74 crossmember in a 69 c-10

[jamon8]

I am about to pull a disc brake crossmember out of a 74 c-10 that had hydroboost, but I dont think that will matter

what kind of problems will i run into swapping that crossmember, control arms and brakes into my 69 c-10

I am not so concerned with the brake set-up because I have a booster and master cylinder to match.

what I am really concerned with is the bolt up of the crossmember such as-

1. what am I to do with the motor mounts- I have brand new set on the old set-up

2. will all the nessesary bolt holes line up or will I have to do some drillin

3.will the new tie rod ends work in the 74 spindals.

thanks in advance for the info. I try to anticipate and solve oncomming problems before I start pulling my baby apart more than she already is.

[jamon8]

nobody has done this

[qksilver]

I have done this swap in a few different trucks from a 63 to 1 72. There are a few differences in where the mounting holes are depending on the year of the crossmember73-87 and the year of the truck 63-72. Most of them are in the same position, so it is a matter of using as many as align up and then drilling the ones that don't. Usually it is 2 of the bolt holes on the vertical part of the frame on either side. The three that bolt horizonally on either side align up.
As far as tie rod ends probably not, I have always used the complete front suspension as a whole just so everything would be of one year.
you will probably have to run the brake lines a little differently because of how they changed where the hard line and the brake hose mount( depends on the year of the truck)
Motor mounts were the one problem I encountered when I used a 80 and up front suspension. I don't think you will have a problem with the 75 engine stands, you will probably have to drill one new hole on either side.
The trick is to mount it using as many hole that line up them drill the rest.
A worthwhile swap because the ride is better plus the all parts are cheaper

[jamon8]

thank you!

I just like to have some sort of game plan before attempting anything

[C10-Driver]

I performed the swap you are talking about in my 70 SWB. I'm not sure of the exact year of the new x-member (79 or 80 I think). It was almost painless. In my case I didn't have to modify anything to do with the suspension or engine mounts. The only mods that were required were on the brakes... The mounting holes on the booster had to be relocated to fit the 70 firewall and new brake lines were bent up.

I have included some before and after pics of the swap for your viewing pleasure.

[jimmydean]

Damn, if I would have known it was that easy, I would have done that instead.

[RSRXION]

Save the U-bolts on your trucks crossmember as you'll be needing them. The 73 and later U-bolts won't work. In addition, I had to shim the power steering box when I put a 79 box on my 67. If your truck has power steering already it won't matter. It is indeed very easy, Dean

[jamon8]

I just had all poly bushings and ball joints put in

I think with all new brakes and bushings and ball joints I will still be way cheaper than those kits they sell for like 600

I ended up using a crossmember from a 84 c-10 with a diesel so the brakes are hardcore

[qksilver]

Was it a 5.7 deisel or 6.2? I need some 2 wheel engine stands to swap my 6.2 into my 68 burb. Pm me if they are 6.2
Thanks,
Steve

[C10-Driver]

When I did my swap, I replaced everything. I bought a complete front end from a wrecker. They cut the frame just behind the cross member and loaded it in my truck. Brought it home, blew it apart, blasted and powder-coated everything, installed 2" drop spindles and bolted it in. As someone mentioned earlier, replacement parts are cheap for the 73-87 trucks and the swap is very straightforward.