Will trailing arms from a '66 chevy short wide fit on my '81 short wide?

[Hazieview]

Hey guys I was wondering if the trailing arms off of my old '66 short bed would fit on my '81 short bed. It sure would save me a lot of money.

I would also like to use the crossmember if I could.

Thanks
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[80streetcoupe]

I've never done it before, although years ago I did think about it. Get out a tape measure and start taking down measurements. I am sure some welding and manufacturing may be required as well cuz you are mixing parts from different yrs.
Just my 2cents werth!!

[higgiec10]

check this out
http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...-for-73-87-C10

[Hazieview]

My '66 has everything that kit had! Looks like I need to bust out the tape measure and torch!
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[Magnimike1]

CPP makes a retro kit also if you didn't know.

[Hazieview]

I really don't to buy anything else. I was just wondering if anyone attempted to put the '66 traling arms on a square body or if anyone sees why it may not work.

Thanks for any and all feedback guys!
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[k5warwagon]

I asked that very question (only I said 67 to 72 trailing arms) on the "Make It Handle" thread. Rob at no limit said go for it.

[Hazieview]

I think I will try it out. Is anyone here even running trailing arms?
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[67_SS396]

Not yet, but if I decide not to do a one link, then I will swap in a set of trailing arms. That swap is way down the road though. If you have the tools and fabrication skills, it shouldn't be too tough of a job, just time consuming.
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[SCOTI]

There's a couple of members trucks that have done the swap using a 'kit'. I can't recall any that did the swap making their own x-member.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by Hazieview

I really don't to buy anything else. I was just wondering if anyone attempted to put the '66 traling arms on a square body or if anyone sees why it may not work.

Thanks for any and all feedback guys!
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I would at least buy a crossmember. They are inexpensive enough that the money spent would be way ahead of cutting out and modifying one to go in. Porterbuilt bolt in crossmembers with a lot more adjustment are only $349. The ones from Early Classic and Performance are less expensive than that, but don't have the range of adjustments.

Originally Posted by k5warwagon

I asked that very question (only I said 67 to 72 trailing arms) on the "Make It Handle" thread. Rob at no limit said go for it.

Yeah, leaf springs are not very popular in that thread.

Originally Posted by Hazieview

I think I will try it out. Is anyone here even running trailing arms?
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I have been doing quite a bit of research lately, with Scoti's help. I am just about there, but debating on brakes and wheels/tires before I pull the trigger.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I would at least buy a crossmember. They are inexpensive enough that the money spent would be way ahead of cutting out and modifying one to go in. Porterbuilt bolt in crossmembers with a lot more adjustment are only $349. The ones from Early Classic and Performance are less expensive than that, but don't have the range of adjustments.

Yeah, leaf springs are not very popular in that thread.


I have been doing quite a bit of research lately, with Scoti's help. I am just about there, but debating on brakes and wheels/tires before I pull the trigger.

Classic Perf Parts & Porterbuilt are the only 2 manufacturers building a 'bolt-in' swap kit for installing truck-arms into 73-87 leaf applications. Hot Rods 2 Hell makes a universal/truck kit that's a weld-in.

From my research, you can't just slide a 63-72 T/A x-member between the rails of the 73-87 & expect it to work. The rear portion of the frames kick up @ different locations so the x-member actually would need to be set-up so it goes on the bottom of the frame vs. between the rails like 63-72's.

Of the 'kits' offered, Porterbuilts set-up offers the greatest flexibility in articulation & adjustment.

[Jonboy]

True. The ECE crossmember states it is for pre '73 trucks, the one from Performance Online comes up in a search for '74 parts, but may be pre '73 as well. The PB crossmember is a really nice tubular work of art. I really like it.

[Hazieview]

My biggest hold up on the whole deal is this:

A bolt in parallel 4 link is WAY expensive imo.

A triangulated 4 link is cheaper but will have to be welded in permanently.

Trailing arms would possibly be free in my situation. As long as the modification did not have to be too great.

It should be pretty simple to see if they won't work at all. I just need to take both beds off and compare measurements. If it does not work then I didn't lose any cash at all..

Just thinking out loud.... I was hoping someone would tell me they would not work! It sure would save me some time.
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[Jonboy]

The arms themselves should work just fine. If you are going to do this, you will need to put the correct mounts on your rear axle, and get a trailing arm crossmember. If you are going to lower it as well, I would look at the PB setup (and just get the arms from him also).

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Hazieview

My biggest hold up on the whole deal is this:

A bolt in parallel 4 link is WAY expensive imo.

A triangulated 4 link is cheaper but will have to be welded in permanently.

Trailing arms would possibly be free in my situation. As long as the modification did not have to be too great.It should be pretty simple to see if they won't work at all. I just need to take both beds off and compare measurements. If it does not work then I didn't lose any cash at all..

Just thinking out loud.... I was hoping someone would tell me they would not work! It sure would save me some time.

Originally Posted by Jonboy

The arms themselves should work just fine

The T/A's will work well in a 73-87, just like they did from 63-72. The key item is locating the front pivot point as you cannot utilize the factory T/A x-member because of the difference in frame kick-ups. The other mounting obstacles will be:

the upper spring mounts
upper/lower shock mounts
Panhard bar mounts (frame & rear end housing)

Would this suspension set-up be easier to install vs. a 4-bar set-up? They both have obstacles that would require fabrication or higher costs for 'kit' parts to ease installation. Whether it's easier and/or cost effective vs. the 4-bar install would be subjective to the guy doing the work.

[67_SS396]

Grab some steel, fire up the plasma and the welder and get to it! If I come across a set of arms cheaper than I can buy the steel to do a one link, I've talked myself into making this my next project after getting the truck running. If you didn't have the arms available cheap, you can always make your own. I like four links, but they can be a pain to dial in.
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[SBTork]

Originally Posted by higgiec10

check this out
http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...-for-73-87-C10

anyone know if this will fit a 'burb?

[68c10owner]

Man I really like the porterbuilt set up. Definatly something to think about for the future. Anyone know if it`s going to be available with regular coil springs or is it air bag only?