changeover no good on a 66

[sandfreek]

I tried changing the lower a-arms , no good the mounting is totally wrong on the 1/2 ton verses the 3/4 ton stuff..... Removed the crossmember and tried the 1/2 ton, no good.... The 1/2 ton is a inch narrower than the 3/4 ton between the rails.... I dont know what you guys are doing to make these things fit but I am pretty pissed about this whole thing.... Everyone is sayin it is so easy to change over but I sure havent had any luck... Ifigured it was a slam dunk but not so much...

[joe231]

first off what is the difference between the arm mounting...many have done the swap with no problems
pics would be helpful. try not to get frustrated(I know it is hard) the knowledge base here can help...

second, on the cross member did you pull out the old one and try to put the new one in?
it is my understanding that the frame flexes and you will probably need to use a ratchet strap or something like it to pull the rails together to put the newer cross member under there

also keep in mind the frame narrows toward the front so if you are measuring make sure you are measuring at the same places on each of them

[Daniel 61 Apache]

I just finished putting a 1986 C20 front crossmember in my 1961 C10......Can you take pictures of your stuff and post them so we can see what doesn't fit?

Here's a pic of mine.



Thats a C20 k-member in a C10. No reason your stuff shouldn't work too.

[sandfreek]

Thanks guys....Sorry Im a idiot when it comes to doin the picture thing.. After havin a few beers and doing some measuring I found that the doner crossmember is bent...I put a level on it and it is way off... I guess thats what you get when your dad gets things for free and have been sitin around for a while.... Its off to pick a part tommorow for another crossmember... I was just there this weekend for the arms, hopefully no one took the crossmember yet...

[Daniel 61 Apache]

Good luck.

If it is gone don't freak out and shoot anybody, okay......

[sandfreek]

I will just wack someone over the head with a hammer!!!!

[jason65]

I put 69c10 lower control arms on my 65c20 cross shafts. No problem. Don't tighten the endcaps all the way. They are something that needs adjusted to get your a arm centerd.

[aggie91]

What exacatly did not fit for the arms to mount to the crossmember?

Wher eyou putting 3/4 ton arms on a 1/2 ton crossmember? I have done this before with no issues. Pictures would help, but maybe a little more detail about what was the issue. Before spending more money and time looking for a crossmember, maybe we can help solve the problem with the parts that you have.

[JAFA]

Sandfreek I have one major question are you working on a Chevy or a GMC?

I am have the same problem with my 66 gmc the lower arm dont mount the same as my donor 91 suburban. Unlike chevy that change in 63 gmc did not. I believe they changed in 67. My lower arms mount up the same way as a 60 - 62 chevy. What I'm doing is using a ball joint reemer to reem out the sapindles to fit the big ball joint from the 66 and using the spindles and upper from the 91 suburban. I also checked the crossmember and it doesn't fit.

[sandfreek]

Thanks guys, its a 3/4 ton 66 chevy and I am changing it over to 1/2 ton suspension w/ disc brakes....The lower 3/4 ton arm is flat where it mounts to the crossmember the 1/2 ton is round with craddles to support the arm... The bolt pattern for the lower arms is totally different, would have to oblong the holes way to much to work.... My dad had a complete crossmember w/ arms and everything he got from a friend years ago and it seems to be bent... Not sure of the year but I think its from 73 and up (5on5 bolt pattern)... Sorry but I dont know how to do the picture thing....