What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tranz am · 04-05-2007, 01:10 PM

I'm currently trying to convert to 5 lug now on my 69 GMC. I was told that I could use all the parts from a 73-87 to accomplish this. What needs to be swapped is the question? Do I need to pull the whole front control arm assembly off, or just the spindles and outward?
On the rear can I just rip the whole axle housing out and bolt it onto the 2.25 springs or do I have to rip it out the springs and use them?
Out of all the 73-87 1/2 ton rearends, what is the strongest and most performance oriented? I will be putting a lot of power to it.

**70C10Toejam** · 04-05-2007, 07:31 PM

You need from the spindles out. Use the donor year ball joints, they fit right into your control arms. Not sure about the tierod ends, yet. I think there may be some issues based on the actual year used.

I'm using an '85 for the donor parts. Waiting for the 6 bolt rotors from CPP, supposed to be here tomorrow.

Check out the FAQ section also.

SCOTI · 04-05-2007, 09:43 PM

The 73-87 a-arms will interchange & have 'better' bushings in that they offer more cushion for the ride vs. the 67-72 rubber-lined steel style.

Make sure your donor truck has the H.D. 1.25" thick rotors & not the L.D. 1" rotors if you plan to re-use the brake stuff. If you're buying new brake stuff & aftermarket spindles, it won't really matter.

Ole Blue 68 · 04-05-2007, 09:47 PM

Responded to your pm Tranzam sorry for not getting back sooner, our server went down at work.

Here's a post from not too long ago.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=73-87+part

There's more, just do an advanced search.

Ole Blue 68 · 04-05-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Make sure your donor truck has the H.D. 1.25" thick rotors & not the L.D. 1" rotors if you plan to re-use the brake stuff. If you're buying new brake stuff & aftermarket spindles, it won't really matter.

If you go for a donor, look for 73-75 or so, they'll have the 1.25.

SacramentoJoe · 04-05-2007, 10:19 PM

Uhm, okay I'm a dork but, isn't 6 better than 5? What are the advantages of the swap?

CG · 04-05-2007, 10:20 PM

Five lug is disk brakes...you can convert to 6 lug disks with aftermarket stuff. Probably cheaper to just swap out the whole front cross member.

SCOTI · 04-05-2007, 10:39 PM

You can also use the 73-78 hard lines & prop valve. They fit the 67-72 frame w/minor tweaking.

tranz am · 04-06-2007, 12:42 AM

Cool thanks for the info. Ive been super busy in the junk yard today. This is all very useful info. Its going to save me a lot of money.
The only thing now is the rear ends. What does it take to swap out the whole unit to a later model. Are the axles interchangeable?

gringoloco · 04-06-2007, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranz am

Cool thanks for the info. Ive been super busy in the junk yard today. This is all very useful info. Its going to save me a lot of money.
The only thing now is the rear ends. What does it take to swap out the whole unit to a later model. Are the axles interchangeable?

Yep. Take 73-87 axles from a 12-bolt. They are about 3/4" longer but will still work fine. You will need to use the HD drums to take up the gap for the brakes.

EDIT: Unless it's a late '70 in which case the axles are the same length.

As for the front: use everything from the a-arms outward. Also take the entire steering linkage so that you are not having to adapt inner/outer tie rods. Steal the power steering box and pump too if you need it. Bolts right up.

-Chris

arkracing · 04-06-2007, 07:31 AM

Not to be a Biotch - but there are a ton of threads about this - do a search!!!!!

That being said - grab everything - A-Arms, Spindles, ALL Steering stuff, PropValve.

The tie-rod ends are differant - so it is just easier to use the entire set-up from the donor

IF you swap the entire crossmember you will need to use '73+ brake hoses (The rubber ones) If you swap parts onto your '67-'72 Crossmember - you will need to use '71-'72 Brake hoses. They will work with the '73+ Calipers but they work better with the '71-'72 Calipers (If you use the '71-'72 Calipers make sure that you have the HD rotors as mentioned before)

SCOTI · 04-06-2007, 11:42 AM

Actually, you can use 73-up hose's even if you just swap parts to your existing crossmember. There were holes already in the frame on my 68 so that's what I did....

tranz am · 04-06-2007, 06:28 PM

Cool thanks for all the good info I willl return to the junk yard this weekend.

