Any advantage in using 73-87 front crossmember? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

D-n-Tyke · 02-01-2025, 08:00 PM

Planning on swapping the front suspension on a 1972 C20 8-lug truck to suspension off a 1974 C10 5-lug truck. I have the complete suspension crossmember and all off the 74 C10. I just don't know if there is really any advantages in swapping out the crossmembers when doing this seap. The only thing I have found is the low a-arm shaft retainer u-bolts are bigger on the 74 crossmember. But is there anything else? Are the larger retainer u-bolts really that much better when the truck is just going to be a daily driver?

Would I be smarter to just swap over the 74 suspension components onto the 72 crossmember. Or it really is smarter to swap over everthing, crossmember included. Looking all the advice I can get on this. Thanks.

**dmjlambert** · 02-01-2025, 08:06 PM

I think in 72 the C20 would have had 8 lugs so wondering what you have. Perhaps 4 wheel drive 1/2 ton?

D-n-Tyke · 02-01-2025, 09:03 PM

Sorry, both 1972 C20 I am building, and the 1974 donor suspension are off 2wd trucks.

And you are correct. The 1972 C20 is 8 lug, I keep mistakenly put 6-lug.

**LockDoc** · 02-01-2025, 11:17 PM

-
You will get differing opinions but I have always swapped the complete x-member. The one deciding factor for me is that all of the ones I have swapped into did not have engines in them.
.

**67 twins** · 02-02-2025, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
You will get differing opinions but I have always swapped the complete x-member. The one deciding factor for me is that all of the ones I have swapped into did not have engines in them.
.

When I swapped mine the engine was in place. That had no affect on my decision, I don't really see the correlation. Explain your reasoning please?

**HO455** · 02-02-2025, 10:34 AM

Have you considered doing the caster mod while your doing the work?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=501241

**LockDoc** · 02-02-2025, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67 twins

When I swapped mine the engine was in place. That had no affect on my decision, I don't really see the correlation. Explain your reasoning please?

Sure. The main thing for me is trying to get the frame jacked up and the engine blocked up. I have limited space in my shop (my fault) and I don't have any help local to me. It has just worked out that every truck I wanted to put front disks on did not have an engine in it.... So I just changed the whole X-member. I didn't mean to imply that that was the best way to do it, just the way I have done it in the past.

KQQL IT · 02-02-2025, 10:33 PM

And at least 15 year newer metal.
They can crack

02-01-2025, 08:00 PM	#1
D-n-Tyke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: El Cajon, CA Posts: 306	Any advantage in using 73-87 front crossmember? Planning on swapping the front suspension on a 1972 C20 8-lug truck to suspension off a 1974 C10 5-lug truck. I have the complete suspension crossmember and all off the 74 C10. I just don't know if there is really any advantages in swapping out the crossmembers when doing this seap. The only thing I have found is the low a-arm shaft retainer u-bolts are bigger on the 74 crossmember. But is there anything else? Are the larger retainer u-bolts really that much better when the truck is just going to be a daily driver? Would I be smarter to just swap over the 74 suspension components onto the 72 crossmember. Or it really is smarter to swap over everthing, crossmember included. Looking all the advice I can get on this. Thanks. Last edited by D-n-Tyke; 02-01-2025 at 09:04 PM.

02-01-2025, 08:06 PM	#2
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,948	Re: Any advantage in using 73-87 front crossmember? I think in 72 the C20 would have had 8 lugs so wondering what you have. Perhaps 4 wheel drive 1/2 ton?

02-01-2025, 09:03 PM	#3
D-n-Tyke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: El Cajon, CA Posts: 306	Re: Any advantage in using 73-87 front crossmember? Sorry, both 1972 C20 I am building, and the 1974 donor suspension are off 2wd trucks. And you are correct. The 1972 C20 is 8 lug, I keep mistakenly put 6-lug.

02-01-2025, 11:17 PM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 26,064	Re: Any advantage in using 73-87 front crossmember? - You will get differing opinions but I have always swapped the complete x-member. The one deciding factor for me is that all of the ones I have swapped into did not have engines in them. . __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

02-02-2025, 10:34 AM	#6
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,601	Re: Any advantage in using 73-87 front crossmember? Have you considered doing the caster mod while your doing the work? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=501241 __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

02-02-2025, 10:33 PM	#8
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,315	Re: Any advantage in using 73-87 front crossmember? And at least 15 year newer metal. They can crack Attached Images __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

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