I ran into a problem with my 62' c10 coil spring/disc brake swap.

[Triple6Goat]

I have a 62' c10 that came with torsion bars and drums on the front. I was told that the front suspension and cross member from a 1972 c10 would bolt right up, but I guess I was told wrong. The holes where the 72' crossmember bolts to the frame are different and I would have to do some modification to make it work, but I dont want to do that at all
My question is will the 72' upper and lower control arms fit onto the 62' front crossmember? If so then this will make my life so much easier.

Please input your $0.02

[Captainfab]

No the control arms won't bolt up to your crossmember.....they will on a '63 and newer though. Swapping the '71-'87 front suspension crossmembers into a '60-'62 is a bit more involved than doing it in a '63 and up truck. More hole drilling mainly as I understand it.....I've not done one of the early ones myself.
I'm sure someone that has done it will chime in here and help you out. Good luck.

[Imperial Kustom]

That's right! Contrary to popular belief, the coil spring front ends DO NOT bolt right in to the '62 and earlier frames. Only one hole per side will line up on the bottom of the frame. Put some bolts in these and use the others as a guide to enlarge the holes in the cross member. It is also easiest to drill the threads out of the weld-nuts on the sides of the new cross member. Then simply run longer bolts and some nuts. Also, the early frames are ONE INCH SHORTER than the '63 and newer, so new holes for the side motor mounts will have to be drilled in the cross member as well as the holes that will have to be added to the frame rails. Or, if using a '73 and up cross member, you can retain the clamshell mounts from the donor truck. I can't find any pics showing the bolt config, but it's not all that bad to conquer.

[markeb01]

The following link may help. It has photos from when I did my 1960 GMC many years ago. Good luck.

http://sixty7ss.proboards.com/index....lay&thread=633

[Triple6Goat]

Originally Posted by markeb01

The following link may help. It has photos from when I did my 1960 GMC many years ago. Good luck.

http://sixty7ss.proboards.com/index....lay&thread=633

Thanks for the link and the info. Which bottom bolt lined up exactly out of the three? Front most, middle or rear most?Also I was planning on using the 62' idler arm on the truck and the 72' pitman arm on the 62' steering box, will this work? I have both center links from the 62' and 72' so I guess I could just play around with the steering once I get the cross member bolted in.

[markeb01]

I'm sorry to say I don't remember which bottom bolt lined up. It was too many years ago and about 18 degrees in the garage at the time so I didn't take enough pictures. I installed the new suspension as a complete assembly, and double checked the location by having marked the centerline of the axle on the floor and fender before I pulled the original out.

Looking back at the pictures, I believe it was the upper rear hole on the side that lined up, although it did require slotting upward since the earlier frame is 1" less tall than the later frame.

If you're not upgrading to power steering, you're probably better off just keeping all the 62 steering linkage from pitman arm, rod ends, center link and idler arm. A quick check of Napa Auto Parts shows the pitman arm is a different part number for 62 -72. I'm assuming the newer arm "probably" won't fit on the 62 box. The later tie rod end/drag link threads are larger, and if you mix/match you'll need the conversion parts from someone like CPP, which adds to the cost.

If/when you upgrade to power steering, it seems smart to change all the linkage to the later version, mainly due to cost, but also because the later tie rod ends and idler arm are bigger/stronger and far less expensive.

[Imperial Kustom]

It is the front hole if I remember correctly. I has been many moons since I have last done this swap though!

[jkaylor68gmc]

yes it is the front hole, I did the swap last week. You also have to mount the box and idler arm.

[Triple6Goat]

Originally Posted by jkaylor68gmc

yes it is the front hole, I did the swap last week. You also have to mount the box and idler arm.

Front hole got it. What do you mean by "you have to mount the box and the idler arm"?

Im going to use the 62' idler and 62' steering box hopefully with a 72' pitman arm.
OR!
If one one you kind gentalmen can give me some measurements of where to drill the holes for a 72' idler arm that that would be a huge help and all I would have to worry about is the steering box and pitman arm.