73+ ball joints in my 69 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

arkracing · 10-04-2004, 04:55 PM

I have a 69 1/2ton with the usual drum brake/non-power front end. I know that i can bolt the whole crossmember from a 73+ into my chassis with very little modification (the two bolt holes that don't line up)

my question is will 73+ ball joints bolt/press into the 69 Upper and Lower Control or "A-Arms".

I have a 73+ front end but the upper ctrl arms are Rotted (as I live in New England) and the control arms look the same size (other than the bushings)

so the question is:
will 73+ ball joints bolt/press into my 69 control arms so that i can use the disc brake setup out of the 73+

(I know that i have to also use the steering components from the 73+ because they are different)

Any Info is appreciated
Thanks
Andy

**lolife99** · 10-04-2004, 06:20 PM

,... the answer is yes.

arkracing · 10-04-2004, 06:43 PM

Thanks -
one more question -
I was reading some earlier post and one or two people mentioned doing this and said they had problems with the alignment????
why would it change the alignment - i know i have to have it aligned anyway - but is it that much different that it creats a problem

and other posts have said they done this swap with no problem.

crazy longhorn · 10-04-2004, 07:57 PM

I have 73 up balljoints & spindles on my 69....the parts are bolt in. The only issue i have heard of is the steer stops are a little different from drum to disc, & you may shorten your turn radius a bit. (easy fix with a grinder). my 69 was a 3/4 ton, swapped to 1/2 ton suspensoin.....the 1/2 ton balljoints bolted to the orig TOP arms, & the lower arms were swapped for a 71-72 set(due to hole size 1/2 to 3/4 ton). The '75 lower balljoints pressed right into the lower a arms. you have the steer linkage covered(use all of it from the later truck). there was one guy that reported alinement problems on this type swap......my guess is that he had a bent arm or something? my truck has run 10-12000 mi since the swap, without problems

best of luck,crazyL

arkracing · 10-05-2004, 08:39 AM

Thanks.

Appreciate the help.
I'm a Newbe to the 67-72 crowd. I just picked my truck up a few weeks ago and am going to make it my daily driver.

10-04-2004, 04:55 PM	#1
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	73+ ball joints in my 69 I have a 69 1/2ton with the usual drum brake/non-power front end. I know that i can bolt the whole crossmember from a 73+ into my chassis with very little modification (the two bolt holes that don't line up) my question is will 73+ ball joints bolt/press into the 69 Upper and Lower Control or "A-Arms". I have a 73+ front end but the upper ctrl arms are Rotted (as I live in New England) and the control arms look the same size (other than the bushings) so the question is: will 73+ ball joints bolt/press into my 69 control arms so that i can use the disc brake setup out of the 73+ (I know that i have to also use the steering components from the 73+ because they are different) Any Info is appreciated Thanks Andy

10-04-2004, 06:20 PM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	,... the answer is yes. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

10-04-2004, 06:43 PM	#3
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	thanks Thanks - one more question - I was reading some earlier post and one or two people mentioned doing this and said they had problems with the alignment???? why would it change the alignment - i know i have to have it aligned anyway - but is it that much different that it creats a problem and other posts have said they done this swap with no problem.

10-04-2004, 07:57 PM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have 73 up balljoints & spindles on my 69....the parts are bolt in. The only issue i have heard of is the steer stops are a little different from drum to disc, & you may shorten your turn radius a bit. (easy fix with a grinder). my 69 was a 3/4 ton, swapped to 1/2 ton suspensoin.....the 1/2 ton balljoints bolted to the orig TOP arms, & the lower arms were swapped for a 71-72 set(due to hole size 1/2 to 3/4 ton). The '75 lower balljoints pressed right into the lower a arms. you have the steer linkage covered(use all of it from the later truck). there was one guy that reported alinement problems on this type swap......my guess is that he had a bent arm or something? my truck has run 10-12000 mi since the swap, without problems best of luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

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10-05-2004, 08:39 AM	#5
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Thanks. Appreciate the help. I'm a Newbe to the 67-72 crowd. I just picked my truck up a few weeks ago and am going to make it my daily driver.



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