The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 55.2-59 4 link decision

dsraven · 11-05-2021, 04:22 PM

I was just going to mention the old 67-72 style trailing arm rear suspension.
I guess you need to figure out what you want to do with the truck and how you want it to ride. also what you have for a budget to buy suspension parts with. some diffs with the cast iron centre can be a little more difficult to install a triangulated 4 link due to the centre section being hard or impossible to weld to compared to a stamped steel centre section. that also limits your choices. really the reason to eliminate the leaf springs is to eliminate the axle/spring wrap or wheel hop that occurs when doing burnouts or racing. that can be overcome as well with the addition of a simple bar that connects the axle to the front spring hanger area or an old fashioned traction bar that eliminates axle torquing up under acceleration. 4X4 guys use these all the time due to the big lift kits. I know some builds here have used leafs and mounts from a donor, like an S10 or a ranger because they are also light trucks, and simply welded the spring mounts on the axle tubes where they need to be after getting the spring mounts attached to the frame-bolt on style. those axle mounts/pads can be bought online at a place like summit, or they can be had at a local trailer supply place, you just need to know the axle tube diameter you are working with.
https://partsavatar.ca/1994-1997-for...gaAtmFEALw_wcB

https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-722100-...95930355&psc=1

https://partsavatar.ca/1998-2002-for...IaApaREALw_wcB

11-05-2021, 04:22 PM	#9
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 7,838	Re: 4 link decision I was just going to mention the old 67-72 style trailing arm rear suspension. I guess you need to figure out what you want to do with the truck and how you want it to ride. also what you have for a budget to buy suspension parts with. some diffs with the cast iron centre can be a little more difficult to install a triangulated 4 link due to the centre section being hard or impossible to weld to compared to a stamped steel centre section. that also limits your choices. really the reason to eliminate the leaf springs is to eliminate the axle/spring wrap or wheel hop that occurs when doing burnouts or racing. that can be overcome as well with the addition of a simple bar that connects the axle to the front spring hanger area or an old fashioned traction bar that eliminates axle torquing up under acceleration. 4X4 guys use these all the time due to the big lift kits. I know some builds here have used leafs and mounts from a donor, like an S10 or a ranger because they are also light trucks, and simply welded the spring mounts on the axle tubes where they need to be after getting the spring mounts attached to the frame-bolt on style. those axle mounts/pads can be bought online at a place like summit, or they can be had at a local trailer supply place, you just need to know the axle tube diameter you are working with. https://partsavatar.ca/1994-1997-for...gaAtmFEALw_wcB https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-722100-...95930355&psc=1 https://partsavatar.ca/1998-2002-for...IaApaREALw_wcB