73-87 upgrades for 67-72 pickups.

[my68c20]

Hi all!

I have a 72 c20 I have a few 73-87 upgrades done to my truck. Most of these upgrades were done by a friend of mine that I purchased the truck off of. First the coil springs and trailing arms are gone in place is leafs and a rear with a locker with fairly high gears for highway speeds. power steering box and pump also from 73-87 pickup the big steering wheel with the newer ps almost turns too good. accelerator pedal and cable from 73-87 also no more sticking throttle. I am really interested in power brakes i have spindle caliper and rotor assembly once i figure out which ball joints im wanting to try this upgrade im just wondering is there anymore 73-87 upgrades similar to these sometimes i wonder if im wasting my time or should i just put this body on a 73-87 frame!

[dave2953]

I did an 88-91 'Burb brake upgrade on my 68. The swap wasn't too bad. I used the stock crossmember with the burb a-arms, spindles, bj's, tie rods, centerlink, blah, blah, blah. I also used the booster/master. Had to slot the holes to make it clear the hood. Stock rear brake hardline fit into the newer master cylinder. Had to re-use the front hard line from the burb and route it. As for other upgrades, I'm not too sure. That's the only one my truck has seen from a newer truck thus far. I'm sure some others will chime in with their experiences. BTW, to the board from North Georgia!

[my68c20]

Cool! Thanks for the reply to my post. I cant wait to get some discs on my old beater!

[special-K]

There`s really not much different between 67/72 and 73/87s.Those added things were all available and no different on the earlier trucks.All 68/72 trucks steer way easy with p/s.Power brakes can be swapped out of any GM light truck.Same with disc brakes.I definately wouldn`t swap frames.The frame itself does have differences.

[my68c20]

thanks as i mentioned i have a c20 but i have found a donor 77 half ton pickup is there any differences in the brake booster master cylinder and proportioning valves? i really want to use the pedal out of it also!

[Sport/Truck]

I wouldn't consider replacing trailing arms/coil springs to leafs springs an up grade.....
s/t

[Gray Ghost]

That really depends on what he wants the truck to do. Coils and trailing arms are much better for acceleration/traction and handling while the leafs are better for load carrying. I haul a ton of stuff but I like the arms and coils...wouldn't trade 'em cause of the handling and power transfer advantages.

[Sport/Truck]

I agree with that... I'm sure newer leaf springs are better (ride wise) than what was available on our 67-72's.
s/t

[tumbleweed68]

I was going to try the whole body swap thing onto an 80 half ton frame but found that the wheelbase was about three inches longer and it would have been a real pain in the butt to deal with. I did find that the whole front suspension is the same, steering box and all. So, what I am going to do is transplant all that into mine. As for the rear axel, someone on here gave me a website to get all the brackets to switch a leaf spring axel over to trailing arms. If you need, let me know and i will get you the add. Anyway, I like the trailing arms better for the ride. For hauling, not so much. But that is a call you have to make. Good luck.

[my68c20]

The truck rides like a dump truck but has hauled ALOT of junk!!!!!