coil spring to leaf spring swap

[62 bigwindow]

Curious if anyone has ever swapped a rear coil sping frame (C10) over to use leaf springs (GMC) Any ideas what I may get into swapping over to use shortbed frame from a longbed

[62 bigwindow]

any help???

[gimmy 64]

first of all why would you want to change to leafs? coil springs ride smoother and are alot easier to modify. i had a 64 gmc and to get the backend down was alot more trouble than a coil spring .if you wanted to change it you would need to weld the leaf perches to the axle and find the brackets to mount the leaves to the frame. or you can buy a GMC

[padresag]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

first of all why would you want to change to leafs? coil springs ride smoother and are alot easier to modify. i had a 64 gmc and to get the backend down was alot more trouble than a coil spring .if you wanted to change it you would need to weld the leaf perches to the axle and find the brackets to mount the leaves to the frame. or you can buy a GMC

perhaps he doesn't want to lower it so that may not pertain to it
ron

[padresag]

Originally Posted by 62 bigwindow

Curious if anyone has ever swapped a rear coil sping frame (C10) over to use leaf springs (GMC) Any ideas what I may get into swapping over to use shortbed frame from a longbed

you have 2 things going on here. which are you after or does the swb have a leaf spring suspension and you are trying to figure which way to go??
ron

[hotrod66]

i did mine, i just cut the rivets off the frame that held on the perches on the donor gmc, then just used common holes as reference points so i could drill the same holes in my chev.i just bought grade 8 bolts to hold it all together. all in all not a bad experience its easier to do with no bed though.

[62 bigwindow]

Thanks so much for the imput
My delema(unsure on spelling) is I bought a really good deal in a 66 GMC longbed
The truck is VERY solid and has a lot of new parts with 350ci motor and turbo 350 trans
I have a 63 C10 rolling chassis with coil springs in the rear. The main issue is the GMC is
8 lug (3/4 ton?) with a brand new disc brake kit on the front and BRAND new aluminum wheels and new tires. Soooo my thinking is make a 66 GMC shortbed that is 8lug with disc brakes....... open to thoughts and imput please.....

[62 bigwindow]

The cab is very solid, new doors,fenders, all new glass and rubbers, new door glass and vent windows with all new hardware and seals, ididit tilt cteering column, aftermarket wiring harness, autometer gauges, gas tank under the bed new disc brake kit and CPP booster and master cylinder
So how odd would a 3/4 ton fleetside short bed be with 8lug wheels and disc brakes be????

[66Submarine]

I think a 3/4 ton SWB would be pretty neat to see, but I'm a fan of the 3/4-1 ton stuff.

[62 bigwindow]

thought it would be different and kinda cool
just thought it would be hard to sell 8lug wheels since they are 15 x8 and 15x10
and the disc brake kit.all of which are brand new. Really more work than I wanted to get into but the outcome will be unique and I think would sell better than a long bed..

[LVPhotos]

If your going to sell it why fix it? If it is a good solid truck and you want a 1/2 ton short bed then sell it and start with another truck. Or drop the ride height. I like a good solid 3/4 ton at stock height. Use the other frame with another doner.

[62 bigwindow]

well that was also a thought I have a 66 swb c10 with full porterbuilt I have been working on as well. this truck is really nice but the bed is pretty bad. Honestly needs a bed but cab is as solid as you will find.. might finish the brakes and exhaust and a drive shaft and should be ready to drive........or sell

[Captainfab]

If you're just looking to sell the truck, I would try selling it as a longbed first and see if you get any buyers. When you change frames you have the issue of the frame and body having different VIN's.

[argonaut]

You could cut the long bed frame down and install a short bed on it and go to a one piece driveshaft. Would also need a new rear brake line.

[62 bigwindow]

Well cutting the frame was the first thought but I had someone tell me that doing a frame swap would be less work?? I am open to any and everyones opinon .. my major thought was it is a 8 lug truck and long bed I have a 63 c10 shortbed chassis ...and I would prefer it be a shortbed of course. BUT the wheels tires and disc brake are BRAND new so why not use them since they might be a hard item to sell. So do I ....

A. cut the longbed frame down and not have to remove the cab and drive train

B. swap everything and the leaf springs and rearend (to keep it 8lug) over to the c10 shortbed and make a 3/4 ton shortbed

C.. part it out and use what I need for my 66 c10 and sell the rest

D.. finish the few things it needs to be drivable and try to locate a fleetside longbed for it


PLEASE GUYS whats your thoughts....

[argonaut]

Another option would be to swap the front crossmember and suspensiononto the 1/2 ton short frame. Then remove the 3/4 ton axle, cut the leaf perches off, weld the trailing arm perches on, and bolt it in. You can then do the reverse and make the long bed into a 1/2 ton.

This seems like the easiest option to me. I think CaptainFab has new perches for sale but I'm not sure if they are radiused for the 3/4 ton axle tube. And you can buy new 2.5" wide leaf perches from many places.

[62 bigwindow]

I had thought of swapping over the trailing arm perches and remove the leaf spring perches but wasnt how much would be involved and wasn't sure if I wanted to cut them off a good rear end

[argonaut]

If you've got adequate welding gear then it shiuld be no problem. Use a cutoff wheel on angle grinder to cut the old ones off then grind smooth. Get the new ones located and burn them on. Job done. The rest is a bolt in.

[62 bigwindow]

Keep going back and forth and the cab and front end of this truck are just too nice to part out
so still thinking how nice of a shortbed this would make...