Front Crossmember Swap? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevykevy · 04-04-2006, 02:11 PM

I'm gettint the front crossmember from a 71 or 72 with disc brakes to put on my 68. Will I encounter any trouble with the swap? Do all the holes in the frame match up ? Etc/ Thanks for any help

**dennislbrooks** · 04-04-2006, 03:39 PM

From my experience and backed up by what I have read on this forum--it all lines up with no problems.

Tx Firefighter · 04-04-2006, 05:51 PM

The crossmember is held to the frame by 14 bolts. 12 of them will line up perfectly. The remaining two are about 1/2 holes width off. Just bolt in the first 12 to get it in and aligned properly and enlongate the last 2 holes with a grinder till the bolts will screw in.

I've even done the swap and just used the 12 bolts and not worried about the remaining two.

**dennislbrooks** · 04-04-2006, 06:20 PM

Hey TX--I thot the holes were off only for 73 up. I put a 72 on mine and I at least thot all holes lined up. I could have left out 2 I suppose.

Tx Firefighter · 04-04-2006, 06:31 PM

I built a dually last year. Matt67350 owns it now.

Anyway, I used a 68 model chassis (drum brake of course) and swapped a 72 model front suspension onto it to get disc brakes. The two holes didn't align on that truck. Come to think of it, I think I just left the two bolts out and didn't bother messing with it at the time. I better send Matt a PM and tell him he's likely missing 2 crossmember bolts.

Solver · 04-04-2006, 06:48 PM

been there too Tx
I did a 72 crossmember on an early 68 frame last fall and had same situation. 2 holes were off just enough for the bolts not to go in. did the rest then just widen the last 2 holes alittle with drill and then poped them in.

**dennislbrooks** · 04-04-2006, 07:11 PM

ChevyKevy -- it must not hurt to leave out the 2 bolts but I would make them work. Otherwise this is a bolt in.

chevykevy · 04-05-2006, 11:14 AM

Thanks everybody for all the help

04-04-2006, 02:11 PM	#1
chevykevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wyoming Posts: 641	Front Crossmember Swap? I'm gettint the front crossmember from a 71 or 72 with disc brakes to put on my 68. Will I encounter any trouble with the swap? Do all the holes in the frame match up ? Etc/ Thanks for any help

04-04-2006, 03:39 PM	#2
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	Re: Front Crossmember Swap? From my experience and backed up by what I have read on this forum--it all lines up with no problems. Last edited by dennislbrooks; 04-04-2006 at 03:39 PM.

04-04-2006, 05:51 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Front Crossmember Swap? The crossmember is held to the frame by 14 bolts. 12 of them will line up perfectly. The remaining two are about 1/2 holes width off. Just bolt in the first 12 to get it in and aligned properly and enlongate the last 2 holes with a grinder till the bolts will screw in. I've even done the swap and just used the 12 bolts and not worried about the remaining two. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-04-2006, 06:20 PM	#4
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	Re: Front Crossmember Swap? Hey TX--I thot the holes were off only for 73 up. I put a 72 on mine and I at least thot all holes lined up. I could have left out 2 I suppose.

04-04-2006, 06:31 PM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Front Crossmember Swap? I built a dually last year. Matt67350 owns it now. Anyway, I used a 68 model chassis (drum brake of course) and swapped a 72 model front suspension onto it to get disc brakes. The two holes didn't align on that truck. Come to think of it, I think I just left the two bolts out and didn't bother messing with it at the time. I better send Matt a PM and tell him he's likely missing 2 crossmember bolts. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-04-2006, 06:48 PM	#6
Solver Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Storm Lake, Ia Posts: 1,449	Re: Front Crossmember Swap? been there too Tx I did a 72 crossmember on an early 68 frame last fall and had same situation. 2 holes were off just enough for the bolts not to go in. did the rest then just widen the last 2 holes alittle with drill and then poped them in. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 LWB-Blue 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Black 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Red 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-green 1972 GMC 4x4 LWB-White 1971 Cheyenne 10 LWB-Ochre 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Copper 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Black 1969 Custom 10 LWB-lt blue 1968 GMC 3/4 ton-green 1968 1/2 ton swb stepside-silver 1967 Chevrolet CST 10 LWB-green 1967 Chevrolet custom 20 LWB-Maroon

04-04-2006, 07:11 PM	#7
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	Re: Front Crossmember Swap? ChevyKevy -- it must not hurt to leave out the 2 bolts but I would make them work. Otherwise this is a bolt in.

04-05-2006, 11:14 AM	#8
chevykevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wyoming Posts: 641	Re: Front Crossmember Swap? Thanks everybody for all the help



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