crossmember swap question

[CB24]

Ok I know this subject has probably been beat to death but I have a question that I can't find an answer for.

I have a 69 c10 with the 4 wheel drum manual brakes. I bought an 87 suburban to do the crossmember swap so I can get the power disc brakes for my truck, the gas tank & the 700r4 transmission.

I'm just about ready to do the swap and am wondering if I can unbolt the entire crossmember as a whole assembly or do I need to remove components to successfully remove the crossmember?

I need to do this swap as quickly as possible because the HOA will flip out if I have a tore down suburban sitting in my driveway.

Any tips or ticks would be greatly appreciated.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by CB24

Ok I know this subject has probably been beat to death but I have a question that I can't find an answer for.

I have a 69 c10 with the 4 wheel drum manual brakes. I bought an 87 suburban to do the crossmember swap so I can get the power disc brakes for my truck, the gas tank & the 700r4 transmission.

I'm just about ready to do the swap and am wondering if I can unbolt the entire crossmember as a whole assembly or do I need to remove components to successfully remove the crossmember?

I need to do this swap as quickly as possible because the HOA will flip out if I have a tore down suburban sitting in my driveway.

Any tips or ticks would be greatly appreciated.

It can be swapped as a unit but the later model c.member has a couple of holes that won't line up 100% which will require lengthening those holes.

[CB24]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

It can be swapped as a unit but the later model c.member has a couple of holes that won't line up 100% which will require lengthening those holes.

Ok so I can leave the rims & tires on with the steering & all? Just unbolt, drop, pull & swap? Sounds simple enough.

Thanks scoti

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by CB24

Ok so I can leave the rims & tires on with the steering & all? Just unbolt, drop, pull & swap? Sounds simple enough.

Sounds simple until you try & manuver that mass of stuff around (do-able, but can be a PITA....). Since I usually rebuild as I go, I leave the factory c.member in & swap the rebuilt stuff over piece by piece.

[CB24]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Sounds simple until you try & manuver that mass of stuff around (do-able, but can be a PITA....). Since I usually rebuild as I go, I leave the factory c.member in & swap the rebuilt stuff over piece by piece.

Will the newer stuff bolt on to the older crossmember? I thought in order to use the newer stuff you had to use the crossmember. If I can just swap the parts & keep the factory crossmember i'd rather do that.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by CB24

Will the newer stuff bolt on to the older crossmember? I thought in order to use the newer stuff you had to use the crossmember. If I can just swap the parts & keep the factory crossmember i'd rather do that.

Yes, the newer stuff will swap right over to the current drum brake crossmember. If you want to use the 'correct' diameter u-bolts to retain the lower a-arm shafts (which I recommend) you need to drill the u-bolt holes out to the larger u-bolt size (I believe they're 1/2" u-bolts on the drum trucks, 9/16" on the disc trucks). The smaller ones can be re-used too & then drilled out once you get things together which will help keep the HOA out of your face.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

If your dealing with the hoa id just unbolt the whole thing and swap it out that was its faster...