1954 Chevy Sedan Rear Leaf Spring Suspension Swap

[@markclark8367]

Good to see someone else do a project before you tackle it. Good to see you letting little guy getting his hands dirty👍 thanks and y’all be safe.

[@smithjones3548]

You did a good job all around--straightened out a suspension issue AND gave some training/quality time to your little guys--subscribing to your channel for that!

[@DougABirnbaum]

Your installation went so much smoother then mine on my 54. Great video especially loved when the little guys help out! Cheers

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Ha, I know that feeling all too well. At least it's in, though.

[@tedcorey3054]

Nice stance .

[@buddygallagher1193]

That was pretty cool man I learned something thank you hope to see more videos

[@davidwiley3440]

Swapped a 55 rearend with 4:11 gears into my 54... only prob I had...failed to put jackstands under frame... of course the car fell off and I ended up with a broken back... Good Lord was looking after me... I healed and went on to serve 4 years in Navy...had two kids and drove that 54 till I traded it for an Olds Starfire...

[@J.G54]

My favorite car.

[@OpieDogie]

That is definately NOT the original rear end btw, the original rearend had a closed driveline. Great job, I really love these old Chevies had many as a kid

[@1575murray]

I agree that this is not an original 1954 rear end but most likely one from a newer Chevrolet car. I don't think it has the original 235 cubic inch 6 cylinder engine either. Many of these survivor cars have had newer engines installed and other modifications done to them with varying degrees of success.

[@adrianbolanosvivas891]

Hola . Te escribo desde Colombia. Podrías decirme dónde puedo comprar este kit para mi 54?

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Hello. I would try Speedway Motors.

[@adrianbolanosvivas891]

​@@RaybuckAutoBodyPartsno he podido encontrar el kit , me podrias ayudar con un link para realizar la compra ?

[@edwardvaldez9163]

Where can I get the same leaf springs kit

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Most speed shops should have these. I believe Speedway Motors, Summit and Jegs all carry this TCI kit.

[@billmichell5366]

I just picked up a 54 and I was thinking of putting in a 4 link system but I like this kit. Did you install the upper shock mount or did you just use the original mounts? I was curious if you did install the upper shock mount how that was and if it would require removing the gas tank?

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

I didn't install the new shock mount as my exhaust was in the way. I do plan on installing it, though, as it's a much better setup than the original floor mounts, and it will help stiffen up the frame a bit. There is no clearance issue with the gas tank and the new shock mount.

[@raymonddavies3998]

I just bought in 1951 Chevy car coupe I want to take that in-line six rear out I did the same thing to my 1951 Chevy truck I ended up putting a Chevy S 10 rear end. What kind of rare end do you have on your car

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Unfortunately I don't know what the rear end is in this 54 as it was in the car when I bought it. Whatever it is, it's a bit too narrow, though. If you already have an S10 rear end in your 51 truck, I'd say measure it and see if it will work in the 51 coupe. If it looks like it will work, please post measurements here so others know.

[@thegardenstatepicker]

What set up do you have on the rear axle/differential for that 350? I’m looking to add a 350ci to TH350 and don’t know the drive shaft or what to do about the rear to support the 350HP.

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

It's a high 2 gear ratio in the rear end. Someone made a transmission mount for this 350 when they installed it.

[@licha5050]

awesome vid do you have a link for the kit ?

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

I don't, but most performance shops carry it.

[@VictorFlores-po6jo]

Awesome video, can you please add the parts list and website. Looking forward to doing this to my 49 styleline deluxe.

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

It was a rear leaf spring kit from Chassis Engineering. You can get these from a number of places (Summit Racing, Jegs, Speedway Motors, etc).

[@timsager6153]

The cross bar for the shocks will also stiffen thing up the frame

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Absolutely. I'm planning on adding it in. Just need to rework the exhaust a bit first.

[@Whisperkill001]

Keep up the content, nice job...

[@tonyk7012]

Where did you put the brace for the shock mounts? Did I miss that? You did a nice job given what you had with the rust. I have a 51 and I’m going to do the same thing but thank God mine is rust free. LOL

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Yeah, you're lucky if you have a rust-free car to start with. I had a clearance problem with the exhaust and ended up not installing the new shock mount brace. I'm going to install that at a later time. Typically it would just bolt to the top side of the frame rail. I think it aligns with existing holes in the frame.

[@praktekal]

Does the manufacturer of the leaf spring kit suggest to use loc-tite on the mounting plate bolts? Nice install. How has the ride been?

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

They did not recommend using loc-tite. I didn't use it and haven't had any issues with anything coming loose. The ride is completely different now. It's like a new car. Now I notice some sag in the front coil springs, though, so I may do those next ;)

[@Kuztomshop]

Will the same springs fit a '52 Chevy? Can I get them in standard height or even raised for a Gasser style ride? I want a set. Where do I get them?

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Not sure if these will fit a 52, but you can find these on most performance sites (Summit, Jegs, Speedway, etc). These said they would drop the car a few inches, but I ended up putting the lowering blocks back in as it sat too high. I don't have a point of comparison for the stock height, though, as mine was already modified. I don't think they have ones that will raise it higher.

[@authentichomestead]

Nice video. I was hoping to see how you replace the rear shocks on this car. Do have a video that shows this? The manual we have for our 1954 Chevy Bel-Air doesn't really have good information.

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

Thanks. Sorry, I didn't get around to installing the new shock mount. For now I still have the shocks mounted in their original location. Are you installing a new shock mount, or are you trying to just replace the original shocks?

[@authentichomestead]

@@RaybuckAutoBodyParts They look to be the original shocks, going to replace them both because one of them went bad.

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

@@authentichomestead Ok. Should be an easy swap, then. The shocks simply unbolt from the mounts on the rear end, and then unbolt through the holes in the floor.

[@VictorFlores-po6jo]

What's the name of the song

[@sgtrock68]

The first thing I did was go out and look at the spring mounts on my 54. That's not something I've taken apart. That would suck. I'm all good I think.

[@cesargiron7752]

Were you able to get a power steering system installed on that 54? I also have one. My problem is I wanted to keep it all original. But I'm stuck. What would you suggest without changing the front to an IFS?

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

I left it original with manual steering. You can leave the front suspension original and still change the steering, though. There are kits specifically to do this.

[@rohitdalvi9361]

this shackles is much more different then other leaf suspension has....

[@cocopublicnews6766]

Bending the frame

[@jeffreyhenshaw1520]

Not original at all!! I have a ‘53 and a ‘54. The rear end is a closed end design like most earlier vehicles. Think ‘55 had the first Chevy open rear axle. Maybe the springs are original but I could not say. Good video any way for many installs. Cheers

[@marioaguirre1763]

Mickey mouse big time.

[@RaybuckAutoBodyParts]

And how would you have done it?