Major differences between '70 and '72

[Hardway]

I just want to make sure I am not missing anything here. I know '72s are more desireable due to having front power disc brakes, 5x5 lugs, and a cleaner looking front clip. I am looking at a '70 SWB and I know it has 6 lug wheels with drums all the way around. Can the front suspension be upgraded using '72 drop spindles and '72 brake components? Is there anything else different between the '70 and '72?

[jorgensensc]

There are many small things different between a 70 and a 72, but mainly the disc brakes. And in a word yes, you can easily upgrade the front to disc brakes. You can use the 73-87 front cross members and brakes, as well the 71 and 72 brake parts, spindles, ball joints, etc Hope this helps some.
Shawn

[Hardway]

That helps alot. What are some of the small differences?

[Andy4639]

Door panels are a little differant. You can use 71 chevy truck stuff also they were the first year for Disc brakes. The hoods don't have the bowtie on the 71,72 models just little details as that.


This is what Brother's has to say about it.

1969 and 1970 Chevy trucks differ mainly in having new front end sheet metal. Gone is the sloping hood that was unique to the '67 and '68 trucks, replaced with a version that has a more upright leading edge. The '69 and '70 models are easy to find, and since they lack some of the features introduced in 1971 they are less expensive to buy than the '71 and '72 trucks.

The hood and front fenders interchange between 1969 through 1972 trucks, with the only difference being the mounting holes for the bowtie emblem on the '69 and '70 hoods, which was moved to the inner grille on the '71 and '72 models. Many of the other parts also interchange, except for the wheels on half-tons, and the front brakes.

1971 saw the introduction of front disc brakes on all Chevy light trucks. That year, all half-ton pickups and Suburbans were built with five-lug wheels in a five-inch, "five-on-five" bolt pattern. (This bolt pattern is shared with some GM full-sized cars.) The 1971 and 1972 trucks were given new inner and outer grilles that lacked the center bar used on the '69 and '70 models.

1972 was "the last of the all-steel trucks", since interiors were almost completely covered with plastic starting with the '73 trucks. The trend was for the industry to produce trucks that provided the comfort and luxury found in full-size cars, with power windows being offered for the first time in Chevrolet trucks.

There's no doubt that the trucks that Chevy produced between 1967 and 1972 are classics. Their simplicity, a good supply of original replacement parts and the wealth of reproduction and aftermarket parts for them combine to ensure they will be popular for a long time

.