04-05-2007, 01:10 PM	#1
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion I'm currently trying to convert to 5 lug now on my 69 GMC. I was told that I could use all the parts from a 73-87 to accomplish this. What needs to be swapped is the question? Do I need to pull the whole front control arm assembly off, or just the spindles and outward? On the rear can I just rip the whole axle housing out and bolt it onto the 2.25 springs or do I have to rip it out the springs and use them? Out of all the 73-87 1/2 ton rearends, what is the strongest and most performance oriented? I will be putting a lot of power to it. __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht

04-05-2007, 07:31 PM	#2
70C10Toejam Hellasick Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Death Moans, IA Posts: 876	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion You need from the spindles out. Use the donor year ball joints, they fit right into your control arms. Not sure about the tierod ends, yet. I think there may be some issues based on the actual year used. I'm using an '85 for the donor parts. Waiting for the 6 bolt rotors from CPP, supposed to be here tomorrow. Check out the FAQ section also. __________________ I keep two MAGNUMS in my desk. One's a gun, and I keep it loaded. The other's a bottle and it keeps ME loaded. I'm Tracer Bullet. (Calvin and Hobbes) This life was a test. It was only a test. If this had been an actual life, you would have received instructions on where to go and what to do. RED meat is not bad for you...FUZZY BLUE/GREEN MEAT is bad for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUILT FORD TOUGH WITH CHEVY STUFF--sticker at Goodguys

04-05-2007, 09:43 PM	#3
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion The 73-87 a-arms will interchange & have 'better' bushings in that they offer more cushion for the ride vs. the 67-72 rubber-lined steel style. Make sure your donor truck has the H.D. 1.25" thick rotors & not the L.D. 1" rotors if you plan to re-use the brake stuff. If you're buying new brake stuff & aftermarket spindles, it won't really matter. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

04-05-2007, 09:47 PM	#4
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion Responded to your pm Tranzam sorry for not getting back sooner, our server went down at work. Here's a post from not too long ago. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=73-87+part There's more, just do an advanced search.

04-05-2007, 10:19 PM	#6
SacramentoJoe Always Fixing Things Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 390	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion Uhm, okay I'm a dork but, isn't 6 better than 5? What are the advantages of the swap? __________________ Just an Average Joe ‘68 GMC 307 3spd – My dad's original truck 310,000 miles

04-05-2007, 10:20 PM	#7
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,035	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion Five lug is disk brakes...you can convert to 6 lug disks with aftermarket stuff. Probably cheaper to just swap out the whole front cross member. Last edited by CG; 04-05-2007 at 10:21 PM.

04-05-2007, 10:39 PM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion You can also use the 73-78 hard lines & prop valve. They fit the 67-72 frame w/minor tweaking. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

04-06-2007, 12:42 AM	#9
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion Cool thanks for the info. Ive been super busy in the junk yard today. This is all very useful info. Its going to save me a lot of money. The only thing now is the rear ends. What does it take to swap out the whole unit to a later model. Are the axles interchangeable? __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht

04-06-2007, 07:31 AM	#11
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion Not to be a Biotch - but there are a ton of threads about this - do a search!!!!! That being said - grab everything - A-Arms, Spindles, ALL Steering stuff, PropValve. The tie-rod ends are differant - so it is just easier to use the entire set-up from the donor IF you swap the entire crossmember you will need to use '73+ brake hoses (The rubber ones) If you swap parts onto your '67-'72 Crossmember - you will need to use '71-'72 Brake hoses. They will work with the '73+ Calipers but they work better with the '71-'72 Calipers (If you use the '71-'72 Calipers make sure that you have the HD rotors as mentioned before) __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered Last edited by arkracing; 04-06-2007 at 07:34 AM.

04-06-2007, 11:42 AM	#12
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion Actually, you can use 73-up hose's even if you just swap parts to your existing crossmember. There were holes already in the frame on my 68 so that's what I did.... __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

04-06-2007, 06:28 PM	#13
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	Re: What Parts do I need from a 73-87 to accomplish 67-72 5 lug conversion Cool thanks for all the good info I willl return to the junk yard this weekend. __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht



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