72 idler arm bracket on a 65 frame???

[Alan's Classic]

I have a 65 c10 frame that I'm putting a 72 complete front suspension and power steering. The question is how to locate the 72 idler arm bracket on the 65. My thoughts are to make sure it is level with everything (gearbox)centered and make sure it is perpendicular to the frame.

Here is my 65 frame on top with the location of the old idler arm bracket location the best that I can tell (bolt marks). Why is the 72 frame location at a different angle? I have my ideas, but want to see what ya'll have to say. The 72 also has raised dimples. Do I need to space the bracket off of the 65 frame to duplicate the 72.



72 idler arm bracket



65 bracket with a spacer at the bottom mount hole.



Thanks for any help

[aggie91]

Why not just use the stock '65 idler arm and center link?

I swapped in a early 80's front suspension (I just used the spindles and brakes along with tie rod adjuster sleeves from Fatman Fabrication)

Just asking...I did not see a benifit to going to all that work to make the newer idler arm work...

[Alan's Classic]

As usual I didn't do enough research. I did notice the idler was different when I got the 72 frame over a year ago. I thought I could just locate the idler braket and drill. I figured since I'm using the PS pump why not use everything. I bought all of my parts to rebuild a 72. I've had the parts for over a year and now they are painted. I got on advanceauto.com to compare part #'s for a drivers inner tie rod just to see if there is a difference between the 65 and 72 parts and of coarse there was. Hind sight is 20/20. Other than the idler arm bracket I don't foresee any other problems. Since the inner tie rod part numbers are different I can't use my 65 center link. I don't know what the differences are. I will look and compare them soon.

[TimE]

There was someone on the 60-66 board that did this swap on a 63 (iirc) and showed pics. Don't recall who it was but I'll look and see if I can find it.

[TimE]

It was poorboy's build that I was thinking about but here's a link to a thread with some info on this swap. Hope this helps!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=286362

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by TimE

It was poorboy's build that I was thinking about but here's a link to a thread with some info on this swap. Hope this helps!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=286362

Thanks Tim, I knew I've seen it somewhere just couldn't remember where and a search didn't find it. Again Thanks for the link.

I've attached some pix for comparison between the 72 (black) and 65 (rusty)