Converting from leaf spring rear to coil????

[HotRod929]

I have a 1970 C-20 Custom Camper and was wondering how to go about converting the rear to coil springs? Later on I want to go to air bags but I dont think you can with a leaf rear end unless I am miss informed. Please let me know. THanks

[Fast68Chevy]

find coil spring donor truck, can be C-10l but have to use C20 panhard bar, unless youre gonna convert to 1/2 ton axle, you need the trailing arm pivot brackets that are riveted to the crossmemeber under the rear cab wall that the arms pivot on on their front ends, and need the frame braces thata re riveted inside the frame rails directly above the axle, and the coil retainers(four of them)\

this cannot be done to 1 tons, longhorns, or 4x4 blazers and some 4x4 trucks if dont have bowed out rear frame rails(38.5")

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Randy- Lincoln, IL
randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230
-71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07, assemble it, yeah right, that'll happen in this world,(not)
-84 Z28 Camaro 5.0L 700R4, 3.73, beater, paid way too much for it like an idiot,,
-84 Firebird SE 2.8L T-5, rod knocking, dammit,,
-82 Firebird 350 4bolt (TBL)/TH350, not running, dammit...
buy/sell/hoard/trade most any GM vehicle parts of any kind
-parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham
*Paint is overrated
© RSS Enterprises 2000




[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited April 28, 2002).]

[HotRod929]

ttt

[70 Jimmy]

At one time I wanted to do the same thing but it's easier to do a four link. You wouldn't have to modify the frame and it's supposed to be even better.

Randy, I can't believe you said "this cannot be done to 1 tons, longhorns, or 4x4 blazers and some 4x4 trucks if dont have bowed out rear frame rails(38.5")" It can all be done if you have time, money and patience.

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"KEEP IT DOWN!"
70 Jimmy 454 2wd
56 GMC Big Window



[This message has been edited by 70 Jimmy (edited April 28, 2002).]

[69 longhorn]

70 jimmy,it could be done(swap to coil),but you would have to make the crossmember for the trail arms(the 1 tons& longhorns share the same frame.....taller rails)......69

[Fast68Chevy]

70Jimmy,,,,,you do not have to modify frames to swap to coils or to leaves, four link is overrated i think, i believe that our coils trailing arm rear set up we have in stock form under our era trucks are about the best stock design ever made- if not the best. the alxe has no side to side play and no housing wind up, its dman near perfect from factory, pointless to install on our trucks really, i could see on cars that have bad housing rotation problems, etc, but not on our trucks with trailing arms

Longhorns, 4x4s, and 1 tons all will not accept and were never designed ot accept coil s and trailing arms suspension, the rails are not bowed out for the coils to sit above the axle where they are supposed to mount to rails with the upper retainers, however all 67-72 frames can be converted to leaf because width fore and aft of axle is the same 34", take tape measure and start measuring trucks of all sizes in 67-72 and you will see this reflected, our axles dont go anywhere when you romp on the accelerator pedal, drive a coils truck around with bed removed and youll see how rigid it is

when i said you cannot convert them to coils i meant not without welding, i assumed that HotRod would rather not do major surgery to get coils under truck, i think you need ot move on to another thread, sorry

good luck HotRod

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Randy- Lincoln, IL
randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230
-71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07, assemble it, yeah right, that'll happen in this world,(not)
-84 Z28 Camaro 5.0L 700R4, 3.73, beater, paid way too much for it like an idiot,,
-84 Firebird SE 2.8L T-5, rod knocking, dammit,,
-82 Firebird 350 4bolt (TBL)/TH350, not running, dammit...
buy/sell/hoard/trade most any GM vehicle parts of any kind
-parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham
*Paint is overrated
© RSS Enterprises 2000




[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited April 28, 2002).]

[CustomChevy]

i have a late reply for this. you can swap frames to a coil frame, cut the rear section of frame and weld on coil rear frame, or set up 4-link or ladder bar rear suspension. if you plan on air bags later, might go ahead and use the triangulated 4-link from air ride.
here are a couple links.


www.airride.com


www.competitionengineering.com


good luck!