The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-16-2018, 12:17 PM   #1
72chevylwbmo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Springfield MO
Posts: 66
Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

I am wanting to convert my truck from leaf springs to coil springs. Where would I be able to find all of the necessary brackets, arms and such at. I will be wanting to drop it a little also.

Thanks for your advice.
72chevylwbmo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2018, 12:33 PM   #2
notsolo
Registered User
 
notsolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Md
Posts: 2,451
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

Some of the trucks had the correct cross member, then you need trailing arms, rear axle perches, fab up top spring mounts. Different shock mounts. Parking brake might also be different. More than a few bits needed to swap this out. Check the parts board for needed items if your going OEM.
notsolo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2018, 01:17 PM   #3
beaterku
Registered User
 
beaterku's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Lenexa, KS
Posts: 547
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

I am in the process of doing this right now. I basically bought a from the cab back section of frame with all of the cross members, trailing arms etc... I am using the RideTech Strettgrip kit so I did not use all of the stock parts. My progress has been snail slow due to the holidays and sickness around the house. I've got the shock cross member in and working on the ridetech notches (a long story of poor templates and lots of measuring to get them mounted correctly).



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=737560
beaterku is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2018, 02:48 PM   #4
Coley
Registered User
 
Coley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Victoria, B.C
Posts: 3,794
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

One important thing in this conversion is the need for the pan hard rod (stabilizer) which mounts connects the frame to the centre diff/axle housing.
To my recollection the coil spring truck diffs have this boss cast into the diff's centre housing to accept the pan hard rod mount.
That said, if you have a leaf spring axle without this needed boss....I think you buy some type of 'clamp on' style or similar to stabilize the rear axle.

....regardless, worth looking into....or google 'pan hard rod mount' (axle)...and you will see what is going on there.

All good
Coley
__________________
....for some men, there is experience, skill and effort....for the others...there is visa and UPS LOL
1966 Chevy 1/2 ton (Florida- Red/white)
1972 Chevy 1/2 ton (California- Blue/white)
2005 Chevy Silverado HD2500/Duramax
2000 Dodge Ram 1500
Coley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2018, 09:37 PM   #5
72Cheyenne454
Registered User
 
72Cheyenne454's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 453
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

I did this too. Purchased a donor frame and swapped everything over. I also converted my truck from a 3/4 ton long bed to 1/2 ton short bed at the same time.

Miles
Attached Images
     
72Cheyenne454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 08:14 AM   #6
notsolo
Registered User
 
notsolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Md
Posts: 2,451
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

WOW, that's beautiful. Nicely done. Did you buy a Disk brake, kit or is this a Impala set up?
notsolo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 09:29 PM   #7
72Cheyenne454
Registered User
 
72Cheyenne454's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 453
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by notsolo View Post
WOW, that's beautiful. Nicely done. Did you buy a Disk brake, kit or is this a Impala set up?
Thank you. I bought a kit from CPP when they had them on sale. I believe they are Cadillac calipers. If I were to do it over, I'd buy a kit that has the e-brake inside the rotor, versus in the caliper like the ones I've got. This style sucks IMO.
72Cheyenne454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2018, 11:27 AM   #8
beaterku
Registered User
 
beaterku's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Lenexa, KS
Posts: 547
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by 72Cheyenne454 View Post
I did this too. Purchased a donor frame and swapped everything over. I also converted my truck from a 3/4 ton long bed to 1/2 ton short bed at the same time.

Miles
When you installed the track bar crossmember, did you install it the way it came off your donor frame, ie crooked?

By the way, that looks excellent!
beaterku is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2018, 01:58 PM   #9
72Cheyenne454
Registered User
 
72Cheyenne454's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 453
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by beaterku View Post
When you installed the track bar crossmember, did you install it the way it came off your donor frame, ie crooked?

By the way, that looks excellent!
Hey thanks! Yes, I did install it crooked just like the factory. I pulled all the measurements from the donor frame and then transferred to mine.

Miles
72Cheyenne454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2018, 02:10 AM   #10
Hidesertchevy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: yucca valley
Posts: 239
Re: Rear Leaf to Coil Conversion

What don't you like about the ebrake setup?
Hidesertchevy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com