1966 chev short bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dmgibbs · 10-11-2010, 09:11 PM

I have a 1966 Chev short bed and want to put disk brakes and a new rear end on it.
I have found a 1972 GMC long bed that I think i can use for parts.
What I need to know is will the rear end bolt up to my 66 without cuting and welding and will all of the other parts work..Front cross member,Power brakes,Automatic trans crossmember, drive shaft?

Any comment will be helpful.

CVA59 · 10-11-2010, 09:29 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake

**lolife99** · 10-11-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmgibbs

I have a 1966 Chev short bed and want to put disk brakes and a new rear end on it.
I have found a 1972 GMC long bed that I think i can use for parts.
What I need to know is will the rear end bolt up to my 66 without cuting and welding and will all of the other parts work..Front cross member,Power brakes,Automatic trans crossmember, drive shaft?

Any comment will be helpful.

Look around in the Suspension section.
There is alot of info there.
The front stuff is a basic swapping of parts, plus adding the disc brake master cylinder and proportioning valve from the '72.
The rear will be a direct swap also as long as both trucks are either coil or leaf sprung.

BarnFind · 10-12-2010, 01:21 AM

None of the later suspensions are a direct bolt up. They are not a difficult swap but still need a little massaging. The front will need at least a few new holes and a brake line modification and the back will need a little welding to make it work with truck arms. Sean

**lolife99** · 10-12-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarnFind

None of the later suspensions are a direct bolt up. They are not a difficult swap but still need a little massaging. The front will need at least a few new holes and a brake line modification and the back will need a little welding to make it work with truck arms. Sean

Is this true, if both trucks have coil springs?
I'm trying to learn something here.

The Suspension section covers this topic in great detail.
(My answer was a quick overview).

The front can be done without changing the crossmember itself.
(a-arms out, parts swap)
Brake lines go with the M/C swap.
If the OP has a donor truck,... I would think he would have everything to to the swap.

BarnFind · 10-12-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

Is this true, if both trucks have coil springs?
I'm trying to learn something here.

You are exactly right, maybe I jumped the gun a little. The first post stated a "72 GMC donor" and I assumed leaf spring truck. My bad. Sean

**N2TRUX** · 10-12-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarnFind

You are exactly right, maybe I jumped the gun a little. The first post stated a "72 GMC donor" and I assumed leaf spring truck. My bad. Sean[/SIZE]

Good observation, but you have to remember not "all" GMC's came with leaf springs, just as not "all" Chevies came with coil.

BarnFind · 10-12-2010, 11:01 AM

Here I thought, half ton GMC,......... leaf spring truck. The things you learn on this site! Sean

**Captainfab** · 10-13-2010, 12:59 AM

It also depends if the GMC donor is a C10 or C20 whether the parts are going to work for the OP. If it is a C10 and has rear coils, it should be a straight forward swap. You will have to shorten the driveshaft though. That usually doesn't cost that much to have done.

**N2TRUX** · 10-13-2010, 10:24 AM

Oh yeah, almost forgot! Welcome to the forum.

BarnFind · 10-14-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

It also depends if the GMC donor is a C10 or C20 whether the parts are going to work for the OP. If it is a C10 and has rear coils, it should be a straight forward swap.

What year did GMC 1/2 ton go to coil springs? Sean

LT1 Burb · 10-14-2010, 10:08 AM

I sold a 72 GMC SWB last year and it had coil rear suspension.

blacklistcustoms · 10-14-2010, 11:41 AM

I believe it was 64 when GMC went to leaf springs

chevy_mike · 10-14-2010, 11:44 AM

Just to clear this up. Chevy's had coil spring rear suspension Standard and leaf springs Optional. GMC had leaf springs Standard and coil springs Optional. The year ranges from '63 (maybe from '60, I am not sure on the torsion bar frames) to '72. In '73 they all went to leafs in the rear and prior to '60 they were leafs front and rear.

