Picked up my 73-87 crossmember, what now?

[jkade]

What will be the easiest to do.
1. Leave the current crossmember in and swap the arms and steering.

2. Pull old crossmember and install the new one?

I want to do which ever is quickest. What are the advantages of swapping the crossmembers or just parts?

Thanks

[MrShelley]

I say leave the current crossmember in and swap everything out. That way you can replace all the worn bushings, rod ends, ball joints, etc. and have everything under the front of the truck fresh and new.

[71tahoe]

If any of the new parts are questionable, replace them.

[SCOTI]

It's more work to swap the crossmember if anything needs rebuilding. So unless everything has already been rebuilt on the 'new' c.member, just swap the parts so you can inspect everything as you do the swap.

[trkklr77]

every thing is lined up and ready to go

its only 18 bolts total to remove the existing cross and 2 tie rod ends

you will need to jack the front up pretty high though.

i did the complete swap and you only have to drill 2 holes, one on each side, everything else lines up.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by trkklr77

every thing is lined up and ready to go

its only 18 bolts total to remove the existing cross and 2 tie rod ends

you will need to jack the front up pretty high though.

i did the complete swap and you only have to drill 2 holes, one on each side, everything else lines up.

I agree. Quick and dirty- if the engine is out...

[dave2953]

I vote for leaving the current c-member in and swapping everything else. That's what I did and it worked well, especially if you're having to replace some/all of the components.

[72CSTC5]

swap everything out and leave the xmember. I am about to do the same with my truck soon

[Lil-Joe]

I must be missing something here.... I'm doing the 8 lug to 5 lug swap myself(asked the same ??? a fiew weeks ago) and I was told I had to swap out the x-member because the 69 8 lug set up was different than the 87 5 lug I plan to change all the pieces-parts w/ new stuff, but for now , to just get the roling chassis going (to tub the rear and establish a ride height) I just unbolted the fiew bolts and the whole thing fell out. I have to drill out a fiew holes but the whole unit slid in.............................any Ideas ??

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Lil-Joe

I must be missing something here.... I'm doing the 8 lug to 5 lug swap myself(asked the same ??? a fiew weeks ago) and I was told I had to swap out the x-member because the 69 8 lug set up was different than the 87 5 lug I plan to change all the pieces-parts w/ new stuff, but for now , to just get the roling chassis going (to tub the rear and establish a ride height) I just unbolted the fiew bolts and the whole thing fell out. I have to drill out a fiew holes but the whole unit slid in.............................any Ideas ??

Are you confused because there's possibly differences between 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton?

If you want 1/2 ton, swap as much as you can.

[trkklr77]

the a arms are different on the bottom of the 8lug stuff, longer. it would give you and insane camber issue.

[Lil-Joe]

....So I take it that I am on the right track....Reading the prev. Question made me think that I was headed in the wrong direction....Thanks Guys.

[jkade]

Set up for sale with new drop spindles.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jkade

Set up for sale with new drop spindles.

What are you doing now?

[jkade]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

What are you doing now?

Robbing parts from the blazer It was just sitting there looking so innocent so I said what the heck. The blazer is not going to be done anytime soon and it has brand new drilled and slotted rotors and new pads, I replaced the original lower balljoints and everything else was tight. I may keep the drop spindles but for what I will spend on tubular upper and lower controls for it and the big brake kit we were talking about I could afford to put vette suspension under it. I am going to rob the rearend also since it has new impala ss brakes on it, new gears and locker. I will probaly end up and mini tub it and run a 22x10 on the back of it. I decided I should just save my money and turn the blazer into what I really want instead of what I can afford right now so it will probably be 2009 before it is done and that is fine with me.