Opinions: 71-72 vs. 73-87 front crossmember

[likaroc13]

hey guys,

i'm looking to do the 5-lug disc/drum swap...i've found a 72 with the rear end & gears i want...it also has the front crossmember with power steering/brakes...in my research though, i've read that there are some advantages with the 73-87 having rubber bushings...so, i'm unsure what to do...my initial plan was to find a 71/72 rear & 73-87 front crossmember...however, i didn't expect to find a complete 72 5-lug chassis...can anyone with experience list the pros/cons...should i just get the rear & hold out for a 73-87 front? or just get everything for the 72?

just for reference, my truck is a '66 short/fleet....later i plan on a 4.5/5.5" front drop, & 5" rear...this isn't a truck that will be driven daily...it's basically my weekend cruiser & show 'n' go truck...but i do want it to be road worthy enough to travel "comfortably" long distances every now and then


thanks for any help

[SCOTI]

71-71 a-arms are just like what you currently have on your 66; 73-87 have the more 'pliable' rubber bushings which transmit less road noise & vibration. Think of the 6x-72 bushings as rubber lined steel sleeves. You feel more because they deflect less. The question would be is the softer ride of the later bushings more important to you?

[likaroc13]

of course, i want it to be as comfortable as possible with a considerably lowered stance...but what i'm not sure of is how much of a difference is there between the two? drastic or not? considering this isn't something that will be daily driven, is it still worth it to go with the 73-87? that's where i'm stumped......so i guess i'm trying to figure out how much better of a ride will i have with the '73-87? if it's a very noticable difference, i'll hold out for the 73-87....if not, the 72 will have everything else i need

[protrash64]

I have one of each bushing type and can tell no difference. I believe tires,coils, and shocks play a more important roll.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I have one of each bushing type and can tell no difference. I believe tires,coils, and shocks play a more important roll.

Agreed.

I've used more of the 73-87 stuff doing conversions because it's easier to find in a wrecking yard vs. 71-72 stuff. I used 71-72 stuff for my 68 when I did the disc swap because it was an easy find. I haven't noticed much difference vs. my 74 (both trucks were lowered similarly w/dropped spindles w/1-coil cut).

[protrash64]

No debate about the cost of the newer stuff being more 'budget friendly'...

[62 mark]

I would prefer the newer style bushings, however on a budget i took what i could find cheap, which was a whole 72 chassis for 200 bucks.

[Chris65GMC]

Can someone post the thread on swaping a 73-87 front member/suspension on a 60-66. I looked but could not find....

Please?

Thanks!

Chris

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I have one of each bushing type and can tell no difference. I believe tires,coils, and shocks play a more important roll.

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Agreed.

I've used more of the 73-87 stuff doing conversions because it's easier to find in a wrecking yard vs. 71-72 stuff. I used 71-72 stuff for my 68 when I did the disc swap because it was an easy find. I haven't noticed much difference vs. my 74 (both trucks were lowered similarly w/dropped spindles w/1-coil cut).

thanks guys...this is what i was wondering

Originally Posted by Chris65GMC

Can someone post the thread on swaping a 73-87 front member/suspension on a 60-66. I looked but could not find....

Please?

Thanks!

Chris

here's a link to some details

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake

you can also look at Tx Firefighter's build thread for some pics of his swap...i'm sure there are several other members who have done this swap as well...you can browse through the build threads

[likaroc13]

any other opinions? i plan on looking at the 72 this weekend

[raycow]

I have used both designs and can't feel any difference in the ride. To me, the advantage of the 73-87 is that the bushings don't need to be greased. Also, you might prefer the later engine mount design.

If you find a 71-72 setup, you don't even have to swap the crossmember. Just unbolt the control arm shafts, which is a lot less work. If your truck isn't going to be used as a daily driver, the greasing should be a non-issue.

Ray

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by raycow

I have used both designs and can't feel any difference in the ride. To me, the advantage of the 73-87 is that the bushings don't need to be greased. Also, you might prefer the later engine mount design.

If you find a 71-72 setup, you don't even have to swap the crossmember. Just unbolt the control arm shafts, which is a lot less work. If your truck isn't going to be used as a daily driver, the greasing should be a non-issue.

Ray

You don't have to swap the c.member to use the later 73-87 style bushings. Just swap the a-arms, spindles, & the rest to the original c.member.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You don't have to swap the c.member to use the later 73-87 style bushings. Just swap the a-arms, spindles, & the rest to the original c.member.

Are the control arms the same length as the grease type? I'm asking because the only swap I have ever seen done like that had camber problems. I assumed the reason was the arm length, but I never actually compared the two types to find out. If they are the same, this would save a whole lot of work.

Ray

[62 Bowtie]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You don't have to swap the c.member to use the later 73-87 style bushings. Just swap the a-arms, spindles, & the rest to the original c.member.

Now for clarity this is for the 63-66 right? I have a 62 torsion bar set up so I will need the entire crossmember setup be it 72 or 73 not just the a-arms and spindles

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by raycow

I have used both designs and can't feel any difference in the ride. To me, the advantage of the 73-87 is that the bushings don't need to be greased. Also, you might prefer the later engine mount design.

If you find a 71-72 setup, you don't even have to swap the crossmember. Just unbolt the control arm shafts, which is a lot less work. If your truck isn't going to be used as a daily driver, the greasing should be a non-issue.

Ray

actually i don't mind swapping the crossmember, as i plan to paint/clean things up...i think it'll also make it easier to rebuild the components & then roll the crossmember under

Originally Posted by 62 Bowtie

Now for clarity this is for the 63-66 right? I have a 62 torsion bar set up so I will need the entire crossmember setup be it 72 or 73 not just the a-arms and spindles

i believe that is correct

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by raycow

Are the control arms the same length as the grease type? I'm asking because the only swap I have ever seen done like that had camber problems. I assumed the reason was the arm length, but I never actually compared the two types to find out. If they are the same, this would save a whole lot of work.

Ray

If there's a length difference, it's minute (I've stood them on the ground back to back). On the one you had camber issues, were the a-arms the only thing swapped?

The 63-66 suspension is similar to the 67-72 w/the steering box/linkage slightly different (actually it's the 63-67's that are different).

Originally Posted by 62 Bowtie

Now for clarity this is for the 63-66 right? I have a 62 torsion bar set up so I will need the entire crossmember setup be it 72 or 73 not just the a-arms and spindles

Yes, 63-66. Earlier trucks will require swapping the c.member (or to a Dropmember ).

[raycow]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

If there's a length difference, it's minute (I've stood them on the ground back to back). On the one you had camber issues, were the a-arms the only thing swapped?

Shafts, arms, spindles (stock, not dropped), and rotors (5 lug). All of this looked like salvage yard parts. This wasn't my truck. It was an unfinished project truck being offered for sale. I passed on it because a lot of the work looked questionable. It had worse problems than the camber.

Ray