What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mahanian · 01-11-2011, 03:15 AM

Other than the getting disc brakes, is there any benefit to swapping the crossmember off of a 73-87?

peglegs · 01-11-2011, 03:48 AM

mahanian i purchased a 74 fr.end/cradle for my 67, i would say convience of having it out to tear down & reasemble & working on it when u want with minimum down time in my case. also i gained a sway bar that my 67 doesnt have

PanelDeland · 01-11-2011, 07:04 AM

Parts are cheaper.

Tim G · 01-11-2011, 07:11 AM

I have a 67 Chevy I am restoring for my daughter. I used a 76 with the power stearing and brakes. It works great. It has a 350 Turbo and a chromed up 250 6. I'm doing a complete frame up.

hugger6933 · 01-11-2011, 10:36 AM

I think in my case the benifit is that I can put in a big block without having to buy special motor mounts. Jim

mahanian · 01-11-2011, 10:49 AM

Those are all good reasons, what are the differences in parts compared to a 71/72 crossmember? Are the control arms the same length? I know the 73-87 balljoints are different. I have a 72 crossmember that I was going to install on my 67 and I'm trying to figure out if there is a reason to buy a 73-87 instead?

**Zeke's Garage** · 01-11-2011, 11:20 AM

If you have a '72 crossmember just use that one. Some folks like that the 73-87 xmembers have rubber bushings for the a-arms as opposed to the screw in solid ones on the earlier trucks.

I've just found that if you've got a 67-70 truck, it's easier to swap in a completely new xmember so that you can just get parts for a single year if you are doing replacements down the road.

treveiger · 01-11-2011, 03:08 PM

interested to

peglegs · 01-11-2011, 03:34 PM

im rebuilding a 74 for my 67 prior comments here suggest that the parts are cheaper but this far into it im faced with the cost/decision of pressing off the A arm shaft bushings and have posted the problem here
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=439872
in hopes of keeping my costs down the problem/costs of pressing out & having them reinstalled are not mentioned in a few posts i read but still would go this way again.

Deaol · 01-11-2011, 03:38 PM

Ive done it both ways, the 73+ xmember swap was very straight forward with the exception of some minor drilling. I also have done the 6bolt 88+ 2500 swap with the 3/4 ton lower a-arms and I must say I vote this route if you can swing it and want to maintain a 6bolt front with over the counter parts.. the ride difference between the a-arm bushings (steel vs rubber) was not noticeable for me.. I ran stock height so could be some of the reason.

01-11-2011, 03:15 AM	#1
mahanian C10 addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,432	What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? Other than the getting disc brakes, is there any benefit to swapping the crossmember off of a 73-87?

01-11-2011, 03:48 AM	#2
peglegs Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: grants pass, oregon Posts: 390	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? mahanian i purchased a 74 fr.end/cradle for my 67, i would say convience of having it out to tear down & reasemble & working on it when u want with minimum down time in my case. also i gained a sway bar that my 67 doesnt have __________________ 1990 chevy 4x4 with a 1940 IHC body

01-11-2011, 07:04 AM	#3
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? Parts are cheaper. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-11-2011, 07:11 AM	#4
Tim G Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cozad NE Posts: 3	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? I have a 67 Chevy I am restoring for my daughter. I used a 76 with the power stearing and brakes. It works great. It has a 350 Turbo and a chromed up 250 6. I'm doing a complete frame up.

01-11-2011, 10:36 AM	#5
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? I think in my case the benifit is that I can put in a big block without having to buy special motor mounts. Jim

01-11-2011, 10:49 AM	#6
mahanian C10 addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,432	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? Those are all good reasons, what are the differences in parts compared to a 71/72 crossmember? Are the control arms the same length? I know the 73-87 balljoints are different. I have a 72 crossmember that I was going to install on my 67 and I'm trying to figure out if there is a reason to buy a 73-87 instead?

01-11-2011, 11:20 AM	#7
Zeke's Garage Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 288	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? If you have a '72 crossmember just use that one. Some folks like that the 73-87 xmembers have rubber bushings for the a-arms as opposed to the screw in solid ones on the earlier trucks. I've just found that if you've got a 67-70 truck, it's easier to swap in a completely new xmember so that you can just get parts for a single year if you are doing replacements down the road.

01-11-2011, 03:08 PM	#8
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? interested to __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)

01-11-2011, 03:34 PM	#9
peglegs Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: grants pass, oregon Posts: 390	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? im rebuilding a 74 for my 67 prior comments here suggest that the parts are cheaper but this far into it im faced with the cost/decision of pressing off the A arm shaft bushings and have posted the problem here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=439872 in hopes of keeping my costs down the problem/costs of pressing out & having them reinstalled are not mentioned in a few posts i read but still would go this way again. __________________ 1990 chevy 4x4 with a 1940 IHC body

01-11-2011, 03:38 PM	#10
Deaol Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: N. Vancouver Island Posts: 122	Re: What are the benefits of a 73-87 crossmember swap? Ive done it both ways, the 73+ xmember swap was very straight forward with the exception of some minor drilling. I also have done the 6bolt 88+ 2500 swap with the 3/4 ton lower a-arms and I must say I vote this route if you can swing it and want to maintain a 6bolt front with over the counter parts.. the ride difference between the a-arm bushings (steel vs rubber) was not noticeable for me.. I ran stock height so could be some of the reason. __________________ * 1968 GMC Swb - 98% done (current restoration) * 1971 Chevy Lwb - Retired Dump Hauler * 1982 K10 Longbox - New Dump Hauler



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