Hope that helps.

markeb01 · 10-14-2010, 11:49 AM

My 1960 GMC 1/2 ton short bed came stock with the coil spring/trailing arm rear suspension.

blacklistcustoms · 10-14-2010, 11:44 PM

I was aware of the earlier and later models not sure on 60-72. Most 61-66 chevys we've had were all coil and the one 65 GMC was leaf all were 1/2 tons 2wd. figures GM would offer the same options mirrored for the trucks. Thanks for the clarification.

10-11-2010, 09:11 PM	#1
dmgibbs Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mount Olive Alabama Posts: 16	1966 chev short bed I have a 1966 Chev short bed and want to put disk brakes and a new rear end on it. I have found a 1972 GMC long bed that I think i can use for parts. What I need to know is will the rear end bolt up to my 66 without cuting and welding and will all of the other parts work..Front cross member,Power brakes,Automatic trans crossmember, drive shaft? Any comment will be helpful.

10-11-2010, 09:29 PM	#2
CVA59 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Longview, Texas Posts: 775	Re: 1966 chev short bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake __________________ Zack www.23t.weebly.com _________________________________

10-12-2010, 01:21 AM	#4
BarnFind Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Santa Clarita, Ca. Posts: 80	Re: 1966 chev short bed None of the later suspensions are a direct bolt up. They are not a difficult swap but still need a little massaging. The front will need at least a few new holes and a brake line modification and the back will need a little welding to make it work with truck arms. Sean

10-12-2010, 11:01 AM	#8
BarnFind Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Santa Clarita, Ca. Posts: 80	Re: 1966 chev short bed Here I thought, half ton GMC,......... leaf spring truck. The things you learn on this site! Sean

10-13-2010, 12:59 AM	#9
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: 1966 chev short bed It also depends if the GMC donor is a C10 or C20 whether the parts are going to work for the OP. If it is a C10 and has rear coils, it should be a straight forward swap. You will have to shorten the driveshaft though. That usually doesn't cost that much to have done. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

10-13-2010, 10:24 AM	#10
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: 1966 chev short bed Oh yeah, almost forgot! Welcome to the forum. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-14-2010, 10:08 AM	#12
LT1 Burb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Winchester Oregon, formerly Vancouver BC Posts: 2,949	Re: 1966 chev short bed I sold a 72 GMC SWB last year and it had coil rear suspension.

10-14-2010, 11:41 AM	#13
blacklistcustoms Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yuba City, Ca Posts: 31	Re: 1966 chev short bed I believe it was 64 when GMC went to leaf springs __________________ 66 c-10 swb stepside -my daily driver 74 1Ton CrewCab Shortbed 4X4 (2) 91 2500 suburban 4X4 91 K5 Blazer 4X4-wifes daily driver 73 K5 Blazer 4x4- project soon to be 2wd 50 3 window 3100

10-14-2010, 11:44 AM	#14
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: 1966 chev short bed Just to clear this up. Chevy's had coil spring rear suspension Standard and leaf springs Optional. GMC had leaf springs Standard and coil springs Optional. The year ranges from '63 (maybe from '60, I am not sure on the torsion bar frames) to '72. In '73 they all went to leafs in the rear and prior to '60 they were leafs front and rear. Hope that helps. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

10-14-2010, 11:49 AM	#15
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: 1966 chev short bed My 1960 GMC 1/2 ton short bed came stock with the coil spring/trailing arm rear suspension.

10-14-2010, 11:44 PM	#16
blacklistcustoms Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yuba City, Ca Posts: 31	Re: 1966 chev short bed I was aware of the earlier and later models not sure on 60-72. Most 61-66 chevys we've had were all coil and the one 65 GMC was leaf all were 1/2 tons 2wd. figures GM would offer the same options mirrored for the trucks. Thanks for the clarification. __________________ 66 c-10 swb stepside -my daily driver 74 1Ton CrewCab Shortbed 4X4 (2) 91 2500 suburban 4X4 91 K5 Blazer 4X4-wifes daily driver 73 K5 Blazer 4x4- project soon to be 2wd 50 3 window 3100



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