Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Apacheman · 08-20-2010, 12:58 AM

Hi Folks,
Im doing a bunch of work to my Apache, just finished TIG welding the whole frame. I just got my motor mounts in to swap a 1973 Cadillac 500 cid motor into it and i wanted to change the front over to a coil over frontend (crossmember, and all the suspension parts) from a 1963-1966. Is it possible? What work do i have to do? Thanks!

edflores · 08-20-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apacheman

Hi Folks,
Im doing a bunch of work to my Apache, just finished TIG welding the whole frame. I just got my motor mounts in to swap a 1973 Cadillac 500 cid motor into it and i wanted to change the front over to a coil over frontend (crossmember, and all the suspension parts) from a 1963-1966. Is it possible? What work do i have to do? Thanks!

Use a 73-87 crossmber, arms, etc. You will get disc and power steering, as well as more available parts
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake

Apacheman · 08-21-2010, 02:26 AM

Thanks for your reply,
I know you said 1973-1987, but would a 1972 Chevy truck crossmember and suspension work? Theres a guy around the corner from me selling one thats in showroom condition.

edflores · 08-21-2010, 04:15 AM

Yes sir

raycow · 08-21-2010, 01:50 PM

The 72 crossmember is actually a slightly easier swap than 73-up (no holes to drill). The only downside is that you will still have the old syle control arm bushings which require frequent greasing. This is NOT a problem if the truck isn't going to be a DD.

Ray

Apacheman · 08-22-2010, 02:10 AM

So i just bought that crossmember and suspension today! It actually ended up being from a 1971. So is there any way to change it over to the non-grease packed bushings? And if I buy after market A-arms from somewhere like CPP with the poly bushings, do they still need to be greased? Thanks for all your knowledge guys!

raycow · 08-22-2010, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apacheman

It actually ended up being from a 1971. So is there any way to change it over to the non-grease packed bushings? And if I buy after market A-arms from somewhere like CPP with the poly bushings, do they still need to be greased?

Sorry, I lied to you about not having to drill holes. That's true only on 63-up frames. On 60-62 you have to drill some holes no matter what year crossmember you use.

The 71 bushings and shafts are like the ones on your 61. To get rid of the grease-type bushings you need to use 73-up control arms and shafts. The difference will be evident when you compare the two. If the CPP control arms have poly bushings they should be the 73-up type.

Ray

Apacheman · 08-22-2010, 04:19 PM

I was going over pictures of what the 71-72 control arms looked like compared to the 73-87, where they mount to the cross member look like they could possibly be switched. Would they, or are the pictures deceiving?

71-72
uppers:
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-UKB480.htm
lowers:
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-LKB481.htm

73-87
uppers
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-UKB903.htm

08-20-2010, 12:58 AM	#1
Apacheman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 9	Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside Hi Folks, Im doing a bunch of work to my Apache, just finished TIG welding the whole frame. I just got my motor mounts in to swap a 1973 Cadillac 500 cid motor into it and i wanted to change the front over to a coil over frontend (crossmember, and all the suspension parts) from a 1963-1966. Is it possible? What work do i have to do? Thanks! __________________ UA 447 Plumbers & Pipefitters 1961 Apache Shortbed Fleetside

08-21-2010, 02:26 AM	#3
Apacheman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 9	Re: Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside Thanks for your reply, I know you said 1973-1987, but would a 1972 Chevy truck crossmember and suspension work? Theres a guy around the corner from me selling one thats in showroom condition. __________________ UA 447 Plumbers & Pipefitters 1961 Apache Shortbed Fleetside

08-21-2010, 04:15 AM	#4
edflores Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Riverside CA Posts: 860	Re: Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside Yes sir

08-21-2010, 01:50 PM	#5
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside The 72 crossmember is actually a slightly easier swap than 73-up (no holes to drill). The only downside is that you will still have the old syle control arm bushings which require frequent greasing. This is NOT a problem if the truck isn't going to be a DD. Ray

08-22-2010, 02:10 AM	#6
Apacheman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 9	Re: Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside So i just bought that crossmember and suspension today! It actually ended up being from a 1971. So is there any way to change it over to the non-grease packed bushings? And if I buy after market A-arms from somewhere like CPP with the poly bushings, do they still need to be greased? Thanks for all your knowledge guys! __________________ UA 447 Plumbers & Pipefitters 1961 Apache Shortbed Fleetside

08-22-2010, 04:19 PM	#8
Apacheman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 9	Re: Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside I was going over pictures of what the 71-72 control arms looked like compared to the 73-87, where they mount to the cross member look like they could possibly be switched. Would they, or are the pictures deceiving? 71-72 uppers: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-UKB480.htm lowers: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-LKB481.htm 73-87 uppers http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-UKB903.htm __________________ UA 447 Plumbers & Pipefitters 1961 Apache Shortbed Fleetside Last edited by Apacheman; 08-22-2010 at 04:20 PM.



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