Control Arms - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigblockc10 · 02-07-2006, 10:35 PM

Maybe you guy's could help?
I have 2 complete front crossmembers 1 disc brakes, 1 drum brakes.
The question is the control arms are they interchangeable?
The brackets that bolt the crossmember to the frame on the drum brake unit the material measures 3/16 thick and on the drum brake unit it measures 1/4 thick what gives, is the disc brake unit thicker due to greater braking forces or is it just simply manufacturing "Tolerance".

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
BigblockC10

bigblockc10 · 02-09-2006, 12:07 AM

Anybody have some answers?

71/454 · 02-09-2006, 02:21 AM

I asked this question a while ago because I'm doing the same swap, but haven't got to it yet. I think the answer was like this. The older drum brake front end uses smaller bolts to hold the control arms where as the newer front end uses larger ones the control arm is the same size so you can either use the old bolts or drill out the holes and use the newer beefier ones. I vote for the latter because to me it adds strength, but it could be a toss up depending on your opinion. I hope that's right please someone else verify this as I'm doing the same swap and want to make sure.

jlmtrout · 02-09-2006, 11:32 AM

The larger bolts were an upgrade by chevy, all new parts from dearler had larger bolts holes. I had drum brakes all around on my '68 long wheelbase. I bought rotors, calipers, spindles, and rear end (5 lug axles). That's all I changed (plus new master cylinder for power brakes and a brake booster). You will also need a longer push rod from brake pedal to master cylinder for power brakes. Hope this helps. It's really a straight forward swap, wish I'd done it years earlier. Good luck and keep on truckin'..........Jerry

02-07-2006, 10:35 PM	#1
bigblockc10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Holland Pa. Posts: 76	Control Arms Maybe you guy's could help? I have 2 complete front crossmembers 1 disc brakes, 1 drum brakes. The question is the control arms are they interchangeable? The brackets that bolt the crossmember to the frame on the drum brake unit the material measures 3/16 thick and on the drum brake unit it measures 1/4 thick what gives, is the disc brake unit thicker due to greater braking forces or is it just simply manufacturing "Tolerance". Any input would be appreciated. Thanks BigblockC10 __________________ 1970 C10 Stepside (soon to be a 68 w/PS/PB/S&W back-half narrowed F**D 9inch w/Discs) 66 427/435 corvette motor (hopefully 871 Blower) 66 M21 4 speed (swapped in a built TH400) 31/16.5/15 Mickeys (soon to be 29.5X18.5X15 MT) 1972 C10 Stepside Pro-Street 1988 bed 3" Top Chop Custom Red Pearl paint w/overlapping Ghost Flames P/S P/W P/B P/DL P/door open Everything Shaved Frenched antenna 461CI BBC BDS Blower 1100 Dynoed HP TH400 Super Heavy Duty Full Back-Half Narrowed 12 Bolt 4:10

02-09-2006, 12:07 AM	#2
bigblockc10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Holland Pa. Posts: 76	Re: Control Arms Anybody have some answers? __________________ 1970 C10 Stepside (soon to be a 68 w/PS/PB/S&W back-half narrowed F**D 9inch w/Discs) 66 427/435 corvette motor (hopefully 871 Blower) 66 M21 4 speed (swapped in a built TH400) 31/16.5/15 Mickeys (soon to be 29.5X18.5X15 MT) 1972 C10 Stepside Pro-Street 1988 bed 3" Top Chop Custom Red Pearl paint w/overlapping Ghost Flames P/S P/W P/B P/DL P/door open Everything Shaved Frenched antenna 461CI BBC BDS Blower 1100 Dynoed HP TH400 Super Heavy Duty Full Back-Half Narrowed 12 Bolt 4:10

02-09-2006, 02:21 AM	#3
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Control Arms I asked this question a while ago because I'm doing the same swap, but haven't got to it yet. I think the answer was like this. The older drum brake front end uses smaller bolts to hold the control arms where as the newer front end uses larger ones the control arm is the same size so you can either use the old bolts or drill out the holes and use the newer beefier ones. I vote for the latter because to me it adds strength, but it could be a toss up depending on your opinion. I hope that's right please someone else verify this as I'm doing the same swap and want to make sure.

02-09-2006, 11:32 AM	#4
jlmtrout Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Memphis, Tn Posts: 194	Re: Control Arms The larger bolts were an upgrade by chevy, all new parts from dearler had larger bolts holes. I had drum brakes all around on my '68 long wheelbase. I bought rotors, calipers, spindles, and rear end (5 lug axles). That's all I changed (plus new master cylinder for power brakes and a brake booster). You will also need a longer push rod from brake pedal to master cylinder for power brakes. Hope this helps. It's really a straight forward swap, wish I'd done it years earlier. Good luck and keep on truckin'..........Jerry __________________ '68 c-10 long wheelbase fleetside, been in family since new, originally 250 3 speed Now (389) 350 .060 over 3.75 stroke,Edelbrock Performer RPM 70cc heads and Intake 600 cfm Edelbrock,Small Comp Cams retro-roller cam and roller rockers,9:1 cr, headers, HEI,Old Air a/c, 72 power disc brakes w/stainless lines, 3.42 gear,T-56 6-speed, original paint(what's left of it). Dakota Digital Dash



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.