Leaf sprung to coil sprung...how difficult?

[screamin_c10]

So I found a really good deal on a loaded and titled 72 C10 frame complete with brakes, suspension, rims, 12 bolt rear end, power steering from box to pump, new shocks, clean and straight ready to roll, unfortunately it is leaf sprung and Bessie is coil. How hard would it be to modify Bessie's 3/4 ton coil spring frame to accept the C10 suspension components mentioned above?

[Puropedo]

I dont think it is really difficult, boardmember Gringoloco have done it, but on a 1/2 ton frame, it is basicly the same deal, you will have to swap the center crossmember and do a little welding or drilling for the panhard bar, now for the coils you will have to build some sort of base (since leaf spring frames didnt came with them, or if I were you, I would install heavy duty air bags for a softer ride and heavier load capacity, just my 2 centavos..

[2tons of fun]

why not just swap the entire frame?

[highperf4x4]

So are you wanting to use the leaf springs or the coils?

[screamin_c10]

I wanted to use the coil suspension on the 12 bolt. I guess I would have to weld perches on the 12 bolt rear for the trailing arms and fab up a panhard bar mount on the pumpkin.... Probably more work than its worth...

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by Puropedo

I dont think it is really difficult, boardmember Gringoloco have done it, but on a 1/2 ton frame, it is basicly the same deal, you will have to swap the center crossmember and do a little welding or drilling for the panhard bar, now for the coils you will have to build some sort of base (since leaf spring frames didnt came with them, or if I were you, I would install heavy duty air bags for a softer ride and heavier load capacity, just my 2 centavos..

Then I would take this suggestion with the air bags.........

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

I wanted to use the coil suspension on the 12 bolt. I guess I would have to weld perches on the 12 bolt rear for the trailing arms and fab up a panhard bar mount on the pumpkin.... Probably more work than its worth...

Are you going to eventually lower it? I did a swap from leafs to coils and yes I had to get perches for the axle but as far as the panhard bar mount on the axle, I just went with a Super Trac Bar that goes from the d/s frame to the p/s trailing arm u-bolt. I purchased both the Super Trac Bar and Axle Perches from ECE. There were other brackets I had to get from donor trucks but IMO, the swap was worth it for me. I did think of just swapping frames from leafs to coils but here in South Florida the availability of excess frames or even "Our Trucks" and their parts are very hard to come by. My 69' Stepside currently has a 3/6 drop but it will eventually be bagged.

[71tahoe]

on the ECE perches and super track bar. Get new u-bolts too.

[67sss]

why would a 72 c 10 have a 3/4 ton reared? the front is already a 1/2t suspension.

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by 67sss

why would a 72 c 10 have a 3/4 ton reared? the front is already a 1/2t suspension.

You read the question wrong. I want to put a '72 1/2 ton 12 bolt rear end and front disks under my '67 C20. The 1/2 ton has leaf springs, the C20 has coils. I want to keep the coils....

[screamin_c10]

@ Myoldchevytruck


What other brackets are needed for the conversion? Were the ECE perches easy enough to install. I can get this frame as shown for ~ $250 so I can justify throwing a little money at it. How much did the conversion cost, ballpark?

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by 71tahoe

on the ECE perches and super track bar. Get new u-bolts too.

They come with the Super Trac Bar kit.

[myoldchevytruck]

[QUOTE=screamin_c10;3560051]@ Myoldchevytruck


What other brackets are needed for the conversion? Were the ECE perches easy enough to install. I can get this frame as shown for ~ $250 so I can justify throwing a little money at it. How much did the conversion cost, ballpark?[/QUOTE

Required brackets would include the 2 brackets for the center cross member. These attach the trailing arms to the cross member. I also replaced my trailing arms bushings while they were out and the hardware I used was grade 8 nuts, bolts and washers. There were 8 of those. The other bracket is the bracket located on the drivers side of the frame right behind the axle. This bracket is for the Super Trac Bar to bolt to on the frame side. The other side goes to the Passenger Side Trailing Arm. It bolts in with the Supplied New U-Bolts. For the frame bracket, I again used grade 8 nuts, bolts and washers. For this bracket, I had to drill holes. These are Brackets I bought off of members on the board from old frames and such. If I remember right they were like $20 for the frame bracket and $20 for the cross member brackets plus the shipping. As far as the axle perches, they were not hard to line up and weld at all. Check with ECE for current prices on the perches and the Super Trac Bar. Also check out their site. They used to have a rolling chassis with half leaf and half coil. You'll see the brackets I'm talking about. If you want to ask more questions, pm your number to me. I think it was well worth the change over. Good Luck

[screamin_c10]

So other than the trailing arm crossmember and a couple of brackets the frames are the same between coil and leaf sprung.....sweet, looks like I'll have an extra frame laying around for another project....

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

So other than the trailing arm crossmember and a couple of brackets the frames are the same between coil and leaf sprung.....sweet, looks like I'll have an extra frame laying around for another project....

your leaf spring frame should have the cross member already. It's the cross member brackets you'll have to get.