HELP!! Is it worth swapping '72 front suspension for '80??

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by gunnersm8

ok im bringing this back up, as i just read some other post about using 3/4 ton upper? i better get my **** in one sock here...
if i get the whole front end, it will go on, for the most part, a couple of holes drilled/oblonged at most right? is that using the 69 x member or the late model? anything special needed?

A cross member from a 73-87 will fit in a 69. You might have to drill a couple holes. Does this answer your question??

[moodybo]

So some one give me a check list for what i would need!please? putting 73-87 rotors in a 72 setup.

Here is another one for yall! What about using the larger 1 1/4" rotors and calpers compaired to the 1"? worth it? I have a pair from a 73 van.

[Tx Firefighter]

The thick 73-87 rotors are a direct swap onto 72 spindles, no mods needed.

[Deuce]

To put 73+up spindles on a 72 front suspension do you need to change 1 or both ball joints(upper and lower) to the 73+ size??

[Tx Firefighter]

Lower ball joint fits 71-87
Upper Ball joint for 71-72 is different than 73 and newer one.

If you go to Moog's website, you can look all of this up and it gives the part numbers for you as well as the years that it fits.

[Tx Firefighter]

Click HERE for the site I'm talking about.

Just enter year, truck, engines size and all of that. Then select steering and suspension. It will list all of the Moog part numbers for your trucks suspension parts. It shows what range of years those parts fit too.

Using that, you can determine exactly what will interchange as far a ball joints, tie rod ends and such when swapping components from different years.

[crazy longhorn]

the outer tierod ends also need to be swapped, if you use a 73-up spindle, on the 71-72 trucks. crazyL

[moodybo]

Is the I.D. of the 71-72 upper ball joint hole the same as the 73-87 upper ball joint hole? I am also wanting to transplant the 73-87 spindles into my 72. i forgot to mention that in my last post. thats what i wanted my check list for. I want them for #1 price for drop spindles are way lower, #2 more common parts. I guess those are usual reasons!right?

[Tx Firefighter]

Yes, the newer style upper ball joints bolt right in place

[moodybo]

Nobody has really said if the heavier duty rotors are overkill or not? ! 1 1/4" vs. 1". What do you think tx firefighter?

[Tx Firefighter]

My 77 Blazer has the thicker ones.

My 83 stepside had the thinner ones.

Neither gave me any trouble at all.

Personally, when starting from scratch, I'll use the thicker ones. More mass dissipates heat better without as much risk of warping or getting hot spots.

Logic tells me to use the biggest brakes that I can.

[moodybo]

"bigger brakes is better" That is the usual way! yes i know that more disc space disapates heat faster. Is the bigger calipers a problem in any way! tire clearance for instance. Is there a market for slotted or drilled 1 1/4 rotors?