Front suspension rebuild or replace

[sportfish69]

I have a 69 gmc stepside and I am wondering if I should rebuild the original suspension or replace it with a newer model. I am upgrading to a V8 engine and want to put disc brakes on the front. New cross member from 90 suburban is available. Help please. What direction should I go?
If I go with original equipment I will replace brake booster and MC with after market kit with new spindles calipers and rotors.
If I replace I would want to use the BB and MC from the donar along with power steering gearbox. Might we able to use donar rotors and calipers but probably go new.
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[tmc1986]

depends on if you want to lower/lift it. http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog....gory=Drop+Kits i just put the ECE 4/6 drop with 2.5 drop spindles and 6lug disc brakes. i also threw on their power brake booster. you can get their spindles at stock height and then just add the disc brake conversion kit, new coils, sway bar if you want. might as well throw some tie rod ends and ball joints in while you are there. i did all this and it rides and brakes really really good now. i definitely recommend it. just my opinion though, there are loads of disc brake conversion kits out there. good luck

[Vova]

Are you doing front and rear disks? Are you planning to use drop spindles?
If you are it's cheaper to go new. I found a vender the sells front and rear disks, booster/master, and drop spindles for $1k.
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[leftybass209]

You won't gain much with the 90 cross member other than discs. Rebuilding will give you a cheaper and just as comfortable ride. If you are going extreme, there's always drop members, tubular A arms and rack and pinion steering. Just figure out what you want from your truck, and your budget.
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[sportfish69]

I will not be going to the extreme. I want to drop the front 2-1/2" and the rear 4".
I am leaning towards drop spindles on the front and drop springs on the rear (trailing arms).
I will convert to disc brakes on front and rebuild drums on rear. Also will add power brakes.
Sounds like my best option it to use the original equipment.

[sportfish69]

Originally Posted by Vova

Are you doing front and rear disks? Are you planning to use drop spindles?
If you are it's cheaper to go new. I found a vender the sells front and rear disks, booster/master, and drop spindles for $1k.
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Who is your vendor? I would like to get pricing.

[Tx Firefighter]

Your cheapest route would be to rebuild the 90 Suburban stuff.

Here's why....

-control arm bushings are cheaper for the rubber bushing type than the steel early type
-you'll save money since you can harvest the disc brake parts from the donor
-the factory 90 Suburban brake lines and hoses will bolt into your truck and fit better than anything you can make or buy aftermarket
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[68shortstep]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Your cheapest route would be to rebuild the 90 Suburban stuff.

Here's why....

-control arm bushings are cheaper for the rubber bushing type than the steel early type
-you'll save money since you can harvest the disc brake parts from the donor
-the factory 90 Suburban brake lines and hoses will bolt into your truck and fit better than anything you can make or buy aftermarket
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What he said !!!!

Here's a stock height, all rebuilt Suburban crossmember under what was a 6-cyl '68 stepper. Used the 350 V-8 after all-stock rebuild, & the auto trans, too.

Lowering was planned, but life got in the way, and the truck went "bye-bye."

Another later, maybe.