Hi Nick!
I regards to that rear end problem. I'm assuming that you want to use the
Camaro rear end AND springs "as is"..am I right?
If so, I'd ask myself, which car/truck was meant to handle and ride too.
My money would be on that Camaro set-up.
Usually, the newer the set up,the better the design. I've redone a number
of cars over the years that have had angled rear springs(one 1928 Essex
comes to mind a good 30 degree angle "in" at the front!) I replaced them
with a set of newer semi eliptics mounted straight and it ran
beautifully...(ok,the small block Chev may have helped a bit!....lol!)
Many old 30's Fords upgrade to "PARALLEL REAR" springs "today" because
they have kits for that now.(Originally they used one transverse mounted
spring!)
I've personally mounted a '57 Chev rear end and it's springs into the rear
of a 1948 Ford...almost a bolt in! And it rode like a Cadillac!
Unless someone out there can specify one good reason why NOT to do it, I'd
upgrade to the Camaro parts "if you prefer"...I'm positive you will love the
improvement. Those old narrow stockers aren't as desirable(ride-wise) as the
Camaro springs.
So what you ask? Well, I used to have a rod building business (retired
now:did them since about 1967),and that's what I would tell my customer if
you were one!...(so, for whatever it's worth)
In short...GO FOR IT!..but that's only "my" opinion!
Ron Keller
>From: Nick_Griswell@SIND.COM
>Reply-To: Nick_Griswell@SIND.COM
>To: "Oletrucks" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
>Subject: [oletrucks] 54 AD Rear leaf info.
>Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 14:18:44 -0500
>
>I know this has been discussed in the past, but I was looking for more
>information. The rear leaf spring setup on the 54-3100 has a "toed-in"
>setup.
>OK that part is a given, but what is the reason behind this (engineering
>reason,
>functionality, etc.)? I am almost ready to change out the rear setup in my
>54-3100 5-window, but was wondering if this setup is truly necessary. I am
>going back in with a 10-bolt rear diff. out of 1978 Z28 Camaro, and the
>rear
>perches line up perfectly, but of course the front perches are too wide due
>to
>the "toed-in" original. Couldn't I just fabricate new perches for the
>front and
>attach them to the frame? I don't see any reason why not! But if there is
>a
>particular reason for the "toe-in" configuration, any information you could
>share would be greatly appreciated. I have got to get that rear diff.
>changed
>out. I keep banging by shins on the donor in the garage! Any experiences
>or
>recommendations would be great!
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Nick Griswell
>Rock Spring, GA
>54-3100 5-window "FATBOY"
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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