S10 leaf swap

[jdougla9]

Has anyone here had any luck swapping leaf springs from the skinny 1-3/4 to a more modern 2 1/2 wide spring like from an S10? I am looking into redoing my rear suspension on my 52 and I am leaning towards swapping the stock rear leaves and hangers to split mono leaf S10 with caltrac bars.

[Dave0]

Originally Posted by jdougla9

Has anyone here had any luck swapping leaf springs from the skinny 1-3/4 to a more modern 2 1/2 wide spring like from an S10? I am looking into redoing my rear suspension on my 52 and I am leaning towards swapping the stock rear leaves and hangers to split mono leaf S10 with caltrac bars.

I did, I used Ranger brackets for the swap.... Find my build in the build section...

[jdougla9]

Originally Posted by Dave0

I did, I used Ranger brackets for the swap.... Find my build in the build section...

I saw your truck, very cool. I was wondering if it would be possible to relocate the mounts inboard the frame or parallel under the frame for tire clearance. I am getting ready to switch from a 28x10.5 to a 315-60-15 radial on the back...

[jdougla9]

Also planning on running a calvert split mono spring for an S10 and there bars.

[mr48chev]

Those 80 something Dodge mini vans have bolt on spring hangers on both ends. Every do it yourself yard around here usually has several of those in it. There was a thread on some board (it may have been here) on using springs hangers and all from one on AD trucks. There are two lengths of springs depending on if it's a short or long wheelbase van.

I'm also thinking that the 92 Dakota I have out here for a suspension donor for mine has bolt on hangers. I plan to run those rear springs and hangers on my 48. That will match the front suspension with the Industrial Chassis crossmember.

I had to look up the Caltrac Bars and I have to assume that you don't plan any extra lowering of the rear beyond what the springs allow as that setup will hang down pretty low below the spring. Wicked setup for pro street or hitting the quarter with though. https://www.calvertracing.com/caltracs.html

[joedoh]

I havent done it, but if I did I would use a hole saw to cut out the rear leaf bushing from the s10 frame, and cut/drill out the rivets that hold the front leaf mounts to the frame, and use them both on the stock frame. that would let the spring be under the frame for more tire clearance.

[Dave0]

Originally Posted by jdougla9

I saw your truck, very cool. I was wondering if it would be possible to relocate the mounts inboard the frame or parallel under the frame for tire clearance. I am getting ready to switch from a 28x10.5 to a 315-60-15 radial on the back...

Im sure you can but the further out they are, the better the ride...

[jdougla9]

Yes I have been debating using the S10 frame mount but i will look at the dodge ones also. I might just end up buying the split monos from calvert and fab up up the mounts around the springs and caltrac bars. I am running a 315-60-15 rear tire so the truck will not sit that low to interfere with the caltracs to begin with.

I am not too concerned about the ride. The truck is not a drive anywhere machine as is (4000rpm converter, 4.33 rears, .600 lift cam, 12:1 small block with squeeze) and the motor I am currently screwing together is even more over the edge than this one. I basically am building a semi race truck to take to car shows and run a decent number at the track.

[jdougla9]

thank you all for the great ideas I love this forum!

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by jdougla9

I am not too concerned about the ride. The truck is not a drive anywhere machine as is (4000rpm converter, 4.33 rears, .600 lift cam, 12:1 small block with squeeze) and the motor I am currently screwing together is even more over the edge than this one. I basically am building a semi race truck to take to car shows and run a decent number at the track.

sounds super slick!