changing out leafs??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SkyBlue72' · 08-24-2004, 12:21 AM

I was just wondering if a 73-84 chevy leaf setup could fit my 72 2.5" wide leaf rear end??

Oh, also, I just cut my front coils and the frontend bounces like a MOFOE!
The shocks were brand new when I cut the springs and also it makes a big thud when I hit a crack in the road, is this normal??
If I were to find some softer springs, like one off an early model car would that work??

69sixpackbee · 08-25-2004, 01:11 PM

Probably why it bounces now is that when you cut the coils you bottomed the shocks (that's your "thud") and now they are trash and not preventing the rebound like they once did so in essence you have no shocks at all...just springs. Now you have to find shorter shocks. The thud, if it is on the top of the travel, might be the spring dislodging from the perch momentarily when the lower "A" arm is fully extended.
Just a few thoughts.

SkyBlue72' · 08-25-2004, 05:27 PM

thanks for filling me in on this info., but I really want to know if the leaf swap out can work.

dennis111 · 08-26-2004, 08:06 AM

I haven't done the spring swap but once considered it. The 73 and up springs are a few inches longer than the early ones which would require installing the 73 spring perch or maybe moving the 72's since your springs are the same width as the 78 truck that I measured.

Not sure but believe that only the rear perch would need moved because I believe that the axle is located the same distance from the front perch.

Hope this helps.

Tx Firefighter · 08-26-2004, 10:24 AM

Pull the rubber snubbers out of the front control arms and your problem should go away.

This is assuming you just cut one coil off the spring and not more.

SkyBlue72' · 08-30-2004, 01:20 AM

Today I found where the knocking was coming from, I noticed that the brackets that clamp the spring and axle together was smacking against the frame rails. while I was fixing the problem, I just installed some polys also.

Tx Firefighter, up front, the bumpers where taking out a while back when lowered, so that couldn't be it.

08-24-2004, 12:21 AM	#1
SkyBlue72' Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chinle, Arizona Posts: 60	changing out leafs??? I was just wondering if a 73-84 chevy leaf setup could fit my 72 2.5" wide leaf rear end?? Oh, also, I just cut my front coils and the frontend bounces like a MOFOE! The shocks were brand new when I cut the springs and also it makes a big thud when I hit a crack in the road, is this normal?? If I were to find some softer springs, like one off an early model car would that work??

08-26-2004, 08:06 AM	#4
dennis111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Amish Wonderland of Central PA. Posts: 31	I haven't done the spring swap but once considered it. The 73 and up springs are a few inches longer than the early ones which would require installing the 73 spring perch or maybe moving the 72's since your springs are the same width as the 78 truck that I measured. Not sure but believe that only the rear perch would need moved because I believe that the axle is located the same distance from the front perch. Hope this helps. __________________ Dennis 68 GMC SWB Custom 1/2 ton, 2WD, 350 V8, PS, PB, 3-Speed, 3:08 12 bolt rear, tilt, tach, vac, cruise and more. . . .

08-26-2004, 10:24 AM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Pull the rubber snubbers out of the front control arms and your problem should go away. This is assuming you just cut one coil off the spring and not more. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-25-2004, 01:11 PM	#2
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Probably why it bounces now is that when you cut the coils you bottomed the shocks (that's your "thud") and now they are trash and not preventing the rebound like they once did so in essence you have no shocks at all...just springs. Now you have to find shorter shocks. The thud, if it is on the top of the travel, might be the spring dislodging from the perch momentarily when the lower "A" arm is fully extended. Just a few thoughts.

08-25-2004, 05:27 PM	#3
SkyBlue72' Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chinle, Arizona Posts: 60	thanks for filling me in on this info., but I really want to know if the leaf swap out can work.

08-30-2004, 01:20 AM	#6
SkyBlue72' Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chinle, Arizona Posts: 60	Today I found where the knocking was coming from, I noticed that the brackets that clamp the spring and axle together was smacking against the frame rails. while I was fixing the problem, I just installed some polys also. Tx Firefighter, up front, the bumpers where taking out a while back when lowered, so that couldn't be it.



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