The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop stock rear leaf springs used with modern rear end

Has anyone kept the stock rear leaf springs or replaced the original stock rear leaf springs with NOS on a 1938 chevy 1/2 ton and used them with a modern open rear end?
Has anyone kept the stock front suspension/leaf springs and steering rack and put in an aftermarket or another year chevy steering column with a power steering box?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

my truck came with a '68 GM 10-bolt and factory springs. The difference is the spring width. The prior owner made his own spring perches for the narrower springs.

You can buy narrow spring perches for late model rear ends from many dealers like Jim Carter. I have a 78-81 Camaro rear end in my '39 GMC 1/2 Ton with stock springs.

I have the stock springs on my '39 1/2 ton and the short shake-down runs I've made make me think it will ride just fine.

I just took the spring perches off of the newer axle I used and flipped them/moved them to the proper location, welded and bolted them up. Just be sure to get the correct pinion angle.

Craig

As for steering, ABS in Orange http://www.abspowerbrake.com/index.html makes a power steering conversion kit. Modern steering columns are not unusual. It just takes a little cutting and fitting depending upon what you use, to mate it to the steering box. You would replace stock king pins and rebuild your stock steering components and have a very good power steering setup.

I have a 1980 Camaro 10 bolt with a TCI spring kit. If I ever finish and get it running I'll let you (the whole of Stovebolt, loudly) know how it works.

I have a 12 bolt to install and need to replace my springs. I can use stock springs and use the adapter kits referred to in this thread. Is there an aftermarket upgrade that does not lower the truck? All the packages I have seen seem to say they lower the truck 4-6 inches.

Most of the truck parts venders sell OEM replacement springs along side the aftermarket lowering type. Check with your local spring shop, they may be higher then on the web, but you could save a bunch on shipping.

Do a search on this site for springs, you find a ton of posts on them.

Joe

I have stock rear springs on my '48 1/2 ton with a 3.73 limited slip rear from a Firebird. I just had to change the mounts a bit.

I have an Ididit tilt column connected to the stock steering (no power steering) with Patrick's monoleafs having replaced the stock front springs (only because the shackles were broken and replacement springs cost just as much as Patrick's monoleafs.

The ride is "trucky" (not smooth like a modern vehicle, but not bad.)

I know your '38 is probably different in some respects, but I think the point is that it can be done.

I have a 46 chev pickup and used a rear diff out of a 56 chev car with the stock leafsprings,have not drove the truck yet but the rear setup went in fairly easy.heres a link to some pics


http://s514.photobucket.com/albums/t350/chorny46/?action=view&current=HPIM0084.jpg

GREAT GARAGE! An old truck, a V8 engine and a can of Bud!