The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Suspension

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-11-2005, 01:37 PM   #1
Nima
Blue 67
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,179
Do I have to change the cross memeber?

Hi guys:
While I am messing with my interior, I am also gathering info about front suspension and disck brakes. I have read lots of good info here about this common upgrade but one thing that I am confused,still!!, is if I have to change the crossmember. My truck is 67 3/4 ton with drums all around. The quality of ride doesn't bother me much since I don't take it for long ride. I just want to rebuild the front end and switch to disck barke at the same time. I read the articles that I can/should change everything from a-arms all the ways down. Can I just use 1/2 parts without changing crossmember? If not, how about if I upgrade to 73+ model 3/4 ton? Another question now, Is it a big difference in price between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton parts?
All these questions are an effort to avoid to chage the crossmember since to me this exchange is very involved and I am usually working alone. Thanks
Nima is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2005, 06:26 PM   #2
69 longhorn
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: rock island,il,usa
Posts: 5,382
No, you dont need to swap the crossmember, the 3/4 TOP a arms will accept the 1/2 ton balljoints. go 71-72 on the lower arms, if you want to keep the steel bushings. you can then opt for the 73-up 1/2 ton spindles, & steer linkage (all of it)......just remember, that you go for the yr of the donor truck for balljoints , tierod ends ect. crazyL
69 longhorn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2005, 06:40 PM   #3
Nima
Blue 67
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,179
Thanks crazyL. Just a little confusion,Is there any advantage to steel bushing? I mean, can I just use 73+ lower arm too or ih has to be 71-72?
Nima is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2005, 06:45 PM   #4
69 longhorn
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: rock island,il,usa
Posts: 5,382
Steel bushings.....absolutly no squirm)! i think you can use the rubber bushed 73- on 1/2 ton lower arms....you might run that by a couple more guys tho....(havent tryed it ). what I listed is running on my longhorn10,000 + miles. best of luck, 69L
69 longhorn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2005, 10:12 PM   #5
N2TRUX
Happy to be here
 
N2TRUX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,021
Nima I think your looking at the crossmember and letting it scare you. The reason everyone talks about changing it is because it is actually less work. If you drop your old one as a complete assembly it isn't as much work as trying to take it apart piece by piece....
__________________
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com

Articles-

"Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab

"Elwood" the77_Remix

85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

"Refining Sierra"
N2TRUX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2005, 02:52 AM   #6
Nima
Blue 67
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,179
N2TRUX, you are right!. It does scare me becuase I beleive I have to disassemble the engine mounts, support the engine etc. These are the thing that I've not done yet, and considering my space, which is very limitted by the way, and not having help it really scares me. But well, I trust people advise on this board therefore if majority says it's easy, I'll do it that way.
Anyway, thanks for your input.
Nima is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2005, 09:04 AM   #7
Tx Firefighter
Watch out for your cornhole !
 
Tx Firefighter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
All you have to do is put a jack and block of wood under the oil pan when you drop the crossmember. That will hold it up just fine.

Like Trux said, it is much less work to swap the whole thing.

I personally swapped a 1 ton dually front suspension by myself a few weeks ago. Wear gloves and have some blocks of wood. You can do it in a day, on a completely assembled truck, no sweat.
__________________
I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin
Tx Firefighter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2005, 11:49 AM   #8
Nima
Blue 67
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,179
Ok, the way I read the other thrreads here,If I change the whole thing I believe I need to enlarge couple of holes in either side regardless of year model. Is that right? Or does it make any difference if crossmemeber is from 1/2 ton or 3/4 and 73+?

Last edited by Nima; 02-12-2005 at 11:51 AM.
Nima is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2005, 12:03 PM   #9
Tx Firefighter
Watch out for your cornhole !
 
Tx Firefighter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
To get all of the bolts in place, yes, you have to enlongate one hole per side.

Personally, it's a pain with the engine in place, so I'd just leave those 2 bolts out. There are 7 bolts per side, for a total of 14. Two bolts aren't that critical. Twelve is close enough.
__________________
I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin
Tx Firefighter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2005, 08:56 PM   #10
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,700
Nima,... is your new crossmember in good shape? Does it need any new parts? If not swap the whole assembly. BUT,... if you have to tear everything apart to replace bushings, ball joints, etc,... I would leave the original crossmember in there. Just my 2 cents.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2005, 11:18 PM   #11
Nima
Blue 67
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,179
Well,I don't have any new crossmember!. The one on my truck, I am not sure if is original but I believe it is. I am thinking to get a mid 70 truck as donor although i am very limmited spacevise. I am sure whatever I get as donor truck won't have perfect front ends and need some help. That's my debate.
Nima is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2005, 08:29 PM   #12
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,700
If you have to rebuild your "donor" crossmember pieces,... I would just swap ALL the components over to your old crossmember. If you are not,... swap the whole thing.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com