Advantages of the 73-87 front suspension?

[C10_ustacould]

Besides the 5 lug conversion, what are the other advantages of swapping to the 73-87 front suspension?

Also, is it better to convert the original 12 bolt to 5 lug or swap in a 10 bolt out of the 73-87 chassis?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BucksSS

Besides the 5 lug conversion, what are the other advantages of swapping to the 73-87 front suspension?

Also, is it better to convert the original 12 bolt to 5 lug or swap in a 10 bolt out of the 73-87 chassis?

Advantages or differences depending on your perspective....
73-87's are easier to source parts for.
73-87's are cheaper to source parts for.
The thicker rubber of the 73-87 bushings isolate the chassis from noise/vibration better then the earlier pre-73 rubber-lined steel bushings.

As far as the rear housing, if you swap in a 10-bolt from a 73-87, you still have axles w/@ best 24yrs of service life (bearing wear), you have to do the labor for the swap, plus you'll possibly have to remove & fabricate new bracketry. Swapping in conversion axles is by far the better choice unless your rear housing is trashed & someone is offering a fresh 10-bolt.

[C10_ustacould]

All good points. Thanks for the info. What about rear brakes? Will 73-87 brakes bolt up to the 12 bolt? If you are going to have the axles out anyway, might as well change the backing plate if it would work. That would make servicing the rear brakes just as easy.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BucksSS

All good points. Thanks for the info. What about rear brakes? Will 73-87 brakes bolt up to the 12 bolt? If you are going to have the axles out anyway, might as well change the backing plate if it would work. That would make servicing the rear brakes just as easy.

Yes they will also interchange. From the ones I've messed with, there wasn't much (if any) difference unless swapping the HD rear brake set-up. The backing plate is different for the HD set-up. When I've done 5-lug convesions, I bought parts for a 71-72 truck & used the early 6-lug drum backing plate w/o issue. The only 'custom' parts were the 5-lug axles; everything else was 71-72 spec'd.

[OJ1988]

I swapped to 73-87 front, but went with cpp 6 lug rotors so I did not have to touch the rear.

Things I noticed, A Arms are physiclly bigger. Bushings are bigger ( I swapped in poly urathane), ball joints are bigger, tie rods are bigger....

you get the point.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by OJ1988

I swapped to 73-87 front, but went with cpp 6 lug rotors so I did not have to touch the rear.

Things I noticed, A Arms are physiclly bigger. Bushings are bigger ( I swapped in poly urathane), ball joints are bigger, tie rods are bigger....

you get the point.

Disc brake parts are 'heavier duty' vs. drum stuff.

[kieth]

One thing to watch for is the 73-87 Pickup and 73-91 suburban---the track is wider, so watch your front fender clearances, I think 3/4" per side so a total of 1.5" wider.