67 C20 front disc brake/power steering coversion

[Flat Bar]

I know there are several threads here about front disc brake conversions but I couldn't find what I need to know. I am restoring/making driveable a 67 C20 CST 327 with power assist steering and power brakes. I have a truck for parts, a 72 C20 that I bought in 92 and it has sat in my barn since then. It has power brakes and steering, 350 with a turbo 350. I want to covert the 67 to power disc brakes and the power steering from the 72. What is the easiest/least work way to swap the steering and brakes? I am assuming I will replace the ball joints and control arm bushings and any other rubber components. Both trucks appear to be very original with little or no changes.

So I need to know, what parts to exchange.
Which power brake booster and master cylinder should I use? (most likely need to buy a new/rebuilt one)
I am planning on replacing the rubber hoses and the brake lines with ss lines

Thanks for any help.

[Palf70Step]

Me, I would unbolt the entire front cross member off the 72 and put it on the 67. You may have to dimple the front frame rail on the 67 to clear the newer steering box. The replace all you ball joints and such. Don't forget master cylinder, proportioning valve off the 72 and possibly the brake pedal. To me this makes more sense so that everything on front end is 72 and easier to remember for future parts.

[Steeveedee]

^ Yup. It won't be a mashup of parts from the two eras, like some of the aftermarket kits are.

[Flat Bar]

Hey thanks for the replies. I fully agree that changing the cross member would be the best way to do it. However I am an old guy with over 50 years of work experience/ownership of these trucks and that would take me years to complete. I am working outside with floor jacks. I want to drive the truck this summer and need to do parts exchange that doesn't involve that level of work. I would hire it done but I can't find anyone that does that type of work in my area. If someone on here is in the Dayton Ohio area that would like some work, I can trailer both trucks to you.
So assuming I will be doing this, what is the easiest/quickest path to exchanging parts?

This will be my son's truck in a few years and I don't want to do it poorly. He wants the truck as it looks exactly like his grandfather's 68 C20 which is sitting in the barn with the 72. I drove the 68 for over 40 years in Ohio (every winter, every snow storm) and it is rusted beyond restoring. The 67 is a rustfree California truck. I liked it when I told him we would get the a/c working in the 67 and he replied that grandpa's truck didn't have a/c so he didn't want it in the 67. He is 11 and doesn't know how hot vinyl seats are in the summer time.

[Palf70Step]

Believe it or not, it's not bad doing the swap with the conditions you described. You'll need all the steer linkages from the newer one and having the newer A-arms saves some fabrication. You could do the spindles and linkages, but you'll need to change the brake line position on the a-arm to match the 72. Lots of bolting and unbolting regardless. And yes, the boy needs to know what final feels like in real hot or real cold environments

[Steeveedee]

I think GM went to neoprene bushings at some point. If the '72 has the steel lower control arm bushings, it should be possible to swap them that way. Be advised- the factory torque on the lower a-arm nuts is 260 Ft-Lbs. I used a breaker bar and had my 300 pound son standing on the a-arm.

[May70]

Take a gander here - I will update this if I ever finish lol.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=804757

I have recently decided to cancel my plans for the 67 power assist setup and go with true power steering. Some details on that and which brake lines to buy for the swap are here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=832601



Hope it helps. Let me know if you have questions.