I need Input before I start! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC69 · 07-22-2003, 12:21 AM

After 2 years, and now have access to my truck again( moved out of town), 69 GMC fleetside long box. I want to get it out of "storage" and get some work done to it. Before I start I wanted some input,

So this is what I have planned for the truck: install power steering and power brakes off of my donner truck ( approx an 83 pickup) also convert from drum to disc brake, change my staight six to a v-8 and of course lower it. Now since I have my donner truck should I swap the front suspension, ( would it then be easier to convert to disk brake, power steering and lower) or keep my current suspension and work with that.

I was thinking of just getting drop coils and drop shocks for the 4 corners since it is a coil suspension on it now and it's cheaper. But if I convert the front suspension then I would get drop spindles.

Any comments or help is greatly appreaciated, oh and one really important thing, does anyone know a place to get my parts in Canada, preffereably in Ontario, since duty costs and freight will kill me on a few things i have planned later.

My baby in storage

The donner truck

More pics to follow once I get her back in the light of day.

krue · 07-22-2003, 12:27 AM

Welcome to the board from way down in South Mississippi!
I haven't done it yet, but the front crossmember should swap right in, you just have to widen two holes in your frame.

GMC69 · 07-22-2003, 12:42 AM

That is what I heard about a couple of holes, so I am guessing that the crossmember swap would be the best solution then I can get drop spindles.

Now the only thing is that if I do that, the front will be 5 bolt and the rear will be 6 bolt, then again I don't plan on using the same size tires on front and back.

GMC69 · 07-22-2003, 12:58 AM

Almost forgot to ask the most important question.

Does anyone knwo of a good place to get drop spings and shocks for my truck up in Ontario, Canada. The exchange and duty just kills me on parts, we ran into that problem while restoring my Dads 78 Vette.

1971 Cheyenne · 07-22-2003, 01:46 AM

Welcome to the board!

I don't know of any places in cananada, but If you do end up buying down here, Early Classic Industries is supposed to be one of the best for suspensionm stuff.

ps: I talked to you briefly in the chat room, i'm "Poodude"

good luck!

**Palf70Step** · 07-22-2003, 05:40 AM

Another south Mississippi welvcome to the board.

07-22-2003, 12:21 AM	#1
GMC69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Posts: 734	I need Input before I start! After 2 years, and now have access to my truck again( moved out of town), 69 GMC fleetside long box. I want to get it out of "storage" and get some work done to it. Before I start I wanted some input, So this is what I have planned for the truck: install power steering and power brakes off of my donner truck ( approx an 83 pickup) also convert from drum to disc brake, change my staight six to a v-8 and of course lower it. Now since I have my donner truck should I swap the front suspension, ( would it then be easier to convert to disk brake, power steering and lower) or keep my current suspension and work with that. I was thinking of just getting drop coils and drop shocks for the 4 corners since it is a coil suspension on it now and it's cheaper. But if I convert the front suspension then I would get drop spindles. Any comments or help is greatly appreaciated, oh and one really important thing, does anyone know a place to get my parts in Canada, preffereably in Ontario, since duty costs and freight will kill me on a few things i have planned later. My baby in storage The donner truck More pics to follow once I get her back in the light of day. __________________ Mike Email: Click here to email me -- 2019 Silvedrado 4x4 1970 Chevy 3/4 ton, 396BB, on air bags Last edited by GMC69; 07-23-2003 at 08:28 AM.

07-22-2003, 12:27 AM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Welcome to the board from way down in South Mississippi! I haven't done it yet, but the front crossmember should swap right in, you just have to widen two holes in your frame. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

07-22-2003, 01:46 AM	#5
1971 Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,480	Welcome to the board! I don't know of any places in cananada, but If you do end up buying down here, Early Classic Industries is supposed to be one of the best for suspensionm stuff. ps: I talked to you briefly in the chat room, i'm "Poodude" good luck! __________________ Brian Pal 1971 Cheyenne 10 454/th400-Undergoing a full frame off resto. 1972 Chevy short/step 2wd, 350/th350 1983 M1009 CUCV Military K5 Blazer 1981 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually flatbed

07-22-2003, 05:40 AM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,820	Another south Mississippi welvcome to the board. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

07-22-2003, 12:42 AM	#3
GMC69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Posts: 734	That is what I heard about a couple of holes, so I am guessing that the crossmember swap would be the best solution then I can get drop spindles. Now the only thing is that if I do that, the front will be 5 bolt and the rear will be 6 bolt, then again I don't plan on using the same size tires on front and back.

07-22-2003, 12:58 AM	#4
GMC69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Posts: 734	Almost forgot to ask the most important question. Does anyone knwo of a good place to get drop spings and shocks for my truck up in Ontario, Canada. The exchange and duty just kills me on parts, we ran into that problem while restoring my Dads 78 Vette.



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