Rear End Swap --- 1956 Chevy TF

[jds319]

[This is my first post in what I hope becomes a long, happy relationship.]

I have a 1956 Chevy 1/2 ton stepside that has been in the family since 1984. My brother bought it when i was in high school, hot rodded it, and left it to sit on the side of the house for me until I turned 16. In the 10 years since while I was away at school, we haven't made too much progress on the truck.

The truck has a 1979 Camaro / Firebird front end (IRS), and the plan is to have a small block / auto combination. Right now, however, I'm looking to swap out the original rear end.

I'm going to buy a rear leaf spring conversion kit from Classic Performance Parts (unless y'all tell me not to: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ks/5559RLK.htm)
in preperation of adding a late model rear end that I hope to buy at a swap meet in Arlington, Texas in two weeks.

I've heard that 1970-1981 Camaro / Trans Am rear ends work well and make for an easy swap. Has anyone had success with that swap? Any other ideas? Thanks y'all.

[5Mike7]

You wnt need a swap kiy, if you have a grinder, chisel and hammer, you can know off the original spring perches, then weld to the new rear end.

All the stuff they show is nice, but you already have it under the truck

The springs on the 2nd gen FBody's, are under the rear and mount a bit differently...butu whack all that stuff off and use what you have for a little bit of time and effort, you ahve saved a lot of money.

You can also just use the rear as is, to knock it in the weeds..maybe it'll match the front end now???, you just have to doo minor fabbing...but for good frame clearance, you may have to C-Notch the frame rails.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

[jds319]

Problem with the current rear end (other than it being old), is that it's a 6 lug pattern and the camaro/firebird clip up front is a 5 lug pattern.

The old leaf springs are, from what I can tell, original as well. Do those things "go bad" over time? Do they lose some bounce in their step so to say?

[5Mike7]

Ya, old rear is 6 lug, but the perches dont care

I've had the original springs on my '57, and '59 since they were new.

I guess theyll go bad, maybe in another 50+ years?

[5Mike7]

BTW...springs are thre to determine your load capicity...90% and ride quality 10%

Shocks determine ride quality 100%...unless you go to coil overs, which aid in load capacity.

[jds319]

I didn't know that. Thanks! Keep it coming! I started hacking off the old inner steps tonight...

[jds319]

Oops.

[b.sharp]

Well on my '59, we kept the original leaf springs and swaped the og rearend for a '70 nove rear end. It works good, just kepp all your angles in mind when locating your new rear end.

Latr,

B.Sharp

[jds319]

B.Sharp: did you have to do anything to the stock mounts for the Nova rear end to mount? I'm looking at a late 70's camaro / trans am rear end, and I'm hoping it will be an easy swap...