1984 Doner Conversion

[Turtleman]

Since I've read allot of the build topics and the FAQ. Its easy to see a large number of people are adding 70's suspension to their trucks,, All for good reasons,,, Maybe I'm off camber here,, but wouldn't it be true that the later models might have a better engineered suspension,, just considering technological changes?
The Objective
To replace the entire 66 suspension front and rear
Replace shoe brakes, front and rear.
Replace the entire steering system.

I think I'm getting a little to old to ride around on the 66 suspension anymore, and the lack of a power tilt steering is just getting tiresome... when I was younger and just out of the Marines I didnt mind all that.. but I've always told people "its not the age,, its the mileage,,," and I have Allot of miles!.

Has anyone on these forums used a 1984 to convert before?

If So was there any issues with swapping out the rear springs to a leaf spring and did it change the height any?.. I like the height I have now but it wont carry very much.
I'd like to use the front suspension without changing out the cross member but I dont know what I'm walking into on any of this. I'd like to keep all this as simple as I can and I really dont like bits and pieces patch jobs, I like to change a component out and keep the "whole" component the same so if something goes on later its all one make/year to deal with. The brakes are as much a safety issue as anything, I have a set of "Prime 15 inch rims" now and I already know I'll have to buy a 6 lug disk but I've always wondered if the caliper would clear the inside rim.
Any Opinions?

[PGSigns]

The swap works from 73 to 87 for the front and are all the same if you use the ones with the 1 1/4 rotors. This is a bolt in and there is a lot of information here on it. Most folks stay with the trailing arms since the ride is good along with the handling. Take some time and do a little reading and I think you will find all the info you will need here.
Jimmy

[Captainfab]

The trailing arms and coils will ride better than leafs. If the load capacity is not enough, upgrade to C10 Suburban or C20 truck coils.

[Turtleman]

C10 Suburban or C20 truck coils it is then..

I'm off to find a parts truck

Would a 87 Chev S10 work? I've found allot of them for cheap.

[PGSigns]

No you need to find a c10 donor from 73 to 87 for the front. for the rear just order the springs you need as far as the drop goes from one of the vendors.
Jimmy

[Turtleman]

OK.... Thanks for getting me pointed in the right directions