front cross member swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

into69z · 03-20-2009, 10:55 PM

I know the group will have the answer-I want to change to disc brakes up front and someone gave me the a-arms, spindals,calipers rotors for free!! Yeah I was a happy man that day. I was talking to another guy who said it's much easier to swap out the whole cross member complete 7-14 bolts, roll it out and roll in a replacement ready to go-says the springs are hard to deal with (3/4) ton and the front end will not be alind. He also said you can use up to a 91 suburban cross member or up to 88 in pick ups. what do you that have done this think? I can get a complete cross member ready to bolt in for $150.00. I think that is a good price-also what about the proportioning valve-would I go with the suburban unit or back to our vintage trucks....mine's a 69..Steve

6971Chevy · 03-20-2009, 11:05 PM

I just did a swap from a 85 into my 69. I had to drill out 1 whole on each side, and use a file to open up another whole on each side. It is great because of the disc brakes, and much newer stuff. Not sure about the prop valve, but I am going to use the one off the 85 as well. This is the 69 cross member that came out. I can take some more pics tomorrow if you would like to see the crossmember of the 85 that is in the 69 frame.

into69z · 03-22-2009, 12:27 AM

Thanks for the reply and pics.I just wanted to make sure this would work like the guys said. It makes more sense to have newer parts....steve

70GMCer · 03-22-2009, 07:26 AM

Just a little note. If you are using long tube Hedman Headers for sbc, (in the V8 mount position on the xmember), they will hit the lower control arms of the 73/87 setup.

PanelDeland · 03-22-2009, 07:40 AM

Into 69z,you seem to have the idea.If you want more info on the swap and want to research the difference between swapping crossmembers and just control arms out look in the FAQ section.I'm sure someone has written it up both ways.
You do need the prop valve from the later truck and the Master cylinder.The disc brakes require different residual valves and MC volume.Again the FAQ's section can guide you on which brake rod to use and which stuff works with what.There are too many ways to work all this out for me to repeat( well OK remember).

03-20-2009, 10:55 PM	#1
into69z "brand new second-hand" Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: White House, Tennessee Posts: 526	front cross member swap I know the group will have the answer-I want to change to disc brakes up front and someone gave me the a-arms, spindals,calipers rotors for free!! Yeah I was a happy man that day. I was talking to another guy who said it's much easier to swap out the whole cross member complete 7-14 bolts, roll it out and roll in a replacement ready to go-says the springs are hard to deal with (3/4) ton and the front end will not be alind. He also said you can use up to a 91 suburban cross member or up to 88 in pick ups. what do you that have done this think? I can get a complete cross member ready to bolt in for $150.00. I think that is a good price-also what about the proportioning valve-would I go with the suburban unit or back to our vintage trucks....mine's a 69..Steve __________________ Steve 69 3/4t custom camper tilt,am/fm,speed warning,air gauge,buddy buckets,aux battery, big block,p/s,p/b,a/c 67 Camaro 96 Impala ss-sold 04 hybrid Honda-saving gas for the blue truck!:b69:

03-20-2009, 11:05 PM	#2
6971Chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Inola, Ok Posts: 64	Re: front cross member swap I just did a swap from a 85 into my 69. I had to drill out 1 whole on each side, and use a file to open up another whole on each side. It is great because of the disc brakes, and much newer stuff. Not sure about the prop valve, but I am going to use the one off the 85 as well. This is the 69 cross member that came out. I can take some more pics tomorrow if you would like to see the crossmember of the 85 that is in the 69 frame. Attached Images __________________ 1969 C-10 (soon to have LT4) 1971 Z-28 383 stroked with PW 2007 Classic Body GMC Crew Cab

03-22-2009, 12:27 AM	#3
into69z "brand new second-hand" Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: White House, Tennessee Posts: 526	Re: front cross member swap Thanks for the reply and pics.I just wanted to make sure this would work like the guys said. It makes more sense to have newer parts....steve __________________ Steve 69 3/4t custom camper tilt,am/fm,speed warning,air gauge,buddy buckets,aux battery, big block,p/s,p/b,a/c 67 Camaro 96 Impala ss-sold 04 hybrid Honda-saving gas for the blue truck!:b69:

03-22-2009, 07:26 AM	#4
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: front cross member swap Just a little note. If you are using long tube Hedman Headers for sbc, (in the V8 mount position on the xmember), they will hit the lower control arms of the 73/87 setup. __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang Last edited by 70GMCer; 03-22-2009 at 07:27 AM.

03-22-2009, 07:40 AM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: front cross member swap Into 69z,you seem to have the idea.If you want more info on the swap and want to research the difference between swapping crossmembers and just control arms out look in the FAQ section.I'm sure someone has written it up both ways. You do need the prop valve from the later truck and the Master cylinder.The disc brakes require different residual valves and MC volume.Again the FAQ's section can guide you on which brake rod to use and which stuff works with what.There are too many ways to work all this out for me to repeat( well OK remember). __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"



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