Crossmember swap Brake upgrade

[DLH]

I just acquired a 70 c10. I need to upgrade the drum brakes to disks. I can get a rolling Silverado 89 chassis for free. From what I have researched the 73-87 is preferred. But I never could figure out why I can't use the 89 stuff? Did I mention the 89 chassis is free. I though since 89 is still considered 3rd gen it should work.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by DLH

I just acquired a 70 c10. I need to upgrade the drum brakes to disks. I can get a rolling Silverado 89 chassis for free. From what I have researched the 73-87 is preferred. But I never could figure out why I can't use the 89 stuff? Did I mention the 89 chassis is free. I though since 89 is still considered 3rd gen it should work.

Welcome to the '67-'72 truck board.

A lot of times the whole front cross member is swapped out and I think the '88 up cross member is welded in except for maybe the Suburbans. I can't tell you about the "A" arms and stuff because I'm not familiar with the later trucks.

Look at this thread and see if it has any info you can use.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

If you send Kieth "Lolife99" a message he might be able to tell you.

LockDoc

[MikeB]

I didn't know you could even use a 73-87 crossmember, because the frame was quite different. However, you can use a 71-72 crossmember, or all the steering and brake parts minus the crossmember.

There are also sources for all the 71-72 parts you'll need to convert to disc brakes, as well as everything you'd need in one kit. For example: https://www.mpbrakes.com/front-brake...7F683EDC1B912E

Apparently the MP Brakes kit lets you use stock 67-70 ball joints, center link, and tie rod ends. They make pretty good stuff and are very helpful. Give them a call or start an online chat.

[Palf70Step]

Far as I know the OBS (88-98) are not an easy swap. I believe it is because the width of the frame rails is very different (OBS is wider I believe). On my old 70 I used 78 Spindles, brakes, ball joints, Tie rod ends (inner and outer), crosslink, idler arm, and pitman arm (I was also going from manual to power steering) with the stock 70 A-arms. Came together great and had all easy to find stock parts (and all are 78 so it made it easy to remember when /if I ever need replacements. You can easily swap the entire front cross member of a squarebody to get the later style A-arms (I prefer the older grease-able one). If you do the entire cross member there are a couple holes in the cross member you have to wallow out to bolt onto the 70 frame. I don't remember which ones, but you should find it here on the board.

Again I don't think the 88-98 style will work without a bunch of mods.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

On my old 70 I used 78 Spindles, brakes, ball joints, Tie rod ends (inner and outer), crosslink, idler arm, and pitman arm (I was also going from manual to power steering) with the stock 70 A-arms. Came together great and had all easy to find stock parts (and all are 78 so it made it easy to remember when /if I ever need replacements.

I did that using 85 C10 parts on my 69 C10. Initially used 69 center link with outer tie rod adapters back in the 90s, but later changed to 100% OE-type parts, including 73-87 center link.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

You can easily swap the entire front cross member of a squarebody to get the later style A-arms.

I didn't know that. Thanks.