73+ front end conversion

[snacob14]

So I read in thetech section that if you can find a 73 and two wheel drive front crossmember, you can basically bolt on disks nad power brakes and all that good stuff from that year truck. Is this true? Many people talk about conversion kits from other companies, but if this is such an easy swap, why not just do this.

I'm very interested in getting disks up front and power brakes and steering. If this is an option I would like to know because I can get access to this type of stuff. any input would be greatly appreciated.

[72CSTC5]

Yes this is true. 73-87 front crossmembers will bolt right to your truck. You have to redrill one hole.

[snacob14]

are their any width differences or anything else I should concern myself with, other than the lug difference

[72CSTC5]

Nope, same width. Bolt away.

[RSRXION]

Actually you don't even have to change the crossmember. Just use the upper and lower control arms ,spindles , rotors etc... You'll also use all of the tie rod ends, pitman, idler and drag link.

Take the springs out, bolt the uppers and lowers in place , compress the springs and re-bolt the spindle assemblys. On the lowers you'll need to use your old U-bolts that hold them to the crossmember.

This is a ridiculously easy swap that can easily be completed in an afternoon. The only difficulty I found on my 67 was that I had to put a couple of small spacers between the frame and the power steering box from the 1980 ( I think ) donor truck. Be sure to clock your steering box and column correctly so that your steering wheel lines up.

Good luck, Dean

[jodydewey]

Could you post some pictures of your suspension with the spacers and all? I am really interested in doing this conversion myself!

[LockDoc]

Jody,

Here are a couple of pictures of the holes you have to modify to bolt the complete later crossmember in. As far as the later power steering box it will bolt right in unless you have a '67 frame as RSRXION said.

LockDoc

[ThatOneBlue67]

Questions if I may....

does the brake booster bolt right up to a 1967 firewall or do I have to drill new holes too? Will my old non-power master cylinder work w/ the "new" booster? What is the likeliness that it would all still work if they were junkyard parts? (I'm cheap)

[RSRXION]

I don't know about the booster bolting to the firewall, but I don't believe your master cylinder will work. I know for sure that you'll need the proportioning valve from the disc brake donor truck. I'd be willing to take a chance on used parts if you can find a truck that is a recent crash and was obviously running and driving in recent months/years. JMHO, Dean

[trkklr77]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Jody,

Here are a couple of pictures of the holes you have to modify to bolt the complete later crossmember in. As far as the later power steering box it will bolt right in unless you have a '67 frame as RSRXION said.

LockDoc

you have to drill the hole in the first pic, but you have a choice. you can drill the a new hole in the frame or a new hole in the arm plate. either way super simple.

I did not have to do the second pic mod though.

[snacob14]

so could I use an 85 front end then, or is that too new

[trkklr77]

yes you can

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by snacob14

so could I use an 85 front end then, or is that too new

87 on trucks and 91 on Burbs...

[blacktruck]

great info guys. this way you can also use the later motor mounts instead of the earlier type v8 mounts, and the trans x/member from a later truck. which is great.

[trkklr77]

i dont know what about the susp swap changes the tranny mount but i just cut the up rights off that went to the top of the frame rail and that made life alot easier moving things around.

[53burb]

I didn't have to drill any new holes on my swap. The hole shown in the pic on mine was already there. This wasn't used when it was on the donor truck. The hole that needed to be enlarged, does need to be enlarged, if you want to use it. I decided not use it, as many people have decided not to use it as well...I guess the older trucks pre-80(maybe) still had that hole. Can I use the "new" motor mounts with the existing tranny x-member w/o moving it???

[trkklr77]

i used the 73+ motor mounts for my swap BUT!!! i wound up having to move my tranny cross back 1 inch. you can use the old style and it should all line up but you will have the old weaker style motor mounts.

you can redrill the frame and cross 1" forward and have the best of both worlds, it just means 8 holes to drill.


somewher around here are my detail pics of my swap but i cant find them, seach my name and look.

[trkklr77]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=209246

[Imacarguytoo]

I would assume this will work on a 67 3/4 2wd frame. Im wanting to convert the truck to a half ton? Are there any issues with the brake booster to adapt the brake pedal?

Thanks

[PanelDeland]

One of your questions was why everyone did not do this swap since it is fairly simple.Most of the time it is due to the fact that they want to lower their truck also.It is better to lower with spindles than springs.(Not as many issues with alignment)Also if you get the donor parts from a truck with a sway bar pick that up also.It will work and help the handling of your truck.

[trkklr77]

Originally Posted by Imacarguytoo

I would assume this will work on a 67 3/4 2wd frame. Im wanting to convert the truck to a half ton? Are there any issues with the brake booster to adapt the brake pedal?

Thanks

i dont understand what about this swap changes the booster and pedal.

leave the one on your truck and bolt everything on.

[trkklr77]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

One of your questions was why everyone did not do this swap since it is fairly simple.Most of the time it is due to the fact that they want to lower their truck also.It is better to lower with spindles than springs.(Not as many issues with alignment)Also if you get the donor parts from a truck with a sway bar pick that up also.It will work and help the handling of your truck.

you can get rop spindles for the 73+ stuff, you just have to remember that when you order your parts.

what really kicks ass is that even the sway bar mounts that are rivited to the frame will work with the 67-72 frames.

also you can only get 5lug with this swap, alot of people want to keep their 6 lug, or like me prefer the 6lug look.

[mtndewmaniac66]

Originally Posted by trkklr77

also you can only get 5lug with this swap, alot of people want to keep their 6 lug, or like me prefer the 6lug look.

......which is so far the only reason that I haven't done this swap yet. But I have been looking at various vendors for Disc brake/spindle drop swaps, and it will cost about the same as that of an original replacement. I am cheap also, but when it comes to brakes, I will not spare the expense for a good quality set of parts.

[tcsanadi]

I bolted on a 76 Brake Booster and master cylinder, on my 68 C10, had to have someone weld the brake push rod, half new half from the old but it works great.

[Parkerkl]

is this swap just as easy for the 4x4 models, would like discs up front for my 68 k20