C20 Front disc conversion: swap or kit??

[Scottcoda]

I have been hunting a frontend cross member for sometime so that I can do a front disc conversion on my 68, I found one on craigslist for $200.00 but it is over 6 hours one way from my house. I am still considering doing it b/c in my area there is no pic-a-parts and I have never seen/found any 71-72 c20/30's being parted out in my area.
The fuel for my diesel would be $190.00 for the 12.5 hour roundtrip now making the the cost almost $400.00
Would I be better off doing a conversion kit from performanceonline.com for $1044.47 shipped to my house??
Is the extra $500.00 cost and 12 hours of travel time worth the kit??
Is there any advantages or disadvantages to doing the swap over the conversion??

Thanks for any input and advice...Scott

P.S see link for the kit I am considering and see pic below of the actual front end I am thinking to buy. https://www.performanceonline.com/ca...?mode=checkout

[DaHos]

Might have a better chance of finding a 73-87 3/4 Ton and using that......(Mainly need the spindles and center link) All other parts could then be sourced from the local parts store ....Save a ton of $$$$$

[lolife99]

What USED parts off of a donor truck do you want to use again?

I would buy a set of C20 spindles from POL and buy the rest from your local auto parts store.
We're talking brakes.
Hoses, calipers, rotors, bearings, etc. need to be new in my opinion.

Add a 71-72 M/C and prop valve (or aftermarket prop valve).
Bend up some new lines to connect to your existing lines.
Done.

[Scottcoda]

Thanks for the input,, I was able to find a front end from a 1987 chevy 3/4 ton
2wd suburban that the owner will sell to me for 150 bucks, everything between the front tires is included and is just an hour from my job. I think from what I read this should work, I will do some more research on this site to see what I can find. But in the mean time any advice or suggestions as to what to look for or what I can do to make my life easier with this swap will be greatly appreciated.. thanks guys

[Scottcoda]

Originally Posted by lolife99

What USED parts off of a donor truck do you want to use again?

I would buy a set of C20 spindles from POL and buy the rest from your local auto parts store.
We're talking brakes.
Hoses, calipers, rotors, bearings, etc. need to be new in my opinion.

Add a 71-72 M/C and prop valve (or aftermarket prop valve).
Bend up some new lines to connect to your existing lines.
Done.

Thanks for the response.. I found a decent 87 2wd 3/4 ton suburban cross member for 150 bucks which seems like a good deal, I was curious if the preferred/"easier" method would be to rebuild the donor front end, new ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends etc etc then do a direct swap or keep the original cross member and replace everything else out??
also if I did a swap would I need to remove my motor?? (inline 6)

what M/C would I get?? (proportion valve would be replaced with aftermarket) a 87 burb one or a different master cylinder??
and one last question?? I think the donor cross member has a steering box included, Could I some how use this to obtain power steering? I have all the parts needed to do a power steering conversion as the truck sits right now from the pitman arm to the power steering pump (pullys brackets hoses everything etc) the only reason I have not done it yet was because I wanted to do the disc conversion first. I am wondering if the cross member swap would change what power steering box I would use.. Thanks again for any info you could lay on me and sorry for all the questions..

[lolife99]

Most of your answered are in this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

Find the one that matches what you are doing.
I know yours is a C20,... but the basic info applies.

[lolife99]

From your donor purchase I would re-use"
Spindles
Dust shields
steering centerlink.
All other parts would be new.

Buy a 71-72 M/C.

Use your original crossmember.
Rebuild the 73-87 a-arms.
Use 73-87 NEW tie rods.
Use 73-87 power steering.

[Scottcoda]

Originally Posted by lolife99

From your donor purchase I would re-use"
Spindles
Dust shields
steering centerlink.
All other parts would be new.

Buy a 71-72 M/C.

Use your original crossmember.
Rebuild the 73-87 a-arms.
Use 73-87 NEW tie rods.
Use 73-87 power steering.

Thanks for all the help!!