Front Crossmember Help!

[buildin72]

The front crossmember on my truck(one above the A-Arm hookup), on the passenger side has a small place completely rusted out. I was wondering what i should do about this? Can i just weld a piece of flat stock in its place to stregthen it? What do you guys suggest i do about this?

Thanks for the help.

[Tx Firefighter]

I see a nice 4wd in your avatar, but since you said A-arm, I'm guessing you're working on a 2wd truck?

If so, you can get a crossmember very easily and completely replace yours. It unbolts with 14 bolts from the frame. All of them from 63-70 are the same, and then 71-72 are the same, and then 73-87 are the same. You'd need to get one to match your year for exact swapping.

[dennislbrooks]

A little late for Xmas but I could have dropped you off a complete saddle from TX when we went to Cincy for the holiday. You are talking 2wd correct?

[buildin72]

Yeah guys its a 2wd. I edited my signature yesterday before i posted this question, so you would know what i had, but for some reason it isn't popping up?


Anyway...i just noticed it the other day after i pulled the doghouse off. Didn't have time to look at it real close. So its a bolt on application? Well thats good. So all i need to do is find one for a 63-70 model? Will it have to be from a 1/2 ton frame, or does it matter?

This is gonna be a multi year truck! It will be a 70 frame, with a 71 cab, and 72 doors with the 72 interior differences. And of coarse one of those 72 billet steel plated grills from Paul's.

Thanks for the help guys!

Adam

[dennislbrooks]

if you have the front end off--find a late 80's crossmember --- complete --disc steering and all. -- if you want to stay 6 lug-- there are some other restrictions --- most 3/4's will be 8 lug

[Tx Firefighter]

If you're building a hybrid truck with all different year parts, the crossmember year isn't too important.

Here are the differences:

63-70, the tabs for the brake hoses are on the back side of the crossmember
71-72, the tabs for the brake hoses are on the front side of the crossmember
73-87, the brake hoses don't have tabs at all, they bolt through the frame rails in front of the crossmember.

Also, starting in 71, two of the 14 holes for the crossmember mounting to the frame were slightly moved. All you have to do is bolt the crossmember in by the other 12 holes and slightly enlongate the 2 holes that are off.

If you're going disc brakes, do like Dennis said and get a newer front suspension. The whole deal from hub to hub will work. Also, get the metal brake lines from the master cylinder all the way down to the proportioning valve on the frame and then out to the wheels. All this stuff will bolt right into the earlier trucks without hassle. This gets you disc brakes real cheap.

By the way, you use the pickup front suspension all the way up through 87 model, but Suburbans can be used up through 91 model. The Suburban kept the old body style another 4 years after the pickups changed to the newer style.

[buildin72]

10-4 guys. I think Longhorn Man is gonna try to hook me up with a crossmember. So the a arm set up is the same thru 87? Thats nice to learn. I was planning on running a disk brake conversion with a 4/6 drop. So will any crossmember from a 63-70 work with all the bolt holes aligning up?

Dang, i got an 81 frame laying around,but its a 4x4! If it was only a 2wd, sounds like i would be set up.

Thanks again,
Adam

[buildin72]

Alright guys. I got a hookup to a complete 73-87 front end. The whole 9 yards. I was planning on running a 4/6 drop on my truck. SO i guess when i order my drop.... i have to order a 4" drop in the front for a 73-87?

Thanks

A.Y.

[dennislbrooks]

buildin72, I confess I am not a drop person but yes your front end parts will be 73-87.

[buildin72]

That's what i thought...just makin sure. Boy this ought to confuse an Early Classic sales rep!

A.Y.