67swb build

[kanuck]

well time to make some decisions on which way to go.....I think I found the parts needed to do what I want, but need some advice. I found a private junk yard here locally, (2 brothers 20 year 10 acre back yard collection of a hundred or so vehicles) and they have about 12 '67 to '72 trucks laying around with very little sheetmetal left any good, but lots of other pieces. I found two trucks with 5 lug disc brake set ups and a six lug truck with power steering intact. Also a '79 heavy half swb with complete front suspension intact and 4-5 lug wide rally rims with some trim left on them.
So the questions are for up grading my 1967:

1) Use the spindles and A arm from the 71/72 truck to get disc brakes or use the complete cross member from the '79? End up with 5 lug front both ways. If I understand correctly I need to use the A arms and spindle from the '71/'72 but they will bolt onto the '67 directly?

2) I presume I should take the power brake booster from the donor truck and add a new master cylinder, but will this bolt directly onto my '67 fire wall?

3) Can I just change axles in the rear to complete my conversion to 5 lug at the rear? Has standard truck 12 bolt with 6 lug in now.

4)Do I have to do some modification on frame rail of my '67 non power steering truck to add the power steering box off of a '68/'69 six lug truck, and can I keep my same steering column or is it worth while to up grade the column as well?

I do plan on buying new rotors, calipers and brake lines to complete the conversions and have a reliable system.
Is there anything that I have forgotten about or that anyone can suggest?

Thanks for any info...Hagen

[Joe67]

3) Can I just change axles in the rear to complete my conversion to 5 lug at the rear? Has standard truck 12 bolt with 6 lug in now.

I believe the axle housing for for the 67-69 and 70-72 trucks are different lengths.

Maybe swap the entire rear end assembly and be done with it

[chevy_fatman]

Answers to your ????

1) Just use the crossmember from the '79, since you plan on buying new rotors, calipers and brake lines parts are cheaper and easier to get at your local auto parts, my '67 has a front crossmember and suspension from a '84

2) the booster will bolt up to your firewall, I *think* the rod that connects to the pedal is different lenght, don't hold me to that.

3) 67c10step pretty much siad it, some rear ends are different lenght, can't remember exactly what years are.

4) If your frame has a dimple for the steering box, then the box is a bolt on deal, if it has no dimple, then your can heat the frame and make the dimple yourself.

[kanuck]

that seems to help make the decision to go with the newer cross member idea. It does bring up a couple of other questions that should be easy to answer:
1) do all the 5 lug rims from '71 to now use the same pattern? I need to get some nicer rims for my truck and there seems to be quite a few newer used factory rims availible for reasonable. (even some 17" ones)

2)Is there a difference with the turning ratios on different steering boxes, and do the 73 and newer boxes fit on a '67 frame?

3)Do I have to modify or change anything on the steering column to add power steering to a manual steer '67 truck?

Thanks for the info.....Hagen

[chops333]

no 1 yes gm truck no two yes and yes no 3 i dont know

[kanuck]

If newer steering boxes fit the '67-'72 frame, then it seems to make sense to get as new as a box as possible. Up to what year of truck can I use a box from, and are there some boxes that are better than others a for ratio and such?

Hagen

[northcountry67]

I do know that the gear box from a 73-87 will fit if you notch out a small piece of the flange where the radiator core support bolts to the frame. I do not know if there were any difference in ratios though.

[67 cst swb]

You said there are a few 67-72 out there... If there is a 71-72 2wd. use that rearend it will work perfectly.

[krue]

If you feel like doing a little reading, go to the FAQ Submissions page and click on my Index thread. There are links to many articles covering all these upgrades (and a few you prbly haven't thought of yet ). Here's a link to get you started.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669

Happy reading.

[kanuck]

Thanks for the list Krue, I did look at that a while ago, but two things not in there are the cross member swap and a steering box swap section. Might be two things to add to the list. I did read about using '71/'72 components to upgrade to discs, which would be my other option if I don't go with the cross member.
I did ask once but did not seem to get an answer if any one knew, but does anyone know if any of the components from a 73/87 chev full size van work?
(Disc,calipers, control arms????). I ask this because I was given a '81 Beauville with a rebuilt motor that had a minor front end crash, but most of it is complete. The rear end looks to be the same type, but with 5 lugs. May have to measure the length to see if axles are same. Does have nice tilt column with key still in dash.

Hagen

[VetteVet]

I haven't figured out why yet but my 67swb has a power steering box mounted on it and there is no dimple in the frame. It was on there when I bought it and the PO is a good friend and he swears he never had any trouble with the steering. There are no spacers between the frame and the box either.