Converting Pete Air Leaf to Air Trac

I've done it 2 times now last one was just this summer. All the holes are the same except the spring hangers. The very front hole of the air leaf hanger is the proper location of the front hole for the air trac all of the rest on the hanger will need to be drilled. Unless you have a old enough truck (lower 90s into the 80s) then the hanger is the same. Hope this made sense.

 

What are the main differences between Air Trac and Air Leaf? Air Leaf just looks like an updated version of air Trac upon first glance.

 

The air-trac has trac bars on each corner of the axle, under the leaf spring...to preserve alignment and handle the torque instead of just a leaf spring + air bag. While it's arguably a tougher set-up, it's definitely the rougher riding suspension and more parts to maintain, but something that I would not let make or break a deal on a truck....JMO anyway.

 

The biggest difference for us in our vocational (on/off road) application, is that the air leaf has the spring mounted to the hanger fairly solidly with a spring eye bracket, bushings, bolts & ubolt. Our problem was the ubolts were breaking, the bolts were breaking & sometimes causing the spring eye bracket to break. Besides the spring acting as a track arm and torsion as well causing the springs to break more often. On the air trac the spring rides on a replaceable slipper in the hanger with tracking rod to hold the axle straight allowing the axle and spring a little more wiggle room. For us its less parts to break and it doesn't break near as often. LOL

 

I have a 23 Pete with Chalmers suspension. Beating the crap out of me. Which is cheaper and easier to convert to. Trac Air or Air leaf?

 

I have two air leaf setups available in Michigan. One off '73 359 and other is mid 80s 359 chassis. Haven't really looked to see any difference in the two.