Newby?? 69 to 72 A-arm/K-member swap ???

[jtmiller92]

Wasnt sure how to word the title but here goes. What are the differences if any in the upper and lower a-arms on 68-69 drum front ends and say a 72 disc upper and lower a-arms front end? Also are there differences in the K-member/Engine Crossmember? Will they all interchange?

The Reason for my Qustions are I have a 72 SWB TRuck I am restoring but the K-member and A-arms are poor condition, alot of rust in them. I have a good 69 frame that was restored sometime in the past and the upper and lower a-arms are in great shape along with the k-member. I will be using 72 Disc brake spindles if that makes a difference. I would use the search function but its not working. Thanks, jt

[JimKshortstep4x4]

The 72 cross member has the brackets on it for the disc brake hoses and the 72 spindles will only fit upper ball joints for 71-72 trucks. If you take care of these two issues, you should be ok on your swap.

Jim

[jtmiller92]

Originally Posted by JimKshortstep4x4

The 72 cross member has the brackets on it for the disc brake hoses and the 72 spindles will only fit upper ball joints for 71-72 trucks. If you take care of these two issues, you should be ok on your swap.

Jim

Hmm, Will the 71-72 Upper Ball Joints fir in the 69 Upper control arm? The bracket for the brake cable isnt really a problem. I guess I need to just sit both of them next to each other and start comparing parts.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

The ball joints from the 71-72 should fit your 69 upper control arms. The 71-72 upper ball joints are pricey as they only fit 71-72 but they are available.

Jim

[69 longhorn]

It sounds like you need to swap the complete crossmember in as an assy(no problem), it should bolt right in. if you get 71-72 balljoints, they will fit into the 68 arms, & let you use the 72 spindles. then use the steer linkage from the 72, & you should be set. you may find a diff in the steer stops on the older arms, but a little grind on the stops (on the spindles), should give back the turning radius. Good luck , & have fun..... L

[67ChevyRedneck]

69 Longhorn is right. I used 71 spindles with 67 control arms. The ball joints will fit into the A arms just fine. Mine were rivetted in and the replacements were bolt ins. You will need to have the lower joints "pressed in." I used the 71 crossmember and 71 steering box 'cause it was in better shape than mine and you need to use the 71-72 steering arm. My steer stops were almost a couple wheel's turn different. I turned the wheel from lock to lock with the old suspension and I think, don't quote me this was 2 years ago, it was 10 turns from lock to lock. I think the 71 spindles with my 67 a arms only turned 8 times from lock to lock? I shaved a little off each side, on the SPINDLE, with a grinder until I got the original turning radius back. I couldn't be happier with the disk brakes. They are awesome.

[jtmiller92]

Thanks for the replys, So I can just use the 71-72 upper ball joints and call it a day. Do i need to use all 69 control arm bushings and lower ball joint or all the 67-72 Control arm bushings and lower ball joints the same...........jt