73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

my68c20 · 11-05-2008, 09:10 PM

Hi all!

I have a 72 c20 I have a few 73-87 upgrades done to my truck. Most of these upgrades were done by a friend of mine that I purchased the truck off of. First the coil springs and trailing arms are gone in place is leafs and a rear with a locker with fairly high gears for highway speeds. power steering box and pump also from 73-87 pickup the big steering wheel with the newer ps almost turns too good. accelerator pedal and cable from 73-87 also no more sticking throttle. I am really interested in power brakes i have spindle caliper and rotor assembly once i figure out which ball joints im wanting to try this upgrade im just wondering is there anymore 73-87 upgrades similar to these sometimes i wonder if im wasting my time or should i just put this body on a 73-87 frame!

dave2953 · 11-05-2008, 10:03 PM

I did an 88-91 'Burb brake upgrade on my 68. The swap wasn't too bad. I used the stock crossmember with the burb a-arms, spindles, bj's, tie rods, centerlink, blah, blah, blah. I also used the booster/master. Had to slot the holes to make it clear the hood. Stock rear brake hardline fit into the newer master cylinder. Had to re-use the front hard line from the burb and route it. As for other upgrades, I'm not too sure. That's the only one my truck has seen from a newer truck thus far. I'm sure some others will chime in with their experiences. BTW,

to the board from North Georgia!

my68c20 · 11-06-2008, 11:48 PM

Cool! Thanks for the reply to my post. I cant wait to get some discs on my old beater!

**special-K** · 11-07-2008, 08:08 AM

There`s really not much different between 67/72 and 73/87s.Those added things were all available and no different on the earlier trucks.All 68/72 trucks steer way easy with p/s.Power brakes can be swapped out of any GM light truck.Same with disc brakes.I definately wouldn`t swap frames.The frame itself does have differences.

my68c20 · 11-08-2008, 10:11 PM

thanks as i mentioned i have a c20 but i have found a donor 77 half ton pickup is there any differences in the brake booster master cylinder and proportioning valves? i really want to use the pedal out of it also!

Sport/Truck · 11-09-2008, 10:43 AM

I wouldn't consider replacing trailing arms/coil springs to leafs springs an up grade.....
s/t

Gray Ghost · 11-09-2008, 11:20 AM

That really depends on what he wants the truck to do. Coils and trailing arms are much better for acceleration/traction and handling while the leafs are better for load carrying. I haul a ton of stuff but I like the arms and coils...wouldn't trade 'em cause of the handling and power transfer advantages.

Sport/Truck · 11-09-2008, 11:51 AM

I agree with that... I'm sure newer leaf springs are better (ride wise) than what was available on our 67-72's.
s/t

tumbleweed68 · 11-09-2008, 01:06 PM

I was going to try the whole body swap thing onto an 80 half ton frame but found that the wheelbase was about three inches longer and it would have been a real pain in the butt to deal with. I did find that the whole front suspension is the same, steering box and all. So, what I am going to do is transplant all that into mine. As for the rear axel, someone on here gave me a website to get all the brackets to switch a leaf spring axel over to trailing arms. If you need, let me know and i will get you the add. Anyway, I like the trailing arms better for the ride. For hauling, not so much. But that is a call you have to make. Good luck.

my68c20 · 11-09-2008, 07:45 PM

The truck rides like a dump truck but has hauled ALOT of junk!!!!!

11-05-2008, 09:10 PM	#1
my68c20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LeRoy Illinois Posts: 17	73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. Hi all! I have a 72 c20 I have a few 73-87 upgrades done to my truck. Most of these upgrades were done by a friend of mine that I purchased the truck off of. First the coil springs and trailing arms are gone in place is leafs and a rear with a locker with fairly high gears for highway speeds. power steering box and pump also from 73-87 pickup the big steering wheel with the newer ps almost turns too good. accelerator pedal and cable from 73-87 also no more sticking throttle. I am really interested in power brakes i have spindle caliper and rotor assembly once i figure out which ball joints im wanting to try this upgrade im just wondering is there anymore 73-87 upgrades similar to these sometimes i wonder if im wasting my time or should i just put this body on a 73-87 frame!

11-05-2008, 10:03 PM	#2
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. I did an 88-91 'Burb brake upgrade on my 68. The swap wasn't too bad. I used the stock crossmember with the burb a-arms, spindles, bj's, tie rods, centerlink, blah, blah, blah. I also used the booster/master. Had to slot the holes to make it clear the hood. Stock rear brake hardline fit into the newer master cylinder. Had to re-use the front hard line from the burb and route it. As for other upgrades, I'm not too sure. That's the only one my truck has seen from a newer truck thus far. I'm sure some others will chime in with their experiences. BTW, to the board from North Georgia! __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

11-06-2008, 11:48 PM	#3
my68c20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LeRoy Illinois Posts: 17	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. Cool! Thanks for the reply to my post. I cant wait to get some discs on my old beater!

11-07-2008, 08:08 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. There`s really not much different between 67/72 and 73/87s.Those added things were all available and no different on the earlier trucks.All 68/72 trucks steer way easy with p/s.Power brakes can be swapped out of any GM light truck.Same with disc brakes.I definately wouldn`t swap frames.The frame itself does have differences. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-08-2008, 10:11 PM	#5
my68c20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LeRoy Illinois Posts: 17	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. thanks as i mentioned i have a c20 but i have found a donor 77 half ton pickup is there any differences in the brake booster master cylinder and proportioning valves? i really want to use the pedal out of it also!

11-09-2008, 10:43 AM	#6
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. I wouldn't consider replacing trailing arms/coil springs to leafs springs an up grade..... s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

11-09-2008, 11:20 AM	#7
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. That really depends on what he wants the truck to do. Coils and trailing arms are much better for acceleration/traction and handling while the leafs are better for load carrying. I haul a ton of stuff but I like the arms and coils...wouldn't trade 'em cause of the handling and power transfer advantages. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps. Last edited by Gray Ghost; 11-09-2008 at 11:21 AM.

11-09-2008, 11:51 AM	#8
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. I agree with that... I'm sure newer leaf springs are better (ride wise) than what was available on our 67-72's. s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

11-09-2008, 01:06 PM	#9
tumbleweed68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Colo, Iowa Posts: 41	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. I was going to try the whole body swap thing onto an 80 half ton frame but found that the wheelbase was about three inches longer and it would have been a real pain in the butt to deal with. I did find that the whole front suspension is the same, steering box and all. So, what I am going to do is transplant all that into mine. As for the rear axel, someone on here gave me a website to get all the brackets to switch a leaf spring axel over to trailing arms. If you need, let me know and i will get you the add. Anyway, I like the trailing arms better for the ride. For hauling, not so much. But that is a call you have to make. Good luck.

11-09-2008, 07:45 PM	#10
my68c20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LeRoy Illinois Posts: 17	Re: 73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups. The truck rides like a dump truck but has hauled ALOT of junk!!!!!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.