretty straight forward. doner makes it easier but it is fun to fab your own stuff too.

**Tmend** · 01-28-2011, 11:30 PM

I can't load pics but snap-on makes them part #ga219b if someone could put up pics it would be great thanks......wok like a charm takes he heads right off

myoldchevytruck · 01-28-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmend

I can't load pics but snap-on makes them part #ga219b if someone could put up pics it would be great thanks......wok like a charm takes he heads right off

Here's the link to the Snap-On Tool you are talking about

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....4&group_ID=951

**Tmend** · 01-28-2011, 11:55 PM

Yes sir those are it not trying to steel thread but dam did those save me time......I LOVE those bits......I would rec to all members maybe we should start a new these on theses?
Posted via Mobile Device

Jeffs70 · 01-29-2011, 12:46 AM

I went and got me a donor truck and did a frame swap as I had it all apart I restored the Frame and everything I could that way.

54blackhornet · 01-30-2011, 02:10 PM

I wanted to thank everyone for the advise on the swap to trailing arms, going to do it when i can get to the truck, still have a foot or more of snow in front of the building its in right now, 29 and snowing again today.....

01-28-2011, 08:04 PM	#1
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,326	Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? I have a 68 GMC with leafs, How difficult to swap to trailing arms ?

01-28-2011, 09:23 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? If you find a donor truck or buy the aftermaket parts its not too hard. Plan on spending a LOT of time getting all those rivets out if you use a donor truck. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

01-28-2011, 09:30 PM	#3
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,326	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? Thanks for all the help guy's ?

01-28-2011, 10:24 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,500	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? A doner truck shouldn't be that hard to find around Lagrande. Your center crossmember should have the holes already in it for the brackets for the trailing arms to bolt to. They are riveted originally. One of the aftermarket suppliers sells the spring perches for the axle to mount your axle to the trailing arms or use the axle that came on the doner truck. Personally I always hated trailing arm suspension but that is just personal preference.

01-28-2011, 10:52 PM	#5
myoldchevytruck Retired Air Force Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 Posts: 1,808	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? Did the swap from leafs to trailing arms about 3 years ago. Originally bought Axle Saddle Brackets from ECE but then was fortunate to pick up a 5 lug rear end and front spindles (Thanks Joe - ChevyChase) once all the brackets and hardware was obtained, my son and I finished it in a weekend. Trailing Arms were bought at a swap meet 6 inch drop coils from GMC Pauls Super Track Bar from ECE Frame and Cross Member Brackets from different board members __________________ Harry 69' SWB Step Side 1/2 Ton w/68' Front Clip Swap from Leafs to Trailing Arms (Complete) Swap 6 Lug to 5 Lug (w/ Disk Brakes in Front) 3/6 Drop Help Support The Board Click Here For Information On How To Subscribe Krue's FAQ Page Vendors

01-28-2011, 11:26 PM	#6
Tmend Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reseda CA Posts: 1,271	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? When getting those rivets out I used hole saw cutters...there drill bit in diff sizes with a hollow center took me 15 min to remove 7 rivets I thinks that's a new record. Posted via Mobile Device

01-28-2011, 11:27 PM	#7
Mike Bradbury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego California Posts: 1,316	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? I did one just this summer, and was pretty straight forward. doner makes it easier but it is fun to fab your own stuff too. __________________ I'd rather attempt something great and fail.. than try something ordinary and succeed. Norman Vincent Peale Project: Barn Raising http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414961 Project: 30 Be Low https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=830583

01-28-2011, 11:30 PM	#8
Tmend Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reseda CA Posts: 1,271	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? I can't load pics but snap-on makes them part #ga219b if someone could put up pics it would be great thanks......wok like a charm takes he heads right off Last edited by Tmend; 01-28-2011 at 11:33 PM. Reason: No image

01-28-2011, 11:55 PM	#10
Tmend Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reseda CA Posts: 1,271	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? Yes sir those are it not trying to steel thread but dam did those save me time......I LOVE those bits......I would rec to all members maybe we should start a new these on theses? Posted via Mobile Device

01-29-2011, 12:46 AM	#11
Jeffs70 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Valley Springs, Ca Posts: 857	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? I went and got me a donor truck and did a frame swap as I had it all apart I restored the Frame and everything I could that way. __________________ My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=442487 My Picture Gallery http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0&ppuser=36004

01-30-2011, 02:10 PM	#12
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,326	Re: Leaf Springs To Trailing Arms ? I wanted to thank everyone for the advise on the swap to trailing arms, going to do it when i can get to the truck, still have a foot or more of snow in front of the building its in right now, 29 and snowing again today.....



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