leaf to coil spring conversion

[ggtsvnv]

Hi everyone, I've worked on a lot of GM cars over the years and have owned several Chevy/GMC trucks but usually just as drivers. I have been looking for a nice restorable 69/70 chevy for quite sometime now and found one that really has my interest. It's a two owner 70 chevy 1/2 ton, with a rebuilt turbo 400, and the big block 400cid (402) in it that runs well. It needs some body work but just dents not rust. Here is my question though I have always liked the ride of the coil spring suspension but this truck according to the owner who bought it in 1970 with under 6,000 miles on it came with a HEAVY DUTY suspension. It has 6 lug wheels up front and 8 lug in the back with leaf springs. I would like to switch it to coils springs in the rear, is this possiable? and how hard is it? Thanks

[ggtsvnv]

can anyone help me with this?

[krue]

Youmight get more of a response if you posted this in the 67-72 message board. Sounds kind of fishy having different lug patterns front to back.

[ShamrockCustoms]

you are going to have to find a donor truck with which to swap parts from. Everything from the donor truck must be swapped. the x-member for the trailing arms, the trailing arms, brackets, everything. if i remember correctly, the mounting holes for the regular suspension is already there, so lining up components should be relatively easy. the suspension is riveted on, so count on lots of time spent on removing rivets on those brackets. also, the rear end is going to have different mount on them, so if you can, swap the rear end as well, or get ready for more grinding, and welding. it can be done! it just takes lots of time, and even more patience.


good luck!!


ps: of course, you could always just scrap the old suspension altogether and put in a nice 4link or ladder bar setup with some coilovers.....would be great too.