Suspension help

[mechanic350]

Ok so I have a 1972 c10 swb that has leaf spring suspension. Now the po in all his brilliance decided when he lowered it to use mono leafs in the rear and I have still been unable to figure out where/what they came from. I am pretty sure that I can use a 5" drop leaf spring to keep it the same and be a bit safer for the time being. I want to also add a panhard bar. I found a great deal on some factory trailing arms but discovered that not only do I not have the right crossmember to mount them to but my exhaust is in the way too. So I'm forced to fall back on swapping the leaf springs. Now the problem I have is that I have seen some 2bar track bar kits for trucks with leafs but not sure if they keep the leafs or swap them out. And because I have an expanded diff cover I m not sure what panhard/track bar I can use. I just want to keep the read end more centered and have her ride a bit better till I can get a full 4 link built. Any suggestions or ideas would be great.

[James the III]

Are you sure the "mono" leaf isn't just the original leaf, with the other leaves removed.

[mechanic350]

That's entirely possible. Last time I looked at them i don't remember there being any aligning holes for the other leafs in a leaf pack but I will look again.

[LongBox]

If my memory serves me correctly, the first generation Chevy Vans, the ones with the engine between the front seats, came with monoleafs, although many had multi leafs as heavy duty options. Perhaps that's where the spring came from.

My 67 Chev G20 had a 12 bolt posi with leafs and a 4.11. The rear axle was worth more than the van.

[mechanic350]

Also another possible source for the monoleaf. Either way I want to swap it out and it looks like I'll have to fab up a panhard bar bracket.