73-up Front End Conversion

[72BlckButy]

What all is need to upgrade a '67-'72, to accept the '73 and up ball joints...

Also what are the benefits of doing this upgrade? I've seen that a lot of guys have decided to take this step, so I wanted to find out the reasoning behind the madness, so to speak.

Thanks!

[hotrodhomi]

I'm upgrading to 73+ control arms because they offer more clearance for my bags.

[crazy longhorn]

Some guys like the slightly smoother ride that the rubber bushed (73 up arms give), other than that, the 73 -up spindles can be had a little cheaper. Also, the early parts are harder to find in some parts of the country. Personally, I prefer the old steel bushed a arms.....if you keep em greased, they will give about a 1/4 million miles of service! If you are running a 71-72, swap the upper balljoints, & the outter tierod ends, & you can bolt the 73up spindles onto your truck(10 series). 67-70, all the pcs are prettymuch different. Swap the upper & lower balljoints, & use ALL of the steering linkage from your 73 up donor truck(inners,outters,sleeves, centerlink /ect). I have been told on this mod, that you will need to grind the steer stops, to get full turning radius with the 67-70 lower arms. Also, note that there is a heavy, & a lite rotor on the 73+ trucks(heavy is 1 1/4" thick vs 1" thick on the lite parts), & the spindle is different....good to know when you are ordering dropped spindles. Hope that helps a bit,crazyL

[lolife99]

I think "crazy longhorn" nailed it. Price! If you have to replace all components with new,... you will spend less on the '73-up stuff. If you are just doing the spindle swap on the drum brake trucks, (pre'71),... I would swap ball joints and the outer ties rods. (Some years will require a different tie rod adjusting sleeve). Another thing for you guys wanting to use the '71-'72 stuff. I found the centerlink to be NOT available. Not from the aftermarket or GM. Luckily my blazer had a good one. If I had to do a '67-'70 or '71-'72, and needed everything new,... I would go the '73-up route.

[Couch]

now will the 73 a-arms bolt to a 69 crossmember, cause i have access to everything from a 73 running gear and want to keep it as simple as possible. like not swapping the crossmember itself

[lolife99]

Couch,... You can swap everything except the crossmember if you want. Or you can swap it all.

[Couch]

73 control arms are a direct bolt in replacement on my crossmember?im not sure what i should do. my current crossmember is a little tweaked. i might as well change it over. its all nuts and bolts anyways.any recommendations on how tight everything gets torqued and what not. never really messed with any susp. up front.

[duane67c-10]

I put the whole 85 crossmember under my 67 because it had new disk brakes and new balljoints. i just had to shim it under the top of the motor mount plates.