Front crossmember swap?

[motolover]

I have a 1966 gmc 1/2 ton pickup and I am looking for the easiest cost effective way to get disc brakes and power steering. I have heard you can you the front crossmember from a 73-87 pickup, are Van's also the same? And input is much appreciated! Also looking to fit a 454 in but that may be a whole other can of worms!

[DPowers]

FAQ section has all kinds of good info.

[flashed]

Im pretty sure 72 and up cross member is a direct bolt on , I plan to do one in the near future on my 65 shorty Bellsouth truck . The power steering is a little more involved but doable .

[SkinnyG]

'84 'Burb crossmember fit my '61, but I had to drill some holes. And if I'm going to drill holes, I might as well move the crossmember forward 1". Which I did. And section it, too.

[Chevy Fleetside]

You can bolt on later model control arms on the 63 and up trucks. You do not have to swap out the cross member.

[J Williams]

I just completed a swap like this. I have a 63 C10 that I stuck a 78 C10 front crossmember in. Real easy swap, everything but 1 bolt hole on both sides of the frame matched up.

[AcampoDave]

Vans are NOT the same. They have a wider stance both front and rear.

[Clyde65]

73-87 c10, Suburban will work great!

[motolover]

Ok thank you guys for the very useful information I really appreciate it! So Van's wont work but suburbans will? How bout would blazers or Jimmy's?

[Captainfab]

Any 1/2 ton 2wd truck based front suspension will work. So yes a 2wd Blazer or Jimmy will work. Regarding the full size vans, the spindle, rotors and calipers will work on your original control arms with a ball joint swap. The van control arms are basically the same as the C10 truck control arms, but the shafts are weird, with a tube on the outside with rubber in between. At least the set I have from a '85 G10 van are. The van steering box will not work as they are backwards from a truck box even though they look the same.

Installing a big block is not that difficult. I've done it about 28 years ago and many, many others have as well.

I do make the steering box adapter plates as well and many other products.