1966 chev short bed

[dmgibbs]

I have a 1966 Chev short bed and want to put disk brakes and a new rear end on it.
I have found a 1972 GMC long bed that I think i can use for parts.
What I need to know is will the rear end bolt up to my 66 without cuting and welding and will all of the other parts work..Front cross member,Power brakes,Automatic trans crossmember, drive shaft?

Any comment will be helpful.

[CVA59]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dmgibbs

I have a 1966 Chev short bed and want to put disk brakes and a new rear end on it.
I have found a 1972 GMC long bed that I think i can use for parts.
What I need to know is will the rear end bolt up to my 66 without cuting and welding and will all of the other parts work..Front cross member,Power brakes,Automatic trans crossmember, drive shaft?

Any comment will be helpful.

Look around in the Suspension section.
There is alot of info there.
The front stuff is a basic swapping of parts, plus adding the disc brake master cylinder and proportioning valve from the '72.
The rear will be a direct swap also as long as both trucks are either coil or leaf sprung.

[BarnFind]

None of the later suspensions are a direct bolt up. They are not a difficult swap but still need a little massaging. The front will need at least a few new holes and a brake line modification and the back will need a little welding to make it work with truck arms. Sean

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by BarnFind

None of the later suspensions are a direct bolt up. They are not a difficult swap but still need a little massaging. The front will need at least a few new holes and a brake line modification and the back will need a little welding to make it work with truck arms. Sean

Is this true, if both trucks have coil springs?
I'm trying to learn something here.

The Suspension section covers this topic in great detail.
(My answer was a quick overview).

The front can be done without changing the crossmember itself.
(a-arms out, parts swap)
Brake lines go with the M/C swap.
If the OP has a donor truck,... I would think he would have everything to to the swap.

[BarnFind]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Is this true, if both trucks have coil springs?
I'm trying to learn something here.

You are exactly right, maybe I jumped the gun a little. The first post stated a "72 GMC donor" and I assumed leaf spring truck. My bad. Sean

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by BarnFind

You are exactly right, maybe I jumped the gun a little. The first post stated a "72 GMC donor" and I assumed leaf spring truck. My bad. Sean[/SIZE]

Good observation, but you have to remember not "all" GMC's came with leaf springs, just as not "all" Chevies came with coil.

[N2TRUX]

Oh yeah, almost forgot! Welcome to the forum.

[LT1 Burb]

I sold a 72 GMC SWB last year and it had coil rear suspension.

[blacklistcustoms]

I believe it was 64 when GMC went to leaf springs

[chevy_mike]

Just to clear this up. Chevy's had coil spring rear suspension Standard and leaf springs Optional. GMC had leaf springs Standard and coil springs Optional. The year ranges from '63 (maybe from '60, I am not sure on the torsion bar frames) to '72. In '73 they all went to leafs in the rear and prior to '60 they were leafs front and rear.

Hope that helps.

[markeb01]

My 1960 GMC 1/2 ton short bed came stock with the coil spring/trailing arm rear suspension.

[blacklistcustoms]

I was aware of the earlier and later models not sure on 60-72. Most 61-66 chevys we've had were all coil and the one 65 GMC was leaf all were 1/2 tons 2wd. figures GM would offer the same options mirrored for the trucks. Thanks for the clarification.