55.2-59 Trailing arm suspension

[Sandwillys]

So I got my hands on a 1960 truck frame, I’m wondering if it is hard to convert the trailing arm suspension onto my 56 stepside. Has any one done this conversion and is it worth it. the front is clipped with a 2nd gen Camero and shockwavecair bags, and I want to bag the rear. Anybody tried this? Thanks.

[mr48chev]

It should be reasonably simple if you use the crossmembers out of the 60 and take exacting measurements before you remove it. One issue might be the final static ride height depending on where you mount the crossmember that the rear coils fit into.

[1project2many]

It's not the most common swap, but the "Nascar Truck Arm" rear suspension builds are done often enough that it's not too hard to find information and pictures.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=573738
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=364043
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=442383
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=383623
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=540977

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/rear-suspension-guide/ (truck arms are about 5/8 down the page)
http://www.kpcomponents.com/

[mikebte]

I agree, the swap should be pretty strait forward being as you have the frame to remove everything from.

[MiraclePieCo]

I like it! Since you'll be using bags, they'll adapt easily to the coil spring mounts and coil height isn't an issue. I have a Chevelle trailing arm rear suspension (same springs) in my panel and it works great. I think the truck bars would be even better.

[jweb]

I have an aftermarket trailing arm suspension in my '51 with QA1 coil overs and I'm very happy with the ride.

Here's a build where they used the stock 60's suspension and I think it would work just as well for the 55-59 trucks.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=569491&page=7

[joedoh]

I love the trailing arm setup of the 67-72 trucks, its long enough that the pinion angle change is minimal even with a lot of suspension travel. the drawbacks are the exhaust as everyone has mentioned but also remember those long bars run where you would normally put other things, like a gas tank, and air tank, and compressors.

also remember that the bars are two c channel welded together into an i-beam, so you have some twist beyond just the bushings which are also big and relatively soft and allow some twist, so you will need some type of locating device like a panhard or watts link. this will be BEHIND the axle where you might be thinking of putting all the stuff that already doesnt fit where the trailing arms are. and if you bag a panhard bar its very important to get the ride height/drop/lift ratio right because the axle will pull left and right as the panhard goes through its arc.

but they ride nice!

[jweb]

Joedoh is right there are some challenges with space. I have exhaust all the way out the back but my gas tank in the stock location on my '51.

I would have to look at my '64 Suburban to see how it's setup. It has bags on stock trailing arms but will need a custom panhard bar. Also has gas tank in the rear. Haven't touched that project in over a year, so I'm not sure where the exhaust will go.

[nikwho]

The frame widths are the same, so you've got that going for you! I just recently paid $50 for a set of truck arms, the cross member and all associated brackets! I bought all of that to swap my '68 GMC from leafs to coils, and now thinking about the same swap for my '59! Luckily, my '68 C already has the same factory crossmember, just without the brackets to mount the arms to, so, I have that to use for my '59! I'm thinking of making a jig off of a factory arm and building some tubular arms for the '59. I haven't checked the height of the crossmember yet, but did verify the crossmember could work.

[dsraven]

hey, anything is possible. heck, just look on the site at some of the crazy builds going on. if you plan to bag it then you prolly plan to have a big c notch cut in anyway, with a raised bed floor.

YOU CAN DO IT!

just gotta post pics so we can all watch.lol

[mr48chev]

The two main issues are that they do take up a lot of space that you end up having to work around and they hang down below the axle, especially if you run coils and need lowering blocks.

There are axle mounts/pads available for a reasonable cost so mounting the axle of choice isn't an issue.

[dsraven]

so then just make new bars that don't hang down and run zoomies up through the hood, problem solved. haha.

[Sandwillys]

Good info, thanks for the feedback.

[Sandwillys]

Good info, thanks for the feedback.