pre-73 truck arm suspension in post-73-anyone done it?

[olblue81]

Just wondering if anyone has seen this done?

[qksilver]

it works the other way around. The reasoning behind using the later model stuff is because the replaceable parts are cheaper and the rubber instead of metal bushings. The thing is to do it with the complete setup from one vehicle. if you try to mix and match then problems will come up.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by qksilver

it works the other way around. The reasoning behind using the later model stuff is because the replaceable parts are cheaper and the rubber instead of metal bushings. The thing is to do it with the complete setup from one vehicle. if you try to mix and match then problems will come up.

Or did he mean the 'truck arm' as in a 61-72 trailing arm 3-link set-up rear suspension being swapped to the 73 & later leaf chassis?

[qksilver]

Didn't think about that, hot rods to hell has a kit to pretty much put that type of suspension in anything. Good suspension when set up right

[olblue81]

Like Scoti said, I was just wondering if anyone has done the conversion using factory parts instead of the Hotrods to Hell kit. Don't even know if they offer one for trucks.
Just like the idea of the truck arms. No spring wrap, nice coil spring ride, easy to put bags in when the time comes. Really I can't think of many disadvantages to that suspension. Other than it would take a lot of time to put one in.

[SanitysBane]

I was going to do it, but decided against it. Going to see how the truck hooks up with just the leaf springs. I got the idea from a guy at our local drag strip who had done it to an early 90s short bed that ran 12s on motor and 10s on the bottle. Couldn't really see how it got it all bolted together though, and that truck is long gone, he sold it I have no clue were it is now.

[qksilver]

I was out in the shop looking and measureing. The width of the frame on the 63-72 at the trailing arm crossmember is the same. The upper spring plate looks like it would be no big deal to mount, but the late model frame isn't flat there. The panyard bar go aftermarket. All the measurements i did came very close, so with a little fab and the right parts , looks like a winner. A little bit of mental masterbation!

[pebbleboy]

Why not just get a 4 link and run coil overs?
Like this one from www.airride.com

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by pebbleboy

Why not just get a 4 link and run coil overs?
Like this one from www.airride.com

Installation & cost might be a factor vs. the 67-72 3-link suspension. Those Shockwaves alone are + $700.

[pebbleboy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Installation & cost might be a factor vs. the 67-72 3-link suspension. Those Shockwaves alone are + $700.

I wouldn't use the shockwaves just the links. Put some coil overs in place of the shockwaves.

[bigbluthng]

my opinion is that although it's a pain in the ass, it can be done on the cheap. i converted my leaf spring blazer (72 4wd) to trailing arms. the hardest part was getting the trailing arm crossmember in and the holes drilled out. if i were to do it again i would go with a 4 link from jason at suicide doors. if you insist on doing it, the easiest way is to bolt up your axle to the trailing armsl, bolt the trailing arms to the crossmember (once you got it in the frame) then you can center the axle in the wheelwell, take measurements and make surew the axle is square in the frame then drill your holes and mount everything again. recheck your measurements. you don't want the truck dog-walking down the road.

[olblue81]

Originally Posted by pebbleboy

Why not just get a 4 link and run coil overs?
Like this one from www.airride.com

I don't know, just wondered if anyone has done the factory way. I think they look cool in their own way.

With all the things that need to be done to my truck, there's no way I'll put any budget to doing something like this. I thought I'd just put it out there.