Leafs to Trailing Arms?

[SRH916]

What would be involved in this "conversion"? I am looking in to buying a 1970 C20 LWB with leafsprings, but I would prefer trailing arms. What is needed for this? Also is there a difference between the trailing arm lengths of a SWB vs. a LWB truck? Is the crossmember just placed differently?

Thanks in advance,
Jared

[IvelDesigns]

i can't speak to the swap, but there is no difference between lwb and swb t arms or the x member.

i would assume that all you'd need to do for the swap is mount the x member and t-arms, then add the perch to the axle for the t-arms to mount. oh, and you'll need a panhard bar too. assuming you rear end doesn't have the bolt for it, you could go with an after market adjustable on that mounts to the passenger side t-arm mount.

shock mounts will also need to be changed over as they mount to a plate on the bottom of the t arm

[Ackattack]

It shouldn't be too hard, especially if you do a lowering kit that includes some of the stuff.

ECE sells some kits that include a longer panhard bar and mount (that doesn't mount to the axle), shock brackets, u-bolts, etc.

The toughest part I could see is getting the trailing arm perches welded to the axle, and that's not too hard anyways.

[Frizzle Fry]

LWB leaf trucks with two piece drive shafts actually have the trailing arm crossmembers in place for the carrier bearing (not sure about SWB/Leafs). So you would need the arm, hangers, and axle pads as a start. Then panbhard bar, shock mounts, shock xmember, and figure out mounting the springs to the frame. Check out what Gringoloco did on his blazer. He also did the conversion on a truck if you can find the thread.

[Spray-Bomb]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=294227

[SRH916]

So one last question since this seems simple enough. I don't think that if I buy this truck I will be cutting the frame any time soon, so would the trailiing arm xmember on the LWB 3/4 ton be in the right place to just add the arms and have the differential in the right position? (kinda understand me?)

Thanks for the help,
Jared

[Spray-Bomb]

I dont think that the position of the cross member changes any from a leaf to a coil spring truck... So I believe that it would be in the correct place to just add the trailing arms

[SRH916]

How hard would it be to just lose the springs and shocks and just go with coilovers on the trailing arms? I haven't been able to find a write up on this, and I know there are a few people with them on their trucks (mostly for drag racing) I would like to know a bit more about these setups though.

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by SRH916

How hard would it be to just lose the springs and shocks and just go with coilovers on the trailing arms? I haven't been able to find a write up on this, and I know there are a few people with them on their trucks (mostly for drag racing) I would like to know a bit more about these setups though.

I'm sure it could be done with some basic fabrication skills. One of the shock/coilover companies could point you in the right direction for spring/shock selection. The right coilovers will allow you to set the desired ride height be it normal, low, or raised.

I built trailing arms for my S-10 and used coilovers. My project would be of little help to you, different style arms, different size trucks. I love what I ended up with, good ride and I can adjust the height if need be.