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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Caldwell, ID
Posts: 17
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Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
Hello,
I have recently registered, but I've lurked here for a long time. I am starting to rebuild my 1966 1/2T that I've owned for 20 years. It was a long fleet, but it will now be a short fleetside. I'm going to put in a complete front end from a '77 Chev 1/2T. I have some lowering springs that I had bought some time ago for the '66. Will they fit the '77 front end? Additionally, is there any difference between the cross members? Should I use the '77 vs the '66? Thanks for your help. I'll post pics as I get them organized. |
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#2 |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
Yep, they will fit no problem. I recommend you leave the actual crossmember in and swap ALL of the part over to your current '66. The arms, steering, spindles, etc. will all bolt on. Saves a lot of work, unless there is some major damage to the main crossmember part.
__________________
. 1965 C10 Panel, ![]() 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often... |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Caldwell, ID
Posts: 17
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
Thanks.
So there isn't any difference in the cross members? |
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#4 |
60-66 Nut
![]() ![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,247
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
Aside from being 11 years newer, the only difference is that the holes for the lower control arm U-bolts are larger to accommodate the larger U-bolts. Which I would recommend upgrading to. When installing a '73-'87 suspension crossmember under a '63-'66 frame, you will have to drill 1 hole on each side and elongate 1 hole on each side. In the past when I have upgraded a truck to front disc brakes, the engine was out and the entire suspension was installed without a complete rebuild to get the truck rolling ASAP. Then what needed to be replaced was done later.
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Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Caldwell, ID
Posts: 17
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
I was going to snag the power brake booster/mc. Does your PB bracket work with the earlier boosters, or just the later ones?
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,330
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
I swapped the entire crossmember from an 85 on to my 66. Seemed like quite a bit less work than swapping all the components individually. I too thought the thicker ubolt upgrade was worth it.
Drilling the new holes and elongating the other two wasn't too hard. |
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#7 | |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
Quote:
You can upgrade the u-bolts by drilling the holes bigger on the early one.
__________________
. 1965 C10 Panel, ![]() 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often... |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,330
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
Yeah my engine was out already, so for me it was a quicker just to slide the new one under and do it that way.
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Caldwell, ID
Posts: 17
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Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
It's going to be a frame off rebuild, so swapping the cross members is not a problem.
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#10 |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
|
Re: Front springs 1966 vs. 1977
In that case, if you're not rebuilding all the bushings, ball joints, etc. swapping the whole thing is the quicker method. Actually you can do most of that rebuild before swapping over.
__________________
. 1965 C10 Panel, ![]() 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often... |